Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WFMW ~ No-stink vinegar trick



Since I've stopped buying all those harsh (and super expensive!) cleansers, I've really been enjoying the benefits of using vinegar for pretty much everything from house cleaning to body care. The one thing I don't like, though, is the smell. I know it isn't too bad when it's a weak solution mixed with water, but we've had an invasion of ants lately and have to use it almost full strength on pretty much everything.

I was looking online at different sites about cleaning with vinegar, and one woman commented on how she used "scented" rubbing alcohol to cut the vinegar fumes. And she got it at the dollar store (not that it's usually too expensive other places). Well, I ran down and purchased my very own Wintergreen-scented alcohol and put it to the test.


At first I put just a teaspoon or so in my vinegar mix, and Ralph told me the result smelled like olives, which he said he preferred over the vinegar :) Then I added another couple of teaspoons, and voila