If you are a homeowner then you know that keeping your home in top shape can be tedious and difficult.  When you own a home you need to be proactive if you want to keep it  in good, clean shape. This means preventing problems from happening in the first place instead of merely reacting to them when they pop up.

This means adhering to a home maintenance checklist or a preventive maintenance schedules. Also, make sure that you have complete equipment ready. Here are the top 15 maintenance tasks that you need to do at least once a year.

Lighting Fixtures – One of the things that should fall in your maintenance management list is the lighting fixtures. Test them regularly and let the to-do list remind you about this. You want to check all of the lamps, fixtures,  and even ceiling fans for any bulbs that are busted, blown out, or  outright missing. Replace any broken or missing bulbs. If  you have to replace your bulbs and would like to save money on your  energy bill, then you should try switching over to CFL bulbs.

Dryer Vent – It is very important that you regularly clean your clothes dryer vent. Not only will this reduce fire hazards, it will keep your dryer running smoothly.

Rugs & Carpets – You want to ensure that your carpets  and rugs are in good condition. This means that you will have to  inspect them regularly. If you see any rips, tears, stains, or mold  then you want to contact a professional rug and carpet cleaning specialist for help. If that does not work then you may have to  replace the carpet or rug altogether.

Fire Extinguisher – You want to be sure to always have at least one fire extinguisher in your home. You will need to check the expiration date on the extinguisher to ensure that it will work. If it is past its expiration date then dispose of it and replace it. If you have smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors at home, that you include them in your schedule template to make sure they are working when needed.

Air Ducts – Next thing in the cleaning list is your air conditioner parts. It is critical that you have your air filters and air ducts cleaned out in your home. This needs to be done on an annual basis for good air conditioning and it can be done either by yourself or by a maintenance technician.

Caulk Inventory – You want to go around your home and check to see if every area that requires caulk, such as counter tops, tile, or bathtubs, are not missing caulk. If they are missing caulk then you need to go around and replace the caulk that is missing.

Pest Control – Don’t forget to include pest control on your cleaning schedule if you don’t want to see bugs and other insects flying or crawling around your home. One of the worst problems a home owner can face is that of bugs and other pests. You want to be sure to have an appointment with pest control service at least once a year.

Clean The Chimney – Always include the chimney in your cleaning checklist if you own one. You should also know how it can get messy over time. This is why you want to hire a professional chimney sweep to clean your chimney. The best time to have this done is in the early days of Autumn before you are likely to use your fireplace on a regular basis. This will ensure optimal performance from your fireplace.

Those who don’t own the chimney can  check their gutters and downspouts instead. Make sure they are in tip-top shape and hire the right service types if heavy amount of professional work order is required to fix the issues.

Pressure Wash – You want to keep the outside of your home looking clean, and one of the best ways to make that happen is to use a pressure washer. You can either rent a power washer or hire a professional to clean your home’s siding, deck, or patio. If you utilize yearly cleanings then you will greatly reduce the risk of mold growth and infestation around your home. On top of that the end results look great.

Inspect Appliances – You need to inspect any appliances with water lines or attached hoses. If you discover wear and tear or leakage then you need to have those components replaced by a professional.

Electrical Outlets – You need to also look around your home’s electrical outlets. If you find any frayed wires, plugs that fit too lose, or any other form of potential fire hazard then you need to stop using that outlet immediately and call an electrician who can repair the damages.

Enterances – You need to also inspect your walkways and stairs that lead up to your home. Potential threats, such as lifting concrete or sloping, or handrails in need to repaired. You can have the area professionally repaired and adjusted by an expert.

Mold – If you want to prevent mold growth and keep the tile in your home looking clean, then you need to seal the grout lines at least once a year. Professional tile and grout cleaning is offered many firms locally along with free grout sealing.

Landscape Review – Walk around the property and look for any overgrown shrubs or trees which may need pruning. DO NOT attempt to prune branches or trees located near power lines. Contact your local utility company for assistance.

