It adds the zest to your salad and the bite to your pickles, but vinegar is one of those multitalented pantry items whose abilities transcend the culinary. Have a look at a few other things that vinegar can do for your home, straight from The Vinegar Institute, an international trade association based in Atlanta. For others, visit www.versatilevinegar.org.
1. Un-ringing in the New Year: Clean up those last remnants of holiday cheer — the water/alcohol rings on your coffee table, dining room table (where were your coasters anyway?) — by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts white distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain of the wood and then polish for best results.
2. Micro management: For microwaves that look (and smell) like a food crime scene, you can loosen the splattered-on food and deodorize by boiling a solution of 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup water in that nasty oven.
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3. Blanket statement: Make your cotton and wool blankets feel soft and fluffy (and free of soap odor) by adding 2 cups of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle of the wash.
4. Steamed up: To unclog a steam iron, pour white distilled vinegar and water — in equal amounts — into the iron’s water chamber. Turn to steam and leave the iron on and in an upright position for 5 minutes. Unplug. Allow to cool. Loose particles should come out when you empty the water.
5. Grass-roots effort: Get rid of unwanted grass (and some weeds) on sidewalks and driveways by pouring full-strength white distilled vinegar directly on the offending green stuff. You’ll likely have to repeat the treatment.
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