Practical Use Of Vinegar

LAUNDRY USES

REMOVING TAR FROM JEANS
Pour a few drops of vinegar on the stains, then put them in the washing machine and wash as normal.
 
REMOVING STIFFNESS FROM NEW JEANS
Wash jeans for the first time by turning them inside out and adding 275 ml of vinegar to the wash. It remove stiffness of new jeans.
 
PREVENTING FADING OF COLOURED TOWELS AND QUILTS
Add 150 ml (1/4 pint) of vinegar to the laundry to prevent fading. Handmade quilts can be soaked in lots of cold water using 275 ml (1/2 pint) of vinegar on the first time of laundering.
 
DYEING
When dyeing fabric, include 275 ml (1/2 pint) white vinegar in a hot dye bath to set the colour.
 
GETTING RID OF SHINY MARKS WHEN IRONING
Mix half vinegar and half water and put into a spritzer bottle. When ironing, use the spray to help remove iron-made creases or shiny areas in the fabric. Spritz a shirt for a clean, odour-free, crisp garment, especially collars and underarm areas. Use a damp cloth and gently rub shiny areas like those that appear when the iron is too hot and you iron over a zipper, then repress and the shine will be gone. Repeat if necessary.
 
REMOVING OR SETTING CREASES
For setting creases and also removing them when in the wrong place, iron with a pressing cloth soaked in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. This is a strong, smelly solution so use in a well ventilated room. The smell will soon leave the garment after airing.
 
CLEANING AND REFRESHING AN IRONING BOARD
Spritz the ironing board cover to freshen it up and iron while it is still damp. This is cheaper than any purchased fabric freshener or odour eliminator.
 
CLEANING THE BASE OF AN IRON
Use a paste of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) to clean the sole plate of your iron. It will be smooth, clean and shiny and will not harm any surface.
 
SOFT AND FLUFFY BLANKETS
570 ml (1 pint) of white vinegar added to a tub of water will make a good rinse for both cotton and wool blankets and leaves them free of soap, with their nap as soft and fluffy as new.
 
DEODORIZING A WOOL SWEATER
Wash the sweater, then rinse in equal parts of vinegar and water to remove odours.
 

LAUNDRY USES

GETTING RID OF SLUGS
If you have a slug problem, drop a few drops of white vinegar on them. Be careful not to get the vinegar on your plants.

LAWNS WITH NO BROWN PATCHES
Put a tablespoon of vinegar in your dog’s drinking water every day and you will no longer have those brown spots in your lawn from the dog’s urine. See the section on Pets & Animals for further benefits.

INSTANT ANTIBACTERIAL AID FOR GARDENERS OR RAMBLERS
If you hate to wear gloves when gardening (except, of course when working with roses, blackberries or thistles) you will, once in a while, get nicked or scratched. White vinegar can be used to treat such scratches if you are on the allotment, or miles from a water supply. This stings for a second or two, but saves a long trek to the tap.

REMOVING RUST FROM BOLTS, SCREWS, NAILS AND HINGES
To remove rust from bolts and other metals, soak them in full strength vinegar.
Put the metal objects in a container and cover with vinegar. Seal the container and shake. Let it stand overnight. Dry the objects to prevent corrosion.

 IN THE KITCHEN

CHEAP CLEANING SOLUTION
1/3 part white vinegar
1/3 part rubbing alcohol (or surgical spirit)
1/3 part water 3 drops dishwashing liquid
Mix this into a (recycled) spray bottle and you have the equivalent of the floor cleaner. Just spray and mop. It is also recommended for deodorizing a room and for a fast clean-up. Use this on any tile floors with great results. The alcohol is added to make it dry faster, so you could leave it out, if you wish.

ALL-PURPOSE WINDOW WASH
45 ml (3 tbsp) white distilled vinegar 1/2 tsp liquid soap or detergent 575 ml (1 pint) water Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, and shake to blend. Spray it on, and then remove with a squeegee or paper towel. Polish with dry newspaper when dry. The shelf life of this mix is indefinite, but make sure you keep it in a labelled bottle.