Insulation – Check the insulation, adding a layer could save on energy costs. While reviewing the insulation look for any potential stains in the roof when a water leak could be starting.

Keeping an eye out for potential problems and handling them early can save you potentially thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair, and countless of headaches. It is never to late to start home maintenance.

Hardwood floors are always a beautiful feature to have in a home. However, in order to maintain that  beauty, one needs to be sure to take special care and considerations when cleaning hardwood floors. After all, if you do not properly and carefully clean your floors you risk losing their beauty forever.

If you want to avoid this problem and having to spend money to replace any damaged areas then you’ll to find natural methods to clean your hardwood floors. Here are some natural, eco-friendly homemade cleaners that can help you achieve naturally clean hardwood floors.

Why Clean With Natural Solutions?

It is very important to use natural cleaners on hardwood floors. This is because store bought hardwood floor cleaners and even the all-purpose cleaner contain chemicals that can actually do long term damage to the floors  as well as the environment.

If you read the contents of what goes into a bottle of store bought cleaner you will probably not be  able to recognize many of the ingredients. However, if you are  making your own cleaner you know exactly what is going onto your hardwood flooring or laminate floors.

Homemade Floor Cleaners

If you want to keep your hard wood flooring cleaner in a simple manner, then you cannot be much simpler than vinegar and water. You can use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, essential oil, or even distilled water vinegar in your hardwood floor cleaner.

You want to be sure to mix one cup of vinegar for every gallon of water, though you will most likely want  to do this in a bucket rather than trying to bottle it on your own. You want to be sure that you wring your mop out before you begin floor cleaning.

You do not want to use a wet mop  as it will dilute the cleaner and make a bigger mess. Instead you want to use a damp mop or a steam mop. The vinegar in the cleaning solution will remove any stains or slight odors that are on the floor.

If you want to have a shiner floor then you can mix equal parts vegetable oil or olive oil and distilled water together. You want to place this cleaning solution in a spray bottle instead of a bucket.

Spray it on your floor and then wipe it down using a soft and clean cloth. Try a microfiber cloth which thoroughly cleans any surface such as tile floors, bamboo floors, prefinished wood floors. After you have done an initial wipe-down you need to  use a different clean cloth to wipe it down again to pick up any excess particles and really bring the floor’s shine out.

You may also use a solutions of dish soap as murphy’s oil soap, woca natural soap, castile soap and other dish soap made of essential oils.

It is essential that you clean your laminate flooring every day with a natural homemade floor cleaner. You need to at least be sure to sweep the floor every day so that you can remove the particles that build up.

Place a rug near doors so that you and your family can wipe your feet and keep any unwanted particles from getting on your clean wood floors. You need to also be sure that you clean any spills immediately before the liquid has a chance to penetrate the wood.

If you do not do this you could have an even worse mess on your hands that will prove quite difficult to clean.

Dealing With Stains

If you want to get stains then you want to use a clean cloth with 3% hydrogen peroxide. You want to make sure to remove the excess. You want to put the cloth directly onto the stain and then cover it with a plastic.

You need to take a heavy object such as a book or paperweight and press the cloth on the stain  firmly. After three hours you want to check. The stain should be gone, but if it is not then repeat the process until it is gone.

Cleaning hardwood floors with cleaning products may sound easy. However, you will need to remind yourself of how the chemicals in different floor cleaners affect the quality of your engineered wood flooring overtime. Consider the above simple cleaning tips and natural ways to clean hard wood floors.

Thousands of years ago, people discovered a product with the potential to change many lives – Vinegar. It was an instant hit and quickly became used by the Babylonians, Romans, and Greek as a preservative. Some, like the Chinese, believed vinegar could improve vitality and strength. It also had healing properties.

Acetic Acid, the magic ingredient in vinegar, is one of the most popular and oldest products in the market. Many different kinds of vinegar are produced. However, white vinegar is considered the most versatile, affordable and useful.

