Vinegar vinegar everywhere!

So... if you look to the right under our frequented sites you will see that I have added a new site as of today... 1001 uses for vinegar. After seeing, on another site, that you can use vinegar as a fabric softener I decided to see what else you could use vinegar for around the house (I already knew that it was commonly used as a cleaning solution). Apparently it is highly useful in many ways. I suspect that many of the people who regular my blog are also looking for ways to cut their spending and perhaps live a little "greener". These ideas are simple ways to do both. I for one like the idea of no longer buying fabric softener (especially after looking at some of the ingredients in it) and no longer having to buy the wide assortment of cleaning products and disinfectants that we use! I have listed some of my favorite ideas from the website below, but don't take my word for it, go and check it out for yourself!

Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

Some stains on clothing and linens can be soaked out using equal parts milk and white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so then run hot water down the drain. *I have yet to try this, but one of my old neighbors says that she does this once a month in order to help prevent clogs*

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you find the pests coming in.

Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean the wheel of a can opener using white distilled vinegar and an old toothbrush.

Freshen air in the bathroom by spraying into the air a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup water.

Clean vinyl baby books or board books by wiping with white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.

***I also saw on another website that if you do not like the smell that using vinegar leaves behind when using it as a cleaner, to add two drops of vanilla! I will be trying this idea of for myself!***