FLOOR CLEANER WITH FRAGRANT HERBS
30 cl (2 tbsp) liquid soap or detergent 60—120 ml (4—8 tbsp) white distilled vinegar 90 ml (6 tbsp) fragrant herb tea (peppermint adds antibacterial qualities) Combine ingredients in a bucket of water.
Swirl the water around until it lathers a little. Proceed as normal. Discard the remainder after use.

A CLEANING FLUID FOR COPPER AND BRASS
Make a brass and copper cleaner by combining equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar. Wipe it on a paper towel and then polish with a soft, dry cloth.

CLEANING METAL SCREENS AND ALUMINIUM FURNITURE
Use vinegar to clean away mineral build-up on metal. Add 45 ml (3 tbsp) to 1 litre (13/4 pints) of water for cleaning metal screens and aluminium furniture.

CLEANING DRAINS
Keep your drains clean and working properly with vinegar. When they seem to be getting a bit sluggish, or even blocked, pour white vinegar down the kitchen and bathroom sinks and shower drain.

TARNISHED COPPER
Heavily tarnished copper or copper-alloy to be cleaned up, use a paste made of salt and vinegar.

FLOOR CLEANER
Add 150 ml (1/4 pint) vinegar to 4.5 litres (1 gallon) of water to keep your vinyl floors clean and shining.

VINYL FLOOR CLEANING
For effortless cleaning and less bending, try squirting vinegar on the head of a moistened mop and wiping over the floor. Environmentally friendly and cheap!

CARPET SPOT AND STAIN REMOVER As a carpet spot and stain remover, take a trigger spray bottle and fill with one part white vinegar to seven parts water. Take a second spray bottle and fill with one part white, non-sudsy ammonia and seven parts water. Saturate the stain with vinegar solution. Let it soak in for a few minutes and then spray on the ammonia solution and blot thoroughly with an old towel. Repeat until the stain has gone.

REMOVING WATER STAINS FROM LEATHER
Remove water stains from leather by rubbing with a cloth dipped in a vinegar and water solution.

TOILET CLEANER
Remove stubborn stains from the toilet by spraying them with vinegar and brushing vigorously. Deodorize the bowl by adding 570 ml (1 pint)of distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for half an hour before flushing.

CLEANING PORCELAIN ENAMEL, BATHS, SINKS AND FITTINGS
Use a half and half solution of vinegar and water.

FURNITURE POLISH
Make a furniture polish using equal parts of white vinegar and vegetable oil. Wipe it on and buff with a soft cloth.
 
BRASSWARE
To clean brassware without scrubbing, soak in 1 to 10 parts of white vinegar to water. To clean brass lamps, unscrew the sections and soak in bucket. All the green and black tarnish comes off in no time.

REMOVING RUST FROM CAST IRON
Make a solution of white vinegar solution; 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water, to clean the rust off cast iron pans.
Soak the pan overnight in the vinegar solution and the vinegar just dissolves the rust. Very rusty pans may take an extra evening. Don’t leave a pan in there too long, or you will not have a pan! The vinegar dissolves the metal.

ANTIQUE APPLIANCES
For cleaning antique appliances: Pour white vinegar straight out of the bottle on to a sponge, to soak stubborn build-up for a few minutes. After your appliance’s first-time cleaning, future quick clean-ups are easiest using a small spray/squirt bottle with diluted vinegar-water. 

CLEANING PLASTIC SHOWER CURTAINS
To prevent mildew on plastic shower curtains, keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water in the bathroom and use regularly.

CLEANING PLASTICS
Plastic can be cleaned and made anti-static by wiping down with a solution of one tablespoon of distilled vinegar to 2 litres (31/2 pints) of water. This should prevent dust from settling as well.
 
AIR FRESHENERS AND ODOUR CONTROL AIR FRESHENER Use a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), 15 ml (1 tbsp) of vinegar and 570 ml (1 pint) of water. After it stops foaming, mix well, and use in a spray bottle. REMOVING PAINT FUMES Absorb the odour of fresh paint by putting a small dish of white vinegar in the room.