White vinegar has numerous household applications, is eco-friendly, making it popular with those avoiding harsh or toxic cleaning chemicals and such substances around their children and pets.

It does not irritate allergies like other cleaners with a fragrance. White vinegar can be used for many other tasks around the home and in the kitchen.

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The collection of uses and tips below come from many sources, consumer suggestions, articles on the web and other published sources. These tips and uses are for informational purposes and have not been tested. Review them, check them out and try them for yourself.

We’ve also included some recommendations on items and surfaces you should NOT use vinegar on. Enjoy the collection of vinegar uses below:

Using White Vinegar As An All-Purpose Cleaner

Removing Carpet Stains

Materials Needed:

• One teaspoon of white distilled vinegar
• One teaspoon liquid detergent
• 1-pint warm water also clean water
• One towel or soft brush
• One hair dryer or fan

To remove non-oily stains from the carpet combine a mixture of one teaspoon of white distilled vinegar with a teaspoon of liquid detergent in a pint of warm water. Using a towel or soft brush apply the mixture on the stain and rub gently.

Use a moist towel with clean water and blot dry. Repeat the process until you remove the stain completely. Dry using a hair dryer or a fan. Trying to remove the spot as soon as possible produces the best results.

Vinegar can also loosen chewing gum stuck to your rugs, carpeting, and car upholstery.

Floors – No-Wax

Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to lukewarm water (half a gallon) and use this solution to wash no-wax floors.

Have you been asking about how to clean hardwood floors with vinegar? So much depends on the finish of your floor. If you have any doubts, only use a cleaner designed for hardwood floors. Most recommend NOT USING vinegar on hardwood floors as the vinegar will strip the finish.

Washing Woodwork

Using vinegar is one of the best ways to clean woodwork, wash painted walls and Venetian blinds. Combine 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, 1 cup of ammonia and a 1/4 baking soda with a gallon of lukewarm water.

Using this solution for cleaning will not only help remove dirt and grime from the surfaces quickly but will not leave streaks or dull the painted finish.

Streakless Windows

To prevent streaks on the windows and make your windows sparkling clean, combine equal quantities of white distilled vinegar with lukewarm water. Use this solution to clean the windows using a soft cloth, wipe the windows dry. Microfibre cloths work well for washing and drying.

Remove Alcohol or Water Marks on Wood

“Fix” rings on wood surfaces left behind by water condensation from glasses sitting on wood surfaces or other such marks. Combine equal quantities of white vinegar and olive oil or vegetable oil and rub into the area to remove irritating water and alcohol stains. You can use the same mixture as a furniture polish.

When cleaning waxed furniture be careful! Vinegar will strip the coating of wax right off of your furniture, resulting in a dull looking finish. A safe solution is to apply a furniture polish designed for use on waxed furniture.

Clean Those Worn DVD’s

Bring dirty or scuffed DVDs back to life by wiping them with white vinegar and a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD’s dry completely before playing them in the DVD player.

Vinergar Uses For Cleaning The Kitchen

Cleaning Automatic Coffee Maker

Using vinegar is one of the best ways of getting rid of mineral deposits accumulated in automatic coffee drip maker due to hard water. Using white distilled vinegar fill the reservoir and run the vinegar through a brewing cycle. One the cycle finishes rinse the tank using warm water. I always triple rinse with hot water. For specific instructions check the owner’s manual.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Use a soft cloth dipped white vinegar helps when cleaning stainless steel appliances and makes it easier to eliminate streaking. However, before using vinegar, apply it first on an unnoticeable area before using on the whole appliance.

As we shared above Vinegar is a powerful acid. The Acetic Acid can etch marble and granite counters found in today’s modern kitchen. Instead of using vinegar on a granite or marble countertop, clean using warm water and a liquid dishwashing soap. This should clean without damage.

Polishing Brass, Copper, and Pewter

Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in one cup of distilled white vinegar and blend the mixture with flour until the becomes a paste. Apply this paste to your brass, pewter or copper items and allow it to stay on for about 15- 20 minutes, Use clean, warm water to rinse and polish after they dry completely.

