Beyond the Science Fair Volcano: The Wonderful Multiple Uses of Vinegar and Baking Soda

There is a lot to be said for humble vinegar. It comes in so many forms: white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar. Many of these specialty vinegars are sold in small bottles for a few dollars each. They are excellent to use when making vinaigrettes for salads. But what about plain white vinegar? The type that is used in pickling and is mostly relegated to coloring Easter eggs? Surprise! White distilled vinegar is one of the most versatile cleaners that there is. Combined with baking soda, this becomes a dynamic duo.

Baking soda and vinegar are both very inexpensive. In my part of the United States, a gallon of white distilled vinegar at the grocery store costs less than $2. If you mix the vinegar half and half with water, or 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water, you are stretching that dollar even further still. How's that for economical? This wonderful solution (and yes, you do get used to the smell and it does fade quickly) can be used on a multitude of cleaning projects around the house. Are your stainless steel bathroom fixtures dull? Wiping them down with vinegar will not only clean them (due to vinegar's acidity, it kills bacteria, according to The Vinegar Institute), it will make them shiny as well. Cleaning the toilet is also easy with vinegar. Spray on as you would any normal cleaner and scrub with your toilet brush. While you're cleaning the bathroom, go ahead and wipe down the mirror. Vinegar leaves a streak-free shine each time.

Vinegar also can help to clean your counter tops. Be careful not to use vinegar on marble, as its acidity can etch the stone. Particularly on laminate or engineered marble, vinegar works very well. Unlike with pop-up disposable wipes, you won't be throwing away sheets of paper made from virgin forests if you use rags with this great cleaner. Additionally, vinegar comes from organic sources, so no chemicals that could be potentially harmful to our environment or to our bodies is involved. Vinegar can also be put into the washing machine if your laundry has a smell to it. This works well with mildew smells in particular.

Baking soda is another wonderful household cleaning product. Added to vinegar, it foams up and helps to keep drains clear. Sprinkle it onto the carpet before you vacuum to help control odors. Add some to the bottom of a trash can or keep a box open in the refrigerator for the same reason. Smelly tennis shoes? Put some baking soda in an old sock, tie it shut, and stuff it into the sneaker to absorb odor when you are not wearing it. Use baking soda to scout stuck on food off of pans or just to scrub the bathtub or sink. It rinses away clean when you are done. When added to the wash, it helps to deodorize the laundry.

There are so many uses for these frugal, eco-friendly, and easy to find products. Give vinegar and baking soda a chance and your wallet will thank you. Our planet will too!

Sources: www.versatilevinegar.org/faqs.html