AROMATIC VINEGAR AIR FRESHENER
Add approximately 15g (3/4 oz) each of sage, rosemary, mint, rue and wormwood to 570 ml (1 pint) of wine or cider vinegar. Allow the herbs to stand in the vinegar for about a week in a warm place. Strain and use as an air freshener or to control unpleasant smells. TO REMOVE COOKING ODOURS Boil a teaspoon of white vinegar mixed in 275 ml (1/2 pint) of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking odours. REMOVING THE SMELL OF ONIONS A little white vinegar rubbed on your fingers before and after slicing onions will remove the smell of onions quickly.

SPONGE/CLOTH RESTORER
If a sponge, flannel or dishcloth becomes slimy or smelly, soak overnight in a solution of half vinegar/half water. Rinse in clear water and leave to dry.

HAND CLEANER
Remove cooking smells from hands by rinsing them with vinegar and then wash thoroughly with soap and water.

REMOVING THE SMELL OF VOMIT
To rid the smell after an unfortunate bout of sickness, clean the area thoroughly, then place a bowl of vinegar on the floor and leave overnight. This works very well in a car as well, especially in warm weather. Leave the bowl on the floor of the car overnight, with the doors and windows shut.
REMOVING THE ODOUR OF SOUR MILK
Vinegar will remove the smell of milk from carpets and car upholstery.

SMOKE OR PERFUME
Keep vinegar and water solution handy in a spray bottle for use after smokers have left. Even if they’re not smoking, the smell can still be a problem. This is also good for clearing the air of residual scent after visitors, wearing foul aftershave or perfume have left.

REMOVING THE SMELL OF ANIMAL URINE
Blot up the urine with a soft cloth and wash several times with lukewarm water. Apply a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot up again, rinse and let dry.
 
CLEANING HUMIDIFIERS
Rinse out humidifiers every few days and add two tablespoons of vinegar to prevent mould and bacteria forming. Running this in the bathroom with the door and window closed will eliminate mould. Rinse and run again with clean water. It’s important to renew the water each time, rather than just topping up the reservoir.

OTHER HOUSEHOLD USES OF VINEGAR DISINFECTANT
Kill germs in the bathroom by mixing vinegar and water in a spritzer bottle. Apply liberally.

WAXING A FLOOR
When waxing a floor after scrubbing with a floor stripper, add 275 ml (1/2 pint) of vinegar to the rinse water. It neutralizes the chemicals and makes the wax or floor finish adhere better. PAINTING
Paint adheres better to galvanized metal after it has been brushed with vinegar. FURTHER
 
HOUSEHOLD USES:
Cleaning lunchboxes Cleaning breadboxes
Cleaning glasses in the dishwasher
Removing onion odour
Removing refrigerator smells
Rubbish disposal
Deodorizing jars
Cleaning bottles
Cleaning hot plates
Removing stains from fine china
Cleaning oven vents and barbecue grills
Easing seized bolts
Dissolving rust As fabric glue
Removing stickers
Removing dust on fans
Removing coke stains
Removing soap residue
Restoring hairbrushes
De-staticing plastic
Removing wallpaper
Remedying sagging cane bamboo
Removing excess laundry suds
Cleaning film from small necked bottles
Reduces mineral deposits in pipes, kettles and tanks
Making soap with bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
Anti-fogging glass cleaner
 

CULINARY USES

BREAKING DOWN FIBRES IN MEAT
Adding vinegar to marinades or braising liquids breaks down protein fibres, so will help tenderize meat. Make a marinade in the proportion of one-half cup of wine, white, or cider vinegar to a cup of liquid bouillon.
 
PEELING HARD-BOILED EGGS
It's easier to peel hard-boiled eggs if you add a teaspoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of salt to the water they cook in.

BOILED EGGS WITH NO CRACKS
Boil better eggs by adding two tablespoons of vinegar before boiling. It keeps them from cracking.