Say No To Vinegar on Carbon Steel Blades unless you want them to turn black.

Clean The Microwave

Steam produced from a bowl of boiling water and vinegar can loosen stubborn food from your dishes. It can also help you get rid of bad odors in your microwave. Add one-quarter cup of white vinegar to one cup of water and boil this solution in the microwave. This will help loosen food splatters and act as a natural deodorant.

Disinfect and Clean Wood Cutting Boards

Apply white distilled vinegar at full strength and wipe wood cutting boards to clean and disinfect.

Refresh Kitchen Drain

Once a week, pour 1 cup of white distilled vinegar down the kitchen drain. Allow the vinegar to stand for about 30 – 45 minutes before flushing with cold water.

Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Make one tray of vinegar ice cubes by combining one cup of vinegar and enough water to fill the tray, then freeze. Run the cubes through the disposal. Then flush the disposal using cold water for about a minute.

OR

Use white vinegar to deodorize and clean the garbage disposal. Mix equal parts of baking soda and vinegar to put it down the sink or drain. Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes, flush out your drain with warm water, and enjoy a stink-free, clean sink.

For both the above methods: When done I like to put two cut up lemons in the disposal, turn on the water and then turn on the disposal for a lemony fresh smell.

Clean Refrigerator

Mix equal quantities of water with white distilled water to wipe down and wash inside your refrigerator for a thorough cleaning.

Eliminate Gnats/Fruit Flies in the Kitchen

Leave a bowl with water, 2 tablespoons of Bragg’s apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of sugar or some mashed fruit along with a few drops of dish soap to attract fruit flies. Cover the bowl with clear plastic wrap. Poke holes in the plastic wrap. Make sure you remove the source of attraction (ripened produce).

Ant Prevention

Wash cabinets, counter tops, and floors with distilled vinegar to help keep ant invasion at bay.

Getting Rid of Refrigerator Odor

Put a glass in the refrigerator filled with one cup of apple cider vinegar. This should eliminate any odor within two days.

Dish and Glass Cleaning

In case your stemware gets a bit cloudy from your dishwasher, you can wrap the glasses in clean paper towels soaked in white vinegar. Allow the glasses to sit for some time. The cloudy deposits will easily rinse off.

Dishwashers

Many DIY’s across the web have shared the following:

Along with the regular dishwasher soap, pour one to two cups of white distilled vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher along, then wash through a full cycle.

However, adding vinegar may help get dishes clean, but the vinegar can be harsh on any rubber parts inside your dishwasher. Skip the vinegar and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Using Vinegar As A Cleaning Product In The Bathroom

Shower Doors

To get rid of soap residues from shower doors, rub them down with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar.

Unclog and Clean Faucets and Showerheads

Shower heads and faucets may become clogged from corrosion or a buildup of calcium. Use white distilled vinegar to remove the corrosion from faucets and showerheads by soaking them. Saturate a small towel in vinegar and wrap the showerhead or faucet and allow it to sit overnight.

Others suggest taking a plastic bag, filling it with vinegar, then placing showerhead in the filled bag, tying it off and allowing it to “soak” overnight.

Bathtub Film

Using white vinegar followed by soda to easily help eliminate soap scum and film build up on a bathtub. Use clean water for the final rinse.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Using white distilled vinegar and a brush can help remove even the most stubborn stains from your toilet. In fact, adding 3 cups of distilled white vinegar to your toilet bowl and allowing it to sit for 30- 45 before flushing it will help effectively deodorize the bowl.

Cleaning Grout or Tile

You don’t need to use bleach on your tile or grouting. You can simply let white vinegar properly soak on it, and just scrub with a basic toothbrush.

Vinegar in the Laundry Room

Freshen Baby Clothes

To help keep baby clothes soft and fresh, add one cup of distilled white vinegar in the water of the rinse cycle. This will not only help break down the uric acid and remove odors from the clothes but will also help get rid of any soapy residue, making the clothes fresh and soft.

