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Vinegar and baking soda: a cleaning hack or just a bunch of fizz?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a></em></p> <p>Vinegar and baking soda are staples in the kitchen. Many of us have combined them in childhood scientific experiments: think fizzy volcanoes and geysers.</p> <p>But people also frequently mix vinegar and baking soda to produce a reportedly effective household cleaner. Unfortunately, the chemistry behind the bubbly reaction doesn’t support the cleaning hype. The fizzy action is essentially <a href="https://theconversation.com/six-surprising-things-about-placebos-everyone-should-know-220829">a visual “placebo</a>”, formed by the combination of an acid and a base.</p> <p>So, how does it work, and is it worth using these chemicals for cleaning? To understand all this, it helps to know a little more about chemistry.</p> <h2>What’s an acid?</h2> <p>Foods with a sour taste typically contain acids. These include citric acid in lemon juice, malic acid in apples, lactic acid in yoghurt and <a href="https://theconversation.com/kitchen-science-everything-you-eat-is-made-of-chemicals-56583">phosphoric acids in soft drinks</a>. Most vinegars contain around 4–10% acetic acid, the rest is water and small amounts of flavour chemicals.</p> <p>There are other naturally occurring acids, such as formic acid in ant bites and hydrochloric acid in our stomachs. Industrially, sulfuric acid is used in mineral processing, nitric acid for <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-ammonium-nitrate-the-chemical-that-exploded-in-beirut-143979">fertiliser manufacturing</a> and the highly potent hydrofluoric acid is used to etch glass.</p> <p>All of these acids share similar properties. They can all release hydrogen ions (positively charged atoms) into water. Depending on their potency, acids can also dissolve minerals and metals through various chemical reactions.</p> <p>This is why vinegar is an excellent cleaner for showers or kettles – it can react with and dissolve mineral deposits like limescale.</p> <p>Other common acidic cleaning ingredients are oxalic acid, used for revitalising timber decks, hydrochloric acid in concrete and masonry cleaners, and sulfamic acid in potent toilet cleaners.</p> <h2>What’s a base?</h2> <p>In chemistry, bases – the opposite of acids in many ways – can bind, rather than release hydrogen ions. This can help lift and dissolve insoluble grime into water. Bases can also break apart fat molecules.</p> <p>Baking soda (also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or bicarb) is a relatively weak base. Stronger common bases include sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium hydroxide (lye) and ammonia.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/spill-at-a-nuclear-facility-shows-potential-burn-risks-from-a-household-chemical-112763">Sodium hydroxide</a> is a potent drain cleaner – its strong base properties can dissolve fats and hair. This allows blockages to be broken down and easily flushed away.</p> <h2>Mixing a base and an acid</h2> <p>Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part.</p> <p>The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over <a href="https://www.chemedx.org/JCESoft/jcesoftSubscriber/CCA/CCA8/MAIN/8/06/2/4/movie.html">five litres of gas</a>! But only if you add enough acid.</p> <p>Reactions in chemistry often use equal quantities of chemical reagents. A perfect balance of acetic acid and baking soda would give you just water, carbon dioxide and sodium acetate.</p> <p>But the majority of vinegar and bicarb cleaner recipes use a large excess of one or the other components. An example from TikTok for a DIY oven cleaner calls for one and a half cups of baking soda and one quarter cup of vinegar.</p> <p>Crunching the numbers behind the chemical reaction shows that after the fizz subsides, over 99% of the added baking soda remains. So the active cleaning agent here is actually the baking soda (and the “elbow grease” of scrubbing).</p> <p>Ovens can be cleaned much more rigorously with stronger, sodium hydroxide based cleaners (although these are also more caustic). Many modern ovens also have a self-cleaning feature, so read your product manual before reaching for a chemical cleaner of any sort.</p> <h2>What about the sodium acetate?</h2> <p>Devotees of vinegar and baking soda mixtures might be wondering if the product of the fizzy reaction, sodium acetate, is the undercover cleaning agent.</p> <p>Unfortunately, sodium acetate is an even weaker base than baking soda, so it doesn’t do much to clean the surface you’re trying to scrub.</p> <p>Sodium acetate is used in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vABpel-11Nc">crystallisation-based heating packs</a> and as a concrete sealant, but not typically as a cleaner.</p> <p>Fun fact: sodium acetate can be combined with acetic acid to make a crystalline <a href="https://theconversation.com/busting-the-myth-that-all-food-additives-are-bad-a-quick-guide-for-label-readers-82883">food additive</a> called sodium diacetate. These crystals give the vinegar flavour to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0hEutu_goY">salt and vinegar chips</a> without making them soggy.</p> <h2>Sorry to burst your bubbles</h2> <p>There are a few rare cases where mixing vinegar and baking soda may be useful for cleaning. This is where the bubbling has a mechanical effect, such as in a blocked drain.</p> <p>But in most cases you’ll want to use either vinegar or baking soda by itself, depending on what you’re trying to clean. It will be less <a href="https://theconversation.com/visually-striking-science-experiments-at-school-can-be-fun-inspiring-and-safe-banning-is-not-the-answer-195362">visually exciting</a>, but it should get the job done.</p> <p>Lastly, remember that mixing cleaning chemicals at home can be risky. Always carefully read the product label and directions before engaging in DIY concoctions. And, to be extra sure, you can find out more safety information by reading the product’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-new-tiktok-trend-has-people-drinking-toxic-borax-an-expert-explains-the-risks-and-how-to-read-product-labels-210278">safety data sheet</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225177/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082"><em>Nathan Kilah</em></a><em>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vinegar-and-baking-soda-a-cleaning-hack-or-just-a-bunch-of-fizz-225177">original article</a>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Expert laundry tips you’ll wish you knew sooner