COLOUR ENHANCER
Adding vinegar to a pot of water improves the colour of any vegetables you're cooking. It may, however, also destroy some of the nutrients of green vegetables.

TO MAKE A FLUFFIER MERINGUE
For a really fluffy meringue, add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar to 3 egg whites.

P
OACHING EGGS
If you are poaching eggs in an ordinary saucepan, add a teaspoon of white or cider vinegar to the water in which you are poaching the eggs. The whites stay better formed, and you can cook more than one at a time.

KEEPING CHEESE FRESH
To keep cheese fresh and moist, wrap it in a cloth dampened in white vinegar and put it into an air-tight wrapping or container.

FLAVOUR BOOSTER
With just a teaspoon of wine vinegar you can perk up a can of soup, gravy or sauce. It adds flavour and tastes fresher.

TASTIER BOILED HAM
Add a little white, cider or wine vinegar to the water in which you boil ham. It will draw out some of the salty taste and improve the flavour.

WHITER FISH
For a less strong ‘fishy’ flavour, try soaking fish in vinegar and water before cooking. You’ll get a whiter, milder tasting fish. Use two tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water. Let fish fillets soak in it for 20 minutes before cooking.
 
BUTTERMILK
Make buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of milk and letting it stand for five minutes to thicken.

EASY WINE VINEGAR
This may do as a standby; make wine vinegar by mixing two tablespoons of vinegar with a teaspoon of dry red wine.

REMOVING FISH SCALES
Scale fish more easily by rubbing with vinegar 5 minutes before scaling.

FIRMER GELATINE
Add a teaspoon of white vinegar to any gelatin recipe in hot summer months to keep moulded salads and desserts firm.

TENDER BOILED BEEF
When you boil beef, add a tablespoon or more of wine, white or cider vinegar to the water to soften fibres and make it tender.

TASTY HEALTH DRINKS
Add a teaspoon or two of cider vinegar to vegetable juice to enhance the flavour. A tablespoon of cider vinegar and honey in hot water is a tasty health drink.

ALTERNATIVE TO LEMON JUICE
Try using cider vinegar where lemon juice is required e.g. in making mayonnaise.

BREAKFAST TREAT
Just sprinkle on pawpaw for a refreshing breakfast.


USING UP THE LAST OF THE KETCHUP
 To use up all those bits of tomato sauce, ketchup or chutney etc that come in bottles, add some vinegar, oil and shake. The liquid will pour out easily; this makes the base for marinades, if you add a little onion, garlic and spices.

DE-GASSING BEANS
De-gas, or lower the amount produced from dried beans by adding a tablespoon of cider vinegar to the soaking water. Leave overnight, then rinse thoroughly. Also add a little to the water when you cook them. This works for split peas as well.

REDUCING BACTERIA
 Some people like to wash any flesh foods with vinegar before cooking to reduce the bacteria, especially in chicken, and claim it makes the foods more pleasant to work with.

RINSING FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
 Rinse fresh fruit and vegetables in vinegar. There are, apparently products available for this purpose, but vinegar works as well, and is cheaper.

REMOVING CREEPY CRAWLIES FROM YOUR LETTUCE
A little vinegar and salt added to the water you wash leafy green vegetables in will float out bugs and kill germs.

REDUCING STARCH IN PASTA
If you put a few drops of vinegar in pasta as it boils, the starch is cut. This makes the pasta less sticky.

 REDUCING STARCH AND STICKINESS FROM RICE
Use a splash of vinegar when preparing rice, in the proportions of 1 cup of rice, 2 cups of water, a splash of vinegar. Bring to a boil then cover and simmer or let it stand for 20 minutes. Uncover the rice and fluff with a fork. The vinegar cuts the starch and the rice is not sticky.

SUBSTITUTE FOR SOUR MILK OR BUTTERMILK
 If you have a recipe that needs sour milk or buttermilk, add a little vinegar to your ordinary milk. SUBSTITUTE FOR EGGS When baking, if you find you are short of eggs, substitute one tablespoon of white vinegar per egg. This seems to work for cakes and muffins.

