Vinegar - not only does it make for a wicked grade school volcano project but the uses around the home are numerous and less toxic than many other choices. It's also extremely inexpensive.
First - what is vinegar other than a cheap, acidic smelling liquid that makes cucumbers taste delicious? Vinegar is produced by fermenting ethanol, or a chain of alcohol. It is a process that has been around for quite some time - vinegar production can be traced back to 3000 BC.
Here are some ideas for around the home uses that you may have not thought of:
Placing small bowls of vinegar in a freshly painted room will absorb the smell of the paint. Leave out for a few days changing the vinegar every morning.
Vinegar mixed with soap and water placed on the counter is a great way of getting rid of those pesky fruit flies.
Vinegar mixed with warm water will clean your windows with a non-toxic sparkle. Use an old cotton t-shirt or something similar instead of paper towels to wipe down the windows.
Draino is on the Top Ten nasty chemicals list around the home. Instead use a hand full of baking soda, add 1/2 cup of vinegar, and plug the drain. Let it boil, let is simmer, let it clean your plugged drain without the chemical side effects.
Hate that lint on your clothes? Add a 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of the wash - seriously! It will also brighten your colours - double whammy!
Ever come home from a house party with smoke infused clothing?? Ugh. Running the bathtub with a cup of vinegar added to the water and hanging your ashtray smelling duds in the steam will cure your tobacco woes.
I hope these little tidbits help in adding a few ideas in your Green Tool Kit for around the home.
Vinegar - the newest stocking stuffer perhaps? :-)
Green Realtor Reality Check
xoxo