<p>Keep your clothes cleaner, your home greener and your electricity bill low with these expert laundry tips.</p> <p>By Anna-Kaisa Walker, <em>Reader’s Digest Canada</em></p> <p><strong>Go scent free</strong></p> <p>A 2011 study found that fragranced products cause dryer vents to emit seven compounds that contain hazardous air pollutants and two that are carcinogenic.</p> <p><strong>Choose products wisely</strong></p> <p>Even “unscented” brands may not be what they purport to be. “Unscented detergents can still contain fragrances to mask chemical smells,” says Lindsay Coulter, the David Suzuki Foundation’s green-living expert.</p> <p><strong>Try your hand at DIY</strong></p> <p>If you want to avoid mystery ingredients, make your own detergent. The David Suzuki Foundation recommends using ½ cup per load of a mixture of two teaspoons of salt, two tablespoons of baking soda, two tablespoons of liquid Castile soap and one litre of hot water.</p> <p><strong>Nix the essential oils</strong></p> <p>Don’t scent homemade detergent with essential oils. Some dryers heat up to about 57˚C, which is above the flashpoint for some essential oils.</p> <p><strong>A little vinegar goes a long way</strong></p> <p>If your towels are musty, add a cup of white vinegar or a cup of baking soda to your wash load (but not both at once).</p> <p><strong>Watch out for microfibres</strong></p> <p>Your fleece jacket made from recycled bottles likely contains microfibres – pollutants that account for 35 per cent of microplastics in the world’s oceans. “With every wash, your garments are shedding microfibres that end up in waterways and eventually in the food chain,” says Coulter. Special fibre-trapping bags can help keep them out of the drain.</p> <p><strong>You don’t always need chlorine</strong></p> <p>Instead of using chlorine bleach, disinfect your clothes by line drying. Sunlight’s ultraviolet rays are effective at killing bacteria in fabrics. Bonus: they’re free.</p> <p><strong>Don’t overuse detergent</strong></p> <p>Using more detergent won’t make clothes cleaner. Over time, excess detergent can build up and cause smelly residue inside your machine. Use the least amount of detergent possible – start with half the recommended amount, and if your clothes still come out clean, you can try reducing even further.</p> <p><strong>Clean your lint tray</strong></p> <p>Lint buildup in the filter and vents is a primary cause of the dozens of fires started by dryers every year in Toronto, says Papeo. “Empty your lint tray before every load and vacuum the filter and inside the trap from time to time.”</p> <p><strong>Your socks really are going missing</strong></p> <p>The real “sock monster” responsible for your missing hosiery? Your washing machine. Small items can slip past the rubber gasket on a front-loading washer, and get trapped underneath the drum. If you’re suspicious, get a pro to investigate, and wash all your socks in a mesh bag to prevent disappearances.</p> <p><em>Photos: Reader’s Digest</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="mailto:https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/expert-laundry-tips-youll-wish-you-knew-sooner">Reader’s Digest</a></em></p> <p><em> </em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