PRESERVING SOUR CREAM
To keep sour cream from spoiling, add one teaspoon of white vinegar to a small container and about two tablespoons to a larger container of sour cream after the first use. You don't notice the taste, and the cream will remain usable for longer.

 

CIDER VINEGAR AND HEALTH BENEFITS

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then using apple cider vinegar should do the trick as well. Apples are among the most health-giving fruits available as they contain a host of nutritious properties, including: phosphorous, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, sulphur, iron, fluorine, silicon, plus many trace elements. It contributes to healthy veins, blood vessels and arteries. Apple cider vinegar has extraordinary potassium content and beneficial malic acid. When purchasing cider vinegar for health, it should have a fuzzy sediment (mother), on the bottom, proving that the vinegar is still in the live fermentation stage.

CIDER VINEGAR AND BLOOD

 Cider vinegar helps with cleansing, the reintroduction of minerals, as well as the clotting of the blood. Oxidation of the blood is very important and cider vinegar is an effective treatment for this. Amongst other claims, cider vinegar is said to be very effective in detoxifying various organs in the body together with the blood stream. It is a purifier, as it has a means of breaking down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body, promoting the health of the vital organs of the body e.g. kidneys, bladder, liver etc., by preventing an excessively alkaline urine. Cider vinegar appears to help oxidize the blood, which consequently prevents the blood from becoming too thick, giving rise to a strained heart and blood vessels because of high blood pressure. Cider vinegar also promotes digestion, and it neutralizes toxic substances.
 
POTASSIUM
Apple cider vinegar has a potent supply of potassium, which has become so widely acclaimed in helping various complaints, including excessive mucous formation, watery eyes, sinus and catarrhal troubles. Other signs of potassium deficiency may be tooth decay and the splitting of finger nails.

ABRASIONS
Vinegar is a natural antiseptic, so use diluted to clean minor cuts or abrasions to mosquito bites.

AFTERSHAVE
Relief for skin sensitive to shaving may be at hand.

AFTERSUN TREATMENT
At bedtime, cover sunburns with a towel or tea towel soaked in water and vinegar and try to persuade the patient to sleep this way. Younger ones, of course, will have a struggle with this, especially because of the smell! Repeat with resoaked towels for best results. Put vinegar in a spray bottle with water and spray on to sunburn. It soothes for quite a length of time. To relieve swelling and fluid from too much sun, mix a paste of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and apple cider vinegar, and apply.

AGE SPOTS
As a remedy for age spots, mix equal parts of onion juice and vinegar and use daily on age spots. This will take a few weeks to work, just like its expensive relative from the store, although you may smell a bit like a crisp (potato chip) bag!

ALLERGY TO DUST MITES
Add 4 fl oz (8 tbsp) vinegar to a gallon of water to keep your vinyl floors clean and shining. Not only does it keep the floors shiny but it kills the dust mites!

ARTHRITIS
Drink a glass of water with two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two teaspoons of honey three times a day. It dissolves the crystal deposits of uric acid that form between joints (and also in muscles as with muscular rheumatism). Local treatment can also be given by soaking the arthritic hand, or foot in a strong, comfortably hot solution of cider vinegar for ten minutes, two or three times a day. Use a quarter of a cup of cider vinegar to one and a half cups of water. Arthritic knees can be attended to by making a poultice; soak the cloth in a mixture of cider vinegar and water, (as per above mixture) wring out and wrap it around the joint, then secure with a dry cloth to retain heat. When the wet cloth cools, it should be wrung out in the hot solution and applied afresh. Repeat several times, twice daily. While this seems to be effective, always ask your doctor before attempting to diagnose yourself or deciding upon medication to alleviate any symptoms.

ASTHMA
One tablespoonful of cider vinegar added to a glass of water should be taken in sips for half an hour. After a further half an hour has elapsed the treatment should be repeated. The wheezing should lessen in intensity quite considerably. Deep breathing exercises are also a beneficial treatment. Always seek medical advice if in doubt. This is not intended as a replacement for professional help.

