KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN TIPS - EVERYDAY USES FOR BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR
There are natural products in your kitchen that are safe and effective to use in many cleaning and deodorizing situations. You may be surprised at how effective these items are not to mention how inexpensive they can be.
Vinegar
Vinegar is defined by Merriam-Webster as a sour liquid obtained by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids and used as a condiment or preservative. It has been used since ancient times. Natural vinegars contain small amounts of citric acids, tartaric acids and others giving vinegar its powerful cleaning abilities. Below are some uses for vinegar on every day items.
1 part vinegar and 4 parts water will take care of soapy residue on ceramic tile.
2 or 3 tablespoons in a gallon of cool, clear water is the solution of choice for many professional window washers.
Run a solution of equal parts vinegar and water through your coffee maker monthly. Follow up with a clean pot of water to rinse.
Half a cup of vinegar and a gallon of water is an excellent cleaner for vinyl floors.
Toss a cupful down the drain, let sit one hour, then run hot water. This is a great deodorizer.
Another great drain deodorizer is..............
Baking Soda
Most of us associate Baking Soda with the popular brand Arm & Hammer. In 2002, Arm & Hammer teamed up with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean®, to gently clean some of America's historic homes. Baking Soda is a gentle and versatile product as evidenced in 1986 when it was used to clean the Statue of Liberty's inner copper walls. Below are some optimal uses for Baking Soda.
Pour ½ a cup in the drain followed by hot water to reduce odor.
Baking Soda is a great gentle scouring powder. Use on your kitchen and bath fixtures.
Deodorize kitty litter pans.
It works well as a carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle on your carpeting and vacuum.
The old standby, Removes odors and stains from the interior of your refrigerator or freezer.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