If a toddler has an accident’ on the mattress, clean it with white vinegar and water. Once you’re done, pour some quality baking soda on the mattress then vacuum or brush the residue away.

Blanket Renewal

To make your wool and cool blankets fluffy, soft and free of soap odor, add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar to the final rinse cycle of the machine.

Wine Stains

Removing wine stains from permanent press fabrics, cotton polyester, and 100 percent cotton clothes are best when done within 24 hours. To remove wine stains from these fabrics, use a sponge and apply vinegar directly on the stains. Gently rub the spot. However, ensure that you follow the instructions given on the manufacturer’s care tag.

Better Clothes Cleaning

White distilled vinegar is gentle on fabrics but strong enough to break alkalizes in detergents and soaps. Therefore, adding one cup of vinegar to the final rinse cycle of the machine will help your clothes rinse better, making them softer and cleaner.

DO NOT Clean clothes with vinegar and bleach mix! When you mix vinegar and bleach it creates a toxic chlorine gas. The gas alone is bad enough for you. Mixing it with water will completely ruin your clothing. More

Deodorant Stained Clothes

Spray vinegar on deodorant-stained shirts. This makes it possible to remove the discoloration. Vinegar can also fight off tomato sauce, ketchup or mustard stains.

Add a cup of vinegar to your washing machine to freshen up your clothes. Acetic Acid does not harm your fabrics but dissolves the cleaning soap’s residue, so it does not dull dark clothing. White vinegar can also act as a static reducer, mildew inhibitor, and fabric softener.

Just like dishwashers DIY sites recommend adding vinegar to the washing cycle. The same holds true for washing machines. The rubber parts may suffer damage from the vinegar acid.

Hole Removal

To remove holes caused in fabric usually after a seam or hem is removed, place the fabric on a cloth moistened with white distilled vinegar and iron it.

Prevent Color Draining from Clothes

To prevent colors from draining from clothes, immerse them in white distilled vinegar for a few minutes before washing.

Cleaning Vintage Lace

Immerse the lace in cold water and rinse a few times. Next, use a wool detergent (Woolite) and wash the lace gently with your hands. However, if you still see rust spots, remove them using a mixture white distilled vinegar with hot water.

Clean Scorched Iron Plate

Combine equal quantities of white distilled vinegar and salt, then heat them up in a small pan. Rub the mixture on the iron surface to get rid of burned and dark stains.

Generally, you can use white distilled vinegar to gently rub on scorch marks helps remove the marks in an efficient way.

Leather Cleaning

Combine two parts linseed oil with 1 part white distilled vinegar and use rub this mixture in a circular motion to clean leather items. Allow mixture to set for 10 minutes and use a soft, clean cloth to buff and polish. Learn More

Unclog Steam Iron

Have you heard of this iron-cleaning trick?

Add an equal amount of water and white distilled vinegar in the water chamber of the iron. Position the iron in an upright position and turn on the steam for five minutes. Unplug the iron and allow it to cool. When you empty the water tank of the iron, any loose particles should be removed.

NOTE: This “recommended” tip may damage your iron. You’re most likely better to follow the instructions suggested by the manufacturers.

Shower Curtains

Include one cup of white distilled vinegar in final rinse cycle when washing your curtains. Take care not to squeeze or spin dry the curtains. It is highly recommended you hang the curtains immediately for drying.

Lawn and Garden Solutions With White Vinegar

Kill Grass On Sidwalks and Driveways

Pour white distilled water (full strength) on grass found on driveways and sidewalks to kill the grass. Spray white vinegar at full strength on crabgrass and continue the procedure on any new growth until the plants have starved.

Kill Slugs

Mix equal parts of water and vinegar to spray on garden slugs to kill them.

Help Flowers Stay Fresh Longer

In 1 quart of water, combine two tablespoons of white vinegar along with two tablespoons of sugar to extend the lifespan of your cut flowers. Add vinegar to the vase with a teaspoon of sugar.