ATHLETE’S FOOT
Try soaking your feet in vinegar and water. It changes skin pH so that the fungus cannot grow. Soak for three evenings in a row. BOILS Boils are quite painful and at times have to be lanced. Vinegar tea can help. One tablespoon of cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey mixed in a cup of hot water at least twice a day as well as plenty of water may bring relief. Stay away from sodas and chocolate, as they seem to aggravate the infected area even more. If the boil does come to a head where it is going to open, continue to drink the vinegar tea and the water. Use hot packs on the boil for 15—20 minutes three times a day. Doing this has more than once saved an unwanted visit to the doctor. What is also important is not to squeeze a boil.

BONES
The manganese, magnesium, silicon and calcium found in apple cider vinegar have been linked in sustaining bone mass, which is important in the fight against osteoporosis. A supplement of apple cider vinegar could, for this reason, be valuable should you suffer from a calcium shortage, or if you are entering your postmenopausal stage, where a risk of bone density loss could cause a problem
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BRUISES, STIFFNESS AND SWELLING
 For a stiff neck, take a half vinegar half warm water solution and soak a rag in it, then wring the rag out and wrap it around your neck. Put a layer of plastic wrap (to keep your sheets dry) and finish up with a towel. Be careful not to strangle yourself! Leave this on overnight and in the morning you will not believe the difference. For bruises and swelling follow the directions above, but use cold water. You can hold the compress in place with a bandage. Leave on for atthe results. This can be effective long after ice ceases to reduce the swelling.


CLEANSING LOTION
Use vinegar diluted 50/50 as a skin cleanser. Most soaps are alkaline compared to skin pH, so this redresses the balance. Or, pour 30 ml (2 tbsp) of vinegar into your rinse water, rinse the face and let it air dry. This seals the moisture in the skin and is great for all-over, especially when the weather is dry.

CORNS AND CALLUSES
This old remedy for corn and callus removal involves soaking a piece of stale bread (a cloth would probably do as well) in vinegar, and taping it over the callus or corn overnight.

COLDS
The pH factor (the acidity factor) of the body becomes a bit more alkaline prior to a cold or flu striking you down. When you take cider vinegar it helps to rebalance the acid level of your body.
 
COLD SORES
If you douse your cold sore repeatedly with vinegar, it will dry up the cold sore and eventually prevent further outbreaks.

CONSTIPATION
As we age our bodies produce less digestive acids (hydrochloric acid), pepsin and digestive enzymes — which can cause constipation. When you add fibre to your diet, such as the pectin in cider vinegar, you assist your body by having regular bowel movements.

CRAMPS
 If you have never woken up in the middle of the night with cramps tearing through your calves, feet or legs, you would not understand the agony. A useful remedy to assist with this is to take cider vinegar before going to bed. To relieve muscle cramps, use half vinegar and half water on a wet towel. Heat in a microwave for 20 seconds and place on the affected area.

DEODORANT
Try white vinegar underarms and other areas of the body as a natural deodorant. It won’t stop perspiration (which is not healthy anyway) but it will neutralize any odour.
 
DEPRESSION
Some Eastern medicines believe that depression is the symptom of a stagnant or tired liver. If you believe in this philosophy, then apple cider vinegar would help to fight depression, since it is a great medium to help detoxify and clean the liver.

DIZZINESS
Two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar together with two teaspoons of honey in a glass of hot or cold water three times a day may help this annoying occurrence quite considerably.


ECZEMA
Take the usual dosage of cider vinegar and honey in a glassful of water three times a day, with meals. An application of well diluted cider vinegar can also be applied to the skin several times daily, i.e. one teaspoonful to half a cup of water. Under no circumstances should salt be taken, as this can aggravate the eczema condition considerably.

TIRED AND SORE EYES
The cider vinegar therapy together with honey is the essential ingredients here. Take two teaspoons of each taken in a glassful of water, three times a day. This mixture retards the onset of tired and sore eyes which are usually apparent in later life, as it supplies them with those vital elements essential to their health and functioning.