Home & Garden

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40 surprising uses for white vinegar

<p class="first-para">White vinegar is good for more than just poaching eggs! A cleaning champ, it inhibits the growth of mould, mildew and some bacteria, such as E.coli and salmonella. Plus, it’s 100 per cent green. Here are 40 ways you can tap into its natural magic.</p> <p><strong>1. Remove showerhead scum</strong></p> <p>Though oft overlooked, showerheads accumulate a build-up of soap scum, hard water minerals and bacteria over time. Want it looking like new again? Take a shower cap, pour some white vinegar inside and use a rubber band to secure it around the neck of your showerhead. Leave it overnight, then remove the bag and wipe down the showerhead with a lint-free cloth in the morning.  </p> <p><strong>2. Clean fruit and vegetables</strong></p> <p>Mix three parts water to one part vinegar in a spray bottle and use it on fruits and vegetables to rid them of pesticide residue. Rinse with water after spraying and before consuming.</p> <p><strong>3. Erase iron scorch marks</strong></p> <p>Forgot to turn down the heat setting on your iron? Get rid of light scorch marks on fabrics by rubbing gently with vinegar, then wiping with a clean cloth.</p> <p><strong>4. Restore shine to faucets and fixtures</strong></p> <p>Saturate a paper towel or microfibre cloth with white vinegar and secure on top. Leave for 15 minutes, then wipe away. They’re tough to remove, but this way you can have them looking shiny and new again.</p> <p><strong>5. Loosen rusty screws</strong></p> <p>Got a rusted screw that’s hard to budge? Pour vinegar onto it to help dislodge.</p> <p><strong>6. Disinfect microwaves</strong></p> <p>Steam clean your microwave by filling a bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar and microwaving on high for 5 minutes. This should loosen any gunk, so you can wipe it away easily.</p> <p><strong>7. Deodorise fridges</strong></p> <p>Is your fridge starting to smell a little funky? Give the shelves, walls and vegetable drawers a wipe down with equal parts water and white vinegar.</p> <p><strong>8. Deodorise Tupperware and lunchboxes</strong></p> <p>Swab your Tupperware and plastic takeaway containers with a microfibre cloth dampened with vinegar.</p> <p><strong>9. Treat carpet stains</strong></p> <p>Create a stain-removing solution by mixing two tablespoons of white vinegar and a ¼ cup of salt. Rub into the stain and allow it to dry before vacuuming the remains away the next day.</p> <p><strong>10. Revive paint brushes</strong></p> <p>Give them a refresh by soaking in white vinegar for an hour. Then place in a pot ­– bristles down – and bring to a simmer. Drain, rinse clean and allow to dry completely.</p> <p><strong>11. Get rid of static cling</strong></p> <p>Tired of lint sticking to your clothes? Add ½ a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static.</p> <p><strong>12. Freshen up your toilet bowl</strong></p> <p>Got icky toilet bowl residue? Hate the terrible blue colour of Cloros? Try filling a mason jar with white vinegar, punch a few holes in the lid and place the jar upside down in your toilet tank. A little bit of white vinegar will pour out every time you flush, keeping your tank clean and preventing future stains.</p> <p><strong>13. Erase coffee table rings</strong></p> <p>Forgot the coaster? Get rid of rings left by wet glasses on wooden tables by rubbing them with an equal mix of white vinegar and melted beeswax. This also works on melted candle wax.  </p> <p><strong>14. Make laundry less musty</strong></p> <p>Ew, damp smell! Nobody wants clothes that come out of the washing machine smellier than when they went in. If loads are coming out musty and unpleasant, add a cup of vinegar to the wash.</p> <p><strong>15. Clean washing machine</strong></p> <p>Clean your washing machine regularly to keep it working at maximum efficiency. Simply pour a cup of white vinegar into the drum and put on the hottest cycle. Then leave open to allow it to air out.</p> <p><strong>16. Remove clay marks</strong></p> <p>If you’re a keen crafter, or let your children get down and dirty with clay, stains are bound to happen. First, allow it to dry completely. If scraping then washing doesn’t work, mix one cup of white vinegar with three tablespoons of iodised salt and spread over the stain.</p> <p><strong>17. Remove sweat stains</strong></p> <p>Got sweat stains on your favourite shirts? Spray them with white vinegar. The acetic acid helps to neutralise the stain. Leave for 30 minutes then launder as usual. This tip works best on synthetic fabrics such as viscose, acetate and acrylic.</p> <p><strong>18. Disinfect your dishwasher</strong></p> <p>To disinfect the interior, fill a small bowl with vinegar and place it at the bottom of the dishwasher, then run an empty cycle.</p> <p><strong>19. Streak-free windows</strong></p> <p>Mix white vinegar with an equal amount of warm water plus a squirt of liquid detergent and you’ve got an effective window cleaning solution to use with newspaper – streak-free and squeaky clean. You can also use this solution to polish glassware stained with white marks from mineral deposits.</p> <p><strong>20. Remove deodorant stains</strong></p> <p>Take care of icky yellow deodorant stains. Soak them in white vinegar and brush the stains with an old, clean toothbrush. Then launder as normal. This works on both white and colour clothes.</p> <p><strong>21. Unclog drains and garbage disposals</strong></p> <p>Unclog your garbage disposals, drains and the pipes they’re attached to with this all-natural cleaning solution. Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the sinkhole. Follow this up with a ½ cup of bicarb soda and leave for 30 minutes. Then pour one cup of boiling water mixed with one cup of white vinegar. Cover with a drain plug and leave for 15 minutes ­– the chemical reaction should dislodge the grimy sludge – before flushing one more time with a pot of boiling water.</p> <p><strong>22. Perk up droopy flowers</strong></p> <p>Adding two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to the vase can help revive a sad-looking bouquet.</p> <p><strong>23. Clean your coffeemaker</strong></p> <p>Pour equal parts vinegar and water into the main chamber, and then switch on the brew cycle. Halfway through, switch the machine off to let it soak. Then switch on again until the cycle completes. Run several more cycles with clean water before making your morning espresso.  </p> <p><strong>24. Care for handbags and shoes</strong></p> <p>A microfibre cloth dampened with vinegar works wonders on scuffed leather, helping to hide the marks and restore shine.</p> <p><strong>25. Nix weeds</strong></p> <p>Got weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway? Pour white vinegar onto them and allow it to soak into the roots.  </p> <p><strong>26. Spray on mouldy walls</strong></p> <p>Spray white vinegar directly on the area and leave for 30 minutes, then wash with a brush and allow it to dry thoroughly. This works best on tiles and other non-porous materials. Remember, vinegar can scratch granite, stone and marble, so avoid using it on these surfaces.</p> <p><strong>27. Prevent mould on cheese</strong></p> <p>You can prevent the growth of mould by wrapping them in a cloth dampened with vinegar, then placing in the fridge.</p> <p><strong>28. Use as a fabric freshener</strong></p> <p>A spray bottle of white vinegar quickly neutralises odours – including stale cigarette smoke – on carpets, curtains and even in your sneakers.</p> <p><strong>29. Restore shower curtains</strong></p> <p>Keep a spray bottle in the bathroom so you can use it – on shower curtains and the side of the bathtub ­ – after you’re done.</p> <p><strong>30. Prevent frosty windshields</strong></p> <p>Prevent morning frost by coating your windshield with a solution of three parts vinegar to one part water. The acidity prevents ice from building up. </p> <p><strong>31. Adding gloss to your dog’s coat</strong></p> <p>Keep it glossy and shiny by sponging or spraying on white vinegar after bathing. The vinegar’s acidity reduces bacteria, cuts odours and helps to prevent fleas and ticks.</p> <p><strong>32. Deodorise litter boxes</strong></p> <p>Can you smell your cat’s litter box even when it’s empty? Pour in half an inch of white vinegar and let it stand for 20 minutes before rinsing with cold water.</p> <p><strong>33. Remove gum</strong></p> <p>Remove gum from fabric or hair by pouring warm vinegar onto the area. Leave to saturate and the gum will eventually dissolve.</p> <p><strong>34. Repair DVDs</strong></p> <p>Got a DVD that skips or freezes? Use a microfibre cloth dampened with vinegar and wipe it down in a circular motion. Allow to completely dry before reinserting it.</p> <p><strong>35. An extra relaxing soak</strong></p> <p>Add ½ cup of white vinegar to your bath water. A natural remedy for dry and itchy skin, it helps to remove dead skin and leaves you feeling extra soft and smooth. You can also rinse your hair with a diluted vinegar solution to prevent dandruff, remove hair product build-up and restore shine.</p> <p><strong>36. Every last drop from condiment bottles</strong></p> <p>Get the last remaining bits of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the bottle by dribbling in a few drops of vinegar. Put the lid on tight and give it a shake to dislodge those final squirts.</p> <p><strong>37. Remove sticker residue</strong></p> <p>Simply apply vinegar to the sticker gunk and let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping away with a lint-free cloth.</p> <p><strong>38. Erase crayon</strong></p> <p>Has your tiny tot left crayon marks on the walls and floor? Soak a clean toothbrush with white vinegar and gently scrub</p> <p><strong>39. Clean piano keys</strong></p> <p>Mix ½ cup of white vinegar and two cups of water. Dip a microfibre cloth into the solution and wring out until just slightly wet. Gently wipe each key. Use a second cloth to wipe the keys dry and leave the keyboard uncovered for at least 24 hours.</p> <p><strong>40. Test soil</strong></p> <p>If you suspect your garden soil is too acidic or alkaline, conduct this test: Place a handful of soil in a container and pour in ½ cup white vinegar. If it fizzes or bubbles, it’s alkaline. To see if your soil has a high acidity, mix the soil with ½ cup of water and ½ cup of bicarb soda. If it fizzes, it indicates acid in the soil. Generally, plants grow best in neutral or slightly acidic soil, so pH levels that are out of whack may need the advice of a professional. </p> <p><em>Written by </em>Kathleen Lee-Joe<em>. First appeared on</em> <a href="https://www.domain.com.au"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain</span></em><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><strong>Related Links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/%20http:/www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2017/02/6-kitchen-tips-and-tricks/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>6 essential tips and tricks for your kitchen</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2017/02/tips-for-canned-food-safety/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Canned food safety tips to avoid food poisoning</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2017/02/five-tips-for-an-organised-freezer/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 tips to help you perfectly organise your freezer</strong></em></span></a></p>