Combine two tablespoon of white vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar in water of one-quart vase to help keep flowers stay fresh longer. Change the water and trim stems every five days.

Neutralize Garden Lime

To avoid rough and flaky skin after working with a garden lime, wash your hands with white distilled vinegar. Scrub terra-cotta pots with white vinegar to help remove excess lime.

Enhance Soil Acidity

If you live areas with hard water, when watering acid loving plants like gardenias, rhododendrons or azaleas try a mixture of 1 gallon of water combined with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar. The added vinegar will help release iron in the soil for the plant to use.

Plant Nutrients

Combine 1 part vinegar with 8 parts of water. Make another solution of sugar and water with the same 1 to 8 ratio. Combine both mixtures and feed the plant as needed.

Outdoor Uses

Bumper Sticker Residue

If your car has a bumper sticker which won’t go away, try removing it by gently spraying some vinegar on it to saturate the area. Wait a few minutes, and the sticker should easily peel off.

Frost Free Car Windows

Wipe your windshield and car windows with 3:1 vinegar-water mix to keep them frost-free during the winter season.

Pet Protection with White Vinegar

Stop Pets From Scratching Ears

Use undiluted vinegar to wipe itchy ears to keep cats and dogs from scratching them.

Keep Cats Away

Cats always avoid vinegar. So, if you want them to stay away from your furniture or sitting areas, you can spray the area with a vinegar solution.

When it comes to outdoor areas, you can soak a small sponge in white vinegar and keep it near the entrance to keep cats and some other animals away from your property. You can even spray vinegar in different areas.

Bad Skunk Odor

Vinegar can also help you get rid of bad skunk odor. You should soak the pet with a mix of water and vinegar, and rinse with some fresh water.

Deodorizer and Disinfectant

As mentioned earlier, vinegar is a very versatile product. Use it as a deodorizer and disinfectant to clean almost anything. From your sofa cushions to shower curtains, you can use vinegar to clean almost anything and keep it fresh.

Pet Accident

Before using white distilled vinegar to remove stains caused due to pet accidents, always test the carpet for color fastness. To clean a “fresh” pet accident, sprinkle vinegar over it and wait for a few minutes. Using center to outwards motion blot it up using a dry cloth. If the stain is stubborn, repeat the procedure.

Remove Odor on a Dog

Wash your dog with fresh water. Combine one cup distilled vinegar in two gallons of water and drench the dog’s coat with this solution. Do not wash the solution off with water. Allow the dog’s coat to dry completely. The odor will be gone.

Pest Fighter

Keep your pets free from fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Add one teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to his each quart bowl of drinking water. However, this ratio is appropriate for a forty pound animal.

Food Preparation

Eggs: Poaching, Boiling and Making Egg Whites Fluffier

Add a few tablespoons of white vinegar to the water while poaching eggs, it can help the whites stay properly formed.

Also, add a few tablespoons of pure white vinegar to water while boiling eggs. The vinegar works to help make sure that even if the shells crack, whites don’t leak out.

To make egg whites fluffier, take 1-2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in a bowl and soak a paper towel in it. Wipe mixing bowl and beater using the soaked vinegar towels. Dry them using cloth or paper towel before whisking egg whites.

Get All the Excess Out

Don’t waste the last bit of mayonnaise or salad dressings in the jar. Add a few drops vinegar, close the jar tightly and shake well. You will be stunned to see all the remaining “leftovers” you can now easily use.

Freshen Up Vegetables

If your leafy vegetable greens are wilted, soak them in cold water with a spoonful of white vinegar to perk them up.

Fruit and Vegetable Wash

Wash your fruits and vegetables with a 1:9 part ratio of vinegar to water. Mix 1 part vinegar (I like Apple Cider Vinegar) to 9 parts water and thoroughly swish the produce or fruits around. Rinse thoroughly – I like to triple rinse the fruit or produce with clean water. Studies show that washing in vinegar help destroys bacteria on vegetables and fruits. [source]

Remove Onion Odor

After chopping an onion, easily eliminate the bad odor from your hands by rubbing them with white vinegar.