FATIGUE
Chronic fatigue is a warning that the body needs some attention. To remedy a poor quality sleep, honey is highly recommended, as it acts as a sedative to the body. Twenty minutes after the honey has been taken into the mouth it has been digested and absorbed into the body. This is because it is a predigested sugar, already digested in the stomach of the honey bee, and it requires no effort on the part of the human stomach for digestion. Keep the following mixture by your bedside to be taken as indicated: 15 ml (3 tsp) of apple cider vinegar to 275 ml (1/2 pint) of honey. Take 10 ml (2 tsp) of the mixture before retiring. This should induce sound sleep within an hour. If however, you have been unable to sleep within this period, repeat the dosage.

FIGHTING FREE RADICALS
 Beta-carotene, found in apple cider vinegar, is a powerful antioxidant, which helps in neutralizing the free radicals formed in our bodies.

GALLSTONES AND KIDNEY STONES
A theory exist that the acids found in cider vinegar are beneficial in breaking up kidney stones and gallstones, by softening or dissolving them.


HAIR CARE
By taking cider vinegar treatment the hair will maintain its natural growth. This will take approximately two months, so persevere. The dosage is one teaspoonful of cider vinegar to a glass of water to be taken with or between meals. Cider vinegar can also be used externally for the treatment of dandruff

HAIR RINSE
Used as a hair rinse, vinegar neutralizes the alkali left by shampoos. It will give your hair an all out shine, and remove surplus soap.

HEADACHES
 There are several types of headache, caused by various reasons.
Two teaspoons taken at each meal may well prevent an attack. Another effective means is to mix cider vinegar in equal parts with water. Place in a small basin on the stove, allowing it to boil slowly. When the fumes begin to rise from the basin make a tent with a towel and lean your head over it until the fumes are comfortably strong. Inhale deeply and slowly. (If it makes you cough, cut back on the vinegar.) Generally this alleviates the headache considerably, if not entirely.

HEADLICE
 t is also helpful when children get lice, if you take warm vinegar and put it on the hair. Also take your nit comb and dip it in the vinegar.

HICCOUGHS
These have been known to be eradicated by drinking a teaspoon of cider vinegar neat! Gargling with cider vinegar will reportedly stop the most horrible case of hiccoughs. Alternatively cider vinegar with water can be taken before mealtimes to prevent this occurrence. Rinse out the mouth after drinking vinegar.

HOT FLUSHES
Taking one or two teaspoons of vinegar with a glass of water three times a day or more may ease the symptoms, until the hot flushes are gone.

INDIGESTION
When people start talking about indigestion they immediately start referring to the excess stomach acid that they have, although in most cases it is a case of a shortage of it. Hydrochloric acid and pepsin, an enzyme working in an acid environment, are needed to break down the food effectively. Taking apple cider vinegar may assist in effecting a remedy. Put a capful of vinegar in a glass of water. It gets rid of gassy, bloating or diarrhoea problems. It seems to help balance the acid needed for digestion.

INFECTED PIERCINGS
 can’t speak from experience, but was interested in an anecdote from a ‘victim’. Warm vinegar applied to a belly button, ear or nose piercing can act as a natural antiseptic if you run out of the antiseptic supplied. Soak the affected area medical advice if in doubt. INSECT

REPELLENT
 Drink a couple of spoonfuls a day to keep mosquitoes away — your perspiration will be unpleasant to mosquitoes. If you rub or spray yourself with vinegar, it will keep ticks off. They may get on you, but will not stay ... and no, once it dries, you do not smell like a vinegar bottle.

INSOMNIA
There have been excellent results with the cider vinegar and honey treatment as follows: two teaspoons of cider vinegar and two of honey in a glass of water to be taken before retiring. It would also be beneficial to have a glass of this mixture by the bedside to sip if needed.

IRRITABLE BOWEL
This is certainly worth thinking about when dealing with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Sip water with apple cider vinegar during the day. It works for some people, and would certainly be worth trying for those who experience this distressing problem.

