Cleaning with Vinegar

In a pinch, vinegar is the single most useful household cleanser in most homes

Plain ol' household vinegar has plenty of uses around the house. It's safe to have around kids and at less than $2 a gallon, you can't find a much more economical cleaner. Cooking, canning, cleaning—vinegar can do it all. If you've run out of your regular cleaner and need a quick substitute, vinegar will probably do just fine. Here are a few specific uses for vinegar.

clean windows: diluted or full strength
mopping floors: diluted in mop bucket, full strength on paper towels for quick cleanup of grease splatters
clean kitchen counters: diluted or full strength (be quick with marble and rinse well)
clean coffee pots: full strength, run a few cups through the machine, then follow up with a couple of pots of clean, fresh water
substitute fabric softener: full strength, use in the rinse cycle, good for removing odors
clean dishwasher: full strength, run a cup and a half of vinegar through an empty cycle

My favorite use for vinegar? Pour a quarter cup of baking soda down your sink, followed by a cup of vinegar. After the bubbling has stopped, rinse with hot water. (Boiling water is good.) This will help clean out any smells in the drain, and clear out drain-clogging grease.