Get Rid of Left Over Cooking Smells

Take a small pot which includes 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Set the pot on the stove and allow to simmer.

Reduce “Gassiness” In Cooked Cauliflower and Broccoli

While cooking vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli, add some vinegar to the water. This will reduce the “gassiness” induced by these vegetables, and perk up the dish’s taste. This can also be effective while cooking beans.

Keep Potatoes White

Keep potatoes white by leaving peeled potatoes in water to which you’ve added two teaspoons of vinegar. Additionally, boil them in water to which a teaspoon of cider or white distilled vinegar has been adding to help them remain nice and white.

Boost The Flavor

Add flavor to your gravy, soup or sauce taste fresher, just add a teaspoon of your favorite specialty vinegar to it.

Cooking Fish

Soak fish in water to which a tablespoon of vinegar has been added before cooking. This will help make for a sweeter taste, more tender and hold its shape better. Adding one tablespoon of vinegar when poaching or boiling fish will help prevent the fish from crumbling easily.

Cake Icing and Homemade Candy

A great tip to prevent cake icing from becoming sugary is to add a tiny bit of vinegar to the ingredients before cooking. A similar practice can also be accomplished when preparing sugar candies.

Frying Doughnuts

To prevent doughnuts from soaking extra oil, add a teaspoon of vinegar to hot oil before frying them. However, ensure that you use caution when you add vinegar to oil.

Fruit Stains

Cleaning your hands with vinegar will help get rid of stains caused by fruits and vegetables.

Freshen Lunchbox

To get rid of the stale smell often found in a lunchbox, place fresh bread pieces dampened in white distilled vinegar in the lunch box overnight.

Fluffier Rice

To make rice less sticky and fluffier, add one teaspoon of distilled water in boiling water before adding the rice.

Health Benefits

Heartburn Relief

Consume one to two tablespoon of traditional balsamic vinegar for heartburn or acid indigestion relief.

Ease Sunburn

Applying apple cider vinegar or white vinegar to sunburned areas can help provide relief.

Soothe Jellyfish or Bee Sting

Douse “stung” area with vinegar to get relief from itching and soothe irritation.

Fight Dandruff

Rinsing your hair after shampooing with a solution of two cups of warm water and a half cup of vinegar will help provide some relief from dandruff.

Relieve Dry, Itchy Skin

Add 1-2 tablespoon of vinegar in your warm water bath to get relief from the dry and itchy skin.

Stop Itching

Prepare a mixture of vinegar and cornstarch and apply on affected areas to ease itching.

Skin Burns

Applying cold vinegar immediately to skin burns will help prevent blisters but will also provide instant relief.

Toenail Fungus

Combine two parts water with one part of vinegar in a bucket and soak your toes in it for 10-15 minutes.

Chest Congestion

Inhale vapor mist from a steaming pot of water containing several tablespoons of vinegar. This can help clear respiratory congestion.

Soothe A Sore Throat

In one cup of hot water, add one teaspoon of vinegar, two tablespoons of honey. Gargle this combination of vinegar and honey then drink to relieve sore throat.

Soft Feet

In 2 gallons of warm water add one cup of distilled white vinegar. Soak your feet in the mixture for about 30-45 minutes. Remove dead skin from callused areas of your feet and heels using a pumice stone.

Ease Morning Sickness / Weight Loss / Blood Pressure

Drink a concoction of 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar mixed with a glass of water and add honey to help calm a queasy stomach and fix the root cause of acid reflux. Doing the same thing regularly will also result to weight loss, regulates blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels.

Wart Remover

Add a cup of distilled white vinegar in lukewarm water and soak the affected area for about one15- 20 minutes daily until the wart disappears.

Other Odds and Ends Along with Miscellaneous Stuff

Paintbrush Softener

To soften a stiff paintbrush, soak it in hot distilled vinegar and rinse with warm soapy water.