MENOPAUSE
 If taking calcium-magnesium tablets/or powder, wash it down with something acidic like vinegar diluted in water, so that it will dissolve the calcium magnesium and your body can assimilate it quickly.

METABOLISM
Cider vinegar has been used for centuries in aiding the liver to detoxify the body and to help with digesting rich, fatty and greasy foods, and for proper metabolizing of proteins, fats and minerals. An added extra to help with this is the malic acid and tartaric acid found in cider vinegar, since they help to bring the acid content into balance, while killing off unfriendly bacteria in the digestive tract.

MINOR BURNS
When cooking, splash some white vinegar on a bit of paper towel and put it on the burn. It stops hurting immediately and if you keep it on, you will not develop a blister.

MUSCLES
By adding some cider vinegar to your diet, you could assist the body to get rid of lactic acid at a faster pace, since it will help to break down the acid crystals, making it much easier to be flushed out of the body. Use 2 cups of cider vinegar in the bath to soak sore muscles and add potassium to muscles.

NASAL CONGESTION
Many sufferers of nasal congestion have experienced relief by adding apple cider vinegar to their diet.

NAUSEA
Sip on one teaspoon in 1/2 to 1 cup of water. Honey may be added if desired to enhance the flavour.

NOSE BLEEDS
If a person has a nose bleed without any apparent reason, then two teaspoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water, three times a day will aid in restoring the natural clotting properties of the blood.

SKIN RASHES
Cider vinegar can help some itchy skin rashes clear up and relieve itching. Apply 2—3 times a day for two weeks. Some psoriasis sufferers have found relief after showering by filling a spray bottle with 3 parts cider vinegar and 1 part water. Spray and rinse all over. There is no soap residue left on the skin. Vinegar baths can be effective, even in young babies when they react to something their mum has eaten. Pour about a cup of apple cider vinegar into the bath water, and watch the results.

SORE THROAT
A gargle made from apple cider vinegar and water could prove to be a great relief for a sore throat — be that a bacterial or virus infection. Use a 50/50 mixture, and spit out the solution after gargling, which should be repeated every hour. After gargling rinse the mouth with clean water to prevent the acid from eroding the enamel on your teeth.

SPRAINS
An old remedy was to mix vinegar with red clay, heat it and make a paste. It was placed on the sprain and then wrapped with strips of an old sheet. After an hour the paste was soaked off with warm water.

STIFF JOINTS
A shortage of potassium in the body may cause stiff joints. Apple cider vinegar could help in relieving this problem when ingesting it, since it is a good source of the needed nutrient. 

STINGS
Use vinegar on wasp stings. Just soak a cotton ball in cider vinegar and hold to the sore spot. Within a few minutes the pain stops. It would work on bee stings too, only you’d probably need to get the sting out. A scuba diver recommends vinegar for treatment to remove the sting of a jellyfish.

TOE NAIL FUNGUS
Medicine for toe nail fungus can be very costly, but you can use one part vinegar to one part warm water and soak your feet. Put a few drops of white vinegar on the nail several times a day for results.

ULCERS
Cider vinegar is showing great promise in helping to heal alcohol-induced ulcers, since it activates the body to start its own defensive mechanism.

WART REMOVER
Remove warts by applying a lotion of half cider vinegar and half glycerine.
Apply daily to the warts until they dissolve.

WHITENING TEETH
Once a week, dip a wet toothbrush in white vinegar and brush your teeth. It does away with any bad breath, especially after eating onions and it also whitens the teeth. NOTE: Any time you take vinegar internally, be sure to rinse your mouth with plain water. Acid remaining on teeth will eventually, over time, dissolve your teeth, as it does with calcium deposits around the sink.

REMOVE DANDRUFF
Wash hair with a mixture of vinegar and water to remove dandruff and add shine to hair.

REMEDY FOR CHAPPED SKIN
Apply to sore spots liberally. Vinegar provides quick healing powers. SWOLLEN SKIN Apply as above.

REMOVES MOSQUITO ITCH
Soak a sponge in vinegar and apply to the bite.