White Vinegar Uses Around the Home
by Lec Watkins

Vinegar is a mildly acidic liquid, primarily made as a bi-product of the drink industry. Malt vinegar originally comes from beer production. So malt vinegar is the vinegar of choice in northern European, beer drinking countries. Wine vinegars originated in wine making regions and so is the preferred type in Mediterranean wine producing countries. Of course, rice wine vinegars come from the traditional rice wine makers of the Far East.

Clear white vinegars are the most useful around the home as they won't leave marks on soft furnishings. Plus if you're using vinegar to soak something, such as a toilet bowl, clear vinegar just looks better! Generally distilled malt vinegar will work out the most economical to use, though in some areas white wine vinegar will be the cheaper option.

Of course white vinegar can be used in the kitchen. Perhaps my favorite vinegar use is simply as a condiment on fries! So long as the vinegar has an acetic acid content of 5 percent or more it can safely be used in chutneys, preserves and pickles. The acidity of the vinegar used in home preserving is the main way the food 'keeps'. Bacteria and fungal organisms struggle to survive in acidic conditions so the vinegar preserves the food from attack.

Vinegar has lots of other uses besides those of a culinary nature though. It's acidity means it is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. So it makes an excellent multipurpose cleaner. As a surface cleaner vinegar prevents the build up of bacteria everywhere from kitchen work tops to bathroom toilet seats.

A regular squirt with vinegar can prevent mildew. Vinegar cuts through soap scum so is a brilliant on shower walls and glass. Vinegar is one of only a few ingredients you need to make homemade cleaning products for everywhere at home.

Mixed with oils (boiled linseed or vegetable based oils), vinegar can even be used to restore wood and leather. The vinegar cuts through grime while the oils feed and nourish the item.

White vinegar can be improved with the addition of essential oils so you can change the scent of your vinegar cleaner to suit your mood. You can create air fresheners or room deodorizers with vinegar and essential oils. Either spray them or leave in a bowl near a radiator for mellow scent and the absorption of nasty smells.

The author is researching various vinegar uses and vinegar cleaning recipes at the Clean With Vinegar site.

Lec Watkins may be contacted at http://www.catalangarden.com thegardener@catalangarden.com
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