Vinegar: The Ultimate Household Bargain

DENVER (CBS4) - I believe my mom knows pretty much everything -- particularly when it comes to cleaning. And she was "green" before it was cool! She taught me about the biggest bargain ever in household cleaning supplies: Vinegar!

Each bottle of household cleaner will cost $4 or more. As an alternative, you can use a recyclable plastic spray bottle filled with 1/2 water and 1/2 white, distilled vinegar for a couple of pennies per use -- and it deodorizes and kills germs. This brilliantly simple solution cleans glass, stainless steel, most countertops and bathroom areas -- but DO NOT use it on marble or granite. You may want to do a quick Web search if you're unsure if vinegar is compatible with a surface.

I like to shine my windows with the vinegar solution using wadded up newspaper, instead of a rag. Your windows will be so clear you'll hardly know they're there!

There are about a zillion household uses for vinegar, but here are a few of my favorites (and my mom's!).

-- Add a splash of vinegar (a half cup for an average load) to your laundry to brighten clothes, and keep colors from bleeding. It also makes the clothes fresher and fights yellowing. Also, when used laundering bed linens, it helps control dust mites.

-- Clean fruits and vegetables by filling a sink with cold water and adding 1/2 cup vinegar. Swish produce through the water, or let soak for a minute. Then let produce drain in a colander. Store, or use immediately, depending on the type of produce.

-- To treat coffee or tea stains, soak the fabric in one quart water mixed with 1/2 t. dish liquid and 1 t. vinegar. Rinse and launder.

-- Clean and prevent clogs in drains by pouring 1/2 box baking soda, 1/4 cup salt into top of drain. Then pour down 1/2 cup or more vinegar. It will foam up. Let it sit for several minutes and then flush with two quarts boiling hot water.

-- Clean coffee brewing machines by running through a cycle with a mix of cold water and vinegar (no coffee). When cycle is complete rinse by emptying pot of the vinegar mixture and running the cycle again with plain cold water.

-- To add sparkle to crystal and glassware, let the soak for five minutes in a mixture of hot water and vinegar in the sink. Rinse and drain.

-- Clean tile floors using 2 gallons of very warm water mixed with one cup of vinegar. You do not need to rinse. The floor will gleam with no residue. (Do not use on granite or marble.)

-- If plastic ware has developed an odor or stains, try soaking it in warm water with vinegar at least 20 minutes.

-- Freeze white vinegar in ice cube trains. If you have a newer model, stronger garbage disposal, run the vinegar cubes through the disposal to deodorize and disinfect.

-- Leave a bowl of vinegar out in a room to deodorize

-- My personal secret, I've been using for years: Vinegar hair rinse! The anti-residue shampoos in the salon and store work great, but they are expensive. Try mixing 1/3 cup vinegar with 2/3 cup warm water. After you shampoo, pour the vinegar rinse on your hair (head upside down, so it doesn't get in your eyes!) and work it through your hair. Rinse with water. I like to follow with a light conditioner, so my head doesn't smell like a salad. This de-gunks your hair of product and other buildup and makes it super shiny! Don't use it more than once a week, however.  Baking soda mixed with water also works well ALONE -- not mixed with the vinegar! You don't want a science project fizzing on your head!

Want more?  Check out:

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

What to buy now? Ladies' clothes! Clothing prices are about to rise as much as 10 percent due to material costs. Get the bargains while you can! Last weekend Target had a good selection on the 75 percent off rack. I bought three fine-gauge knit sweaters, a pair of jeans, and a nail polish for $17. Might be a good time to stock up because winter clothes will likely be quite a bit more expensive later this year.

And, always check our CBS4 Deals of the Day.

Let me know about your bargains or vinegar miracle workers in comments!  Thanks for reading.