Home & Garden

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Raspberry vinegar cordial

<p>The perfect spring fix -a cool, refreshing drink in the sun. This recipe is great for BBQ’s, picnics, or just lazy afternoons. The twist? Rather than topping the concentration with water, add in some bubbles for a non-alcoholic spritzer.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients: </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>450g of red raspberries</li> <li>2 cups apple cider vinegar</li> <li>4 ½ cups sugar or to taste</li> <li>Ice</li> <li>Tonic or soda water</li> <li>Extra raspberries or mint sprigs</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Put the raspberries in a large bowl and mash with a wooden spoon. Stir in the apple cider vinegar as you mash.</li> <li>Cover the bowl with glad wrap and let the liquid stand until it deepens in colour. You should let it sit for at least 24 hours, but no more than 36.</li> <li>Bring the mixture to boil over heat, cooking for 10 minutes before removing.</li> <li>There should now be a layer of foam on the surface of the mixture. Skim the foam off using a wooden spoon and let it cool before refrigerating.</li> <li>To serve, fill each glass with ice, add 3 tbsp. of the cordial and top with tonic or soda water.</li> <li>Garnish the glasses with raspberries of mint sprigs for a holiday feeling.</li> </ol> <p>Who would you like to share a jug of this spring refreshment with? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/peach-and-raspberry-cordial/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Peach and raspberry cordial</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/02/elderflower-and-mint-champagne-cocktails/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Elderflower and mint champagne cocktails</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/blood-orange-margaritas/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Blood orange margaritas</span></em></strong></a></p>