Leather Shoe Cleaner

The presence of salt on your shoes from your feet sweating can damage leather and reduce their life span. To shoes clean and prevent salt stain built up, combine 1 part water and 1 part vinegar. Using a cloth, dab the solution sparingly into the solution, then dab the salt-streaked parts of your shoes. Repeat the process several times until you remove the salt completely. Don’t allow salt stains to build up.

Fireplaces

To get rid of blackened soot on the front glass doors of a fireplace, combine water and white distilled vinegar in the ratio of 1:1 and wash the fireplace doors with it. However, if your doors have a spring loaded clip, remove them and place them flat on newspapers. Using a spray bottle, spray the water/vinegar solution on them and soak. Wipe them clean using newspaper.

Eliminate Lime Stains From The Car

Dip a soft cloth in a white vinegar solution and gently rub the cloth on the stain until it gradually disappears.
NOTE: Test a small area to prevent any discoloration.

Gold Jewelry Cleaner

For sparkling new looking gold jewelry, submerge a jewelry item in one cup of apple cider vinegar for 10-1 5 minutes. Remove the item from the solution and pat dry using a soft, clean cloth.

DO NOT use vinegar on phones and touchscreens. These electronic devices use a protective coating on the screen and wiping it with vinegar can eat it away.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Add food coloring to a cup of hot water to which you’ve added one teaspoon of vinegar. Adding vinegar will not only prevent streaky, uneven colors but will also help keep dyes bright.

Search the web, and you’ll find many more uses for vinegar around the home. This collection of tips, ideas, uses and methods offers a good place to start.

NOTE: ALWAYS TEST before applying or making a complete application.

 

Everybody could use some tips to make their time in the kitchen easier.

Here’s a collection of  tips and cheats to save you time, some bucks and sanity when “life” happens in the kitchen – from food prep, baking and clean up. We searched the web to find dug deep to find to find some of the best kitchen tips, hacks and cheats to make your time in the kitchen easier and more fun!

How To Zest A Lemon Or Any Other Citrus Fruit In Three Easy Ways

Zest A Lemon Or Any Other Citrus Fruit

Make A Multi-Purpose Holder From Kitchen Whisk

Make A Multi-Purpose Holder From Kitchen Whisk

 Make Milk Stretch and Go Further

Stretch Milk

Make Your Own Baked Taco Shells

Make Your Own Taco Shells

Use Marshmallows As Brown Sugar Softener

Brown Sugar Softener

How To Cut Up Potatoes Super Fast

Cut Up Potatoes Fast

Make Lemon & Lime Ice Cubes

The Steps Here

How To Cook Fish On Lemons

Cooking Fish On Lemons

How To Mold A Hard Boiled Egg

Mold A Hard Boiled Egg

How To Use Your Oven To Ripen Bananas

Ripen Bananas Using Your Oven

Out of Chips? Use a Tortilla

Make Your Own Chips

Turn Tic Tac Containers Into Spice Storage

Tic Tac Spice Storage

Tips On Lettuce

Crock Pot French Toast

Recipe Here

Use Your Keurig For Hot Water

Use Empty Ketchup Bottles For Pancake Mix

Ketchup Bottle as Pancake Batter Dispenser

Use Dental Floss For Cutting Soft Foods

Dental Floss Cutting

Creamer Bottles Make Excellent Snack Dispensers

Easily Store Asparagus For Up To 2 Weeks

How To Store Fresh Asparagus

How To Make Waffle Iron Hash Browns

Waffle Iron Hash Browns

Make A Tennis Ball Jar Opener

Tennis Ball Jar Opener How To

Cook Pasta In A Minute

Pre-soak Pasta And Cook It In About 60 Seconds

Grate Cheese the Easy Way

Peel A Whole Head Of Garlic In Seconds

Peel Garlic In Seconds

Slice Corn Off The Cob FAST!

Take Corn Off The Cob Quickly

Super Tip for Speed-Peeling Potatoes

Super Peeling Potatoes