The folks here at Ray Monczka Painting and Repair have some thoughts about vinegar.
The verdict? It’s quite amazing.
There are several different kinds of vinegar, including cleaning vinegar, distilled white vinegar, and several kinds of cooking vinegar, but for this list, we’re going to focus on plain ‘ol white vinegar, which is your most commonly known type. This particular kind of vinegar is made from starchy plants and grains and consists of acetic acid and water. It possesses an acetic acid level between 5% and 20%. White vinegar is highly effective as an antiseptic and has achieved rock-star status when it comes to cleaning.
Here are six ways it can make your life easier:
- Stain remover
You know your light-colored blouses and shirts, the ones with the pesky underarm stains? You can rescue them from the back of your closet: Vinegar is especially good for removing those stains, which can be made worse by antiperspirants with aluminum. Spray full-strength vinegar onto stains before washing. - Clean electronics
Vinegar can make dirty keyboards, printers, and other devices look good as new. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a bowl, and then—using either a damp cloth or Q-tip—clean the area directly. (Refrain from spraying vinegar directly on electronics, of course.) - De-gunk your shower head
If you have hard water, deposits can form on your shower head and slow the flow of water over time. Vinegar can help dissolve these deposits and get your showerhead working properly again in one of two methods: Remove your shower head and place it in a Ziplock bag full of vinegar to let it soak, or you can place the bag of vinegar over the showerhead in the shower and use a rubber band to hold it in place. Let the showerhead soak in the vinegar for a few hours, or even overnight. When it’s done soaking, just give it a scrub with a sponge or brush. - Clean thermoses
If you or your child schleps a thermos to work or school, you probably know how difficult they can be to clean—especially if you can’t get your hand inside it to clean it effectively. Do this: Fill the thermos with a ¾ water and ¼ vinegar solution, then add a small amount of uncooked rice. Close the thermos and shake. Rinse well and let air dry. - Hair rinse
Vinegar is actually good for your hair. Who knew? Simply add ½ a tablespoon to a cup of water and use it as a part of your final rinse. It cuts residue and helps close the cuticle. - Clean scissors
Your poor scissors. After opening everything from cardboard boxes covered in tape, packages of food, and everything in between, it’s not uncommon for a gooey-gross film to develop inside their blades. Wipe the blades with a rag or sponge soaked in vinegar and—bam!—goo be gone. And unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t cause rust or ruin the blades.