Food & Wine

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6 places you SHOULDN’T use vinegar around the home

<p>We’ll be the first to tell you that there are countless <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/08/uses-for-vinegar/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">great ways to use vinegar around the home</span>.</strong></a> But did you know that there are some places the acidic liquid should never touch?</p> <p><strong>Granite countertops –</strong> If you invested in granite countertops, you probably want to take care of them. Avoid using vinegar on marble, soapstone or granite as it can cause them to lose their coveted shine.</p> <p><strong>Hardwood floors –</strong> Vinegar is an acid, which means it can cause erosion to your stain/sealant on your beautiful hardwood floors. Skip the vinegar and use soap and water/wood floor cleaner.</p> <p><strong>Dishwasher –</strong> As an acid, vinegar can also erode the rubber components of your appliances.</p> <p>Carbon steel knives – Avoid using vinegar on steel knives as it can cause them to rust. Instead use soap and water.</p> <p><strong>An iron –</strong> Like your dishwasher, vinegar can cause damage to the inside of your iron should you attempt to clean it out with the acidic liquid.</p> <p><strong>Anything egg –</strong> If you have a mess as a result of a dropped (or thrown?) egg, don’t use vinegar to clean it up as you might other surfaces. You know how when you poach an egg, vinegar helps the egg to coagulate? The same thing will happen on your home surfaces and cause a more extensive mess. </p>

News

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15 clever uses for apple cider vinegar

<p>Who doesn’t love a product with loads of different uses? We’ve talked before about the wonder of coconut oil and even baking soda for uses around the house. Today we look at apple cider vinegar. </p> <p>Not just for salad dressing, ACV has so many uses. Try these and see for yourself. For maximise health benefit, look for organics ACV that says “With mother”. </p> <p><strong>1. Cleaning</strong></p> <p>No need to use harsh chemicals around the house, just pop equal amounts of ACV and water into a spray bottle and away you go.</p> <p><strong>2. Odours</strong></p> <p>If you have a problem with a smell in the house, such as dampness or smoke from cooking, just place some ACV in a shallow bowl near the site. Leave it there until the smell is gone.</p> <p><strong>3. Weeds</strong></p> <p>Who knew that ACV could be used to get rid of weeds in the garden. Just pour it directly on the weedy areas.</p> <p><strong>4. Pets</strong></p> <p>Mix up a bottle of half ACV and half water. Rub this onto dogs and cats as a way to repel fleas.</p> <p><strong>5. Dandruff</strong></p> <p>Grab a cup of water and add a tablespoon of ACV. Mix well. Use this to rinse your hair in the shower.</p> <p><strong>6. Deodorant</strong></p> <p>Keep underarm smells away with a swipe of ACV. The vinegar smell will evaporate as it dries, so don’t worry. </p> <p><strong>7. Warts</strong></p> <p>Simply dampen a cotton ball with ACV and secure to the affected area overnight with tape or a band aid.</p> <p><strong>8. Sunburn </strong></p> <p>Add a cup of ACV to a cool bath to ease the sting of sunburn.</p> <p><strong>9. Bruises</strong></p> <p>The anti-inflammatory properties of ACV mean it’s perfect to get rid of bruises on the skin. Wipe on some ACV using a cotton ball to help minimise the colour.</p> <p><strong>10. Teeth</strong></p> <p>Try this before forking out cash on a whitening product. Rub it into your teeth and then rinse with water.</p> <p><strong>11. Feet</strong></p> <p>Some shoes just seem to cause smelly feet. Use a splash of ACV on a baby wipe and give those feet a rub down to remove odours.</p> <p><strong>12. Soup</strong></p> <p>Add a splash of ACV to your soup for a great hit of flavour.</p> <p><strong>13. Muscles</strong></p> <p>Overdone it and feeling the burn? Relieve sore muscles by rubbing some ACV into the affected area.</p> <p><strong>14. Itches</strong></p> <p>If you have a mosquito bite or jellyfish sting, ACV can help get rid of the itchiness.</p> <p><strong>15. Sore throat</strong></p> <p>Make yourself a mixture (half water, half ACV) to gargle to get rid of germs in your throat.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/household-items-youre-cleaning-wrong/">6 household items you’re cleaning wrong</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/10/things-to-ban-from-kitchen/">Surprising items to never take into the kitchen</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/09/starting-a-vegetable-garden/">Beginner’s guide to starting a vegetable garden</a></em></strong></span></p>

