10 Uses for Distilled White Vinegar

Make your home a little greener by using distilled white vinegar for some of your household chores that regularly use harsher products.

1. Carpet Spot Remover:  Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and cornstarch.  Spread onto spot, working into carpet with a washcloth.  Let dry for at least 24 hours, preferably 48.  Vacuum over, and the spot should "lift" with the vacuuming.  Don't forget to spot test the carpet first, in an inconspicuous place.
2. Eliminate Mildew:  Use a spray bottle to apply vinegar on any surface that is mildew-prone.  This works great on the shower curtain or bottoms of rugs in the bathroom.
3. Shine Silver:  Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 2 tablespoons baking soda.  Use this as a soak for silverware or sterling jewelry.
4. Clean Your Microwave:  In a microwave-safe bowl, mix 1 cup water and 1/4 cup vinegar.  Sit bowl in middle of microwave and nuke for 5 minutes.  When mixture has cooled enough to handle, use it with a sponge to wipe down the inside of the microwave.
5. Air Refresher:  If you cook something that "invades" your home's air (such as seafood), mix 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup vinegar in a small saucepan.  Boil until the liquid is almost gone.  The vinegar smell will not linger for long.
6. Whiten Grout:  Use a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to scrub at the grout between the tiles.
7. Clean Your Washing Machine:  Add 2 cups of vinegar to your washing machine and run as usual without anything else in the machine.
8. All-Color Bleach:  Brighten your loads by adding 1/2 cup vinegar to the wash cycle.
9. Disinfect Toilet Bowls:  Pour 2 cups vinegar into toilet and let sit overnight, if possible.  Flush in the morning.  Do this once a week.
10. Clean Eyeglasses:  Apply a few drop of vinegar to a soft cloth and wipe glass lenses.