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20 great uses for vinegar

<p>Avoid harsh and expensive chemicals by stocking up on this economical cleaner. You can use vinegar inside and outside the home for some great results.</p> <p><strong>1. Sterilise kids’ plastic bottles</strong></p> <p>Wash them in warm water and vinegar, then store in the freezer to eliminate germs.</p> <p><strong>2. Freshen up shoes</strong></p> <p>Spray the inside of the offending shoes with vinegar, pop the shoes in a paper bag and freeze overnight to be fresh in the morning.</p> <p><strong>3. Get rid of weeds</strong></p> <p>Avoid harsh chemicals that could affect pets, kids or the environment by using vinegar in a spray bottle instead. The weeds will be gone within 24 hours.</p> <p><strong>4. Prime your surface</strong></p> <p>Before you start painting a wall, door or table, wipe it down all over with vinegar and it will help the paint adhere better.</p> <p><strong>5. Protect from pests</strong></p> <p>Keep rabbits out of your veggie patch by soaking old rags in vinegar and placing them near the plants. Replace them weekly.</p> <p><strong>6. Clean out a smelly drain</strong></p> <p>Pour a cup of baking soda down the sink, and then add a cup of white vinegar. The chemical reaction causes it to fizz up and clean out the pipe. When the fizzing stops, flush the drain out with a kettle full of hot water.</p> <p><strong>7. Remove bird mess</strong></p> <p>Get rid of bird poo from your car or outdoor furniture by spraying with vinegar before wiping it off.</p> <p><strong>8. Tenderise meat</strong></p> <p>Add a splash of vinegar to your marinade to help tenderise tougher cuts of meat.</p> <p><strong>9. Eliminate fruit flies</strong></p> <p>Fill a little plastic dish with red cider vinegar and cover it with plastic wrap. Make a few holes on the top with a skewer and leave it to work its magic.</p> <p><strong>10. Reduce red spots</strong></p> <p>After washing your face, dampen a cotton ball with a solution of one part vinegar to 10 parts water to help clear up blemishes.</p> <p><strong>11. Sooth nappy rash</strong></p> <p>Add a quarter cup vinegar to baby's bath to help soothe a sore red bottom.</p> <p><strong>12. Clean your glasses</strong></p> <p>Spray a small amount of white vinegar on your lenses and then wipe clean with a lint free cloth.</p> <p><strong>13. Mini manicure</strong></p> <p>Soak your fingertips in white vinegar for five minutes each week. It will help make your nails stronger and cuticles softer.</p> <p><strong>14. Clean toothbrushes</strong></p> <p>Keep germs at bay by soaking your brushes in vinegar before rinsing with water.</p> <p><strong>15. Remove food odours</strong></p> <p>If you’ve been chopping up garlic or onions, wash your hands with soapy water, then pour over some white vinegar before giving a final rinse in warm water.</p> <p><strong>16. Remove stickers</strong></p> <p>Spritz some vinegar on sticky labels, and then rub off.</p> <p><strong>17. Steam clean the microwave</strong></p> <p>Fill a glass bowl or jug with a quarter cup of vinegar and one cup of water. Microwave on full power for five minutes before wiping clean.</p> <p><strong>18. Remove wrinkles from clothes</strong></p> <p>Make up a spray bottle with one part vinegar and three parts water. Spray lightly on wrinkled shirts or trousers to remove wrinkles without ironing. The wrinkles will disappear as the solution evaporates.</p> <p><strong>19. Pre-clean your loo</strong></p> <p>Add half a cup of white vinegar to the toilet bowl, leave for 10 minutes and then clean as normal.</p> <p><strong>20. Clean your scissors</strong></p> <p>Wipe your scissor blades with a soft cloth soaked in white vinegar to remove any stickiness or grime.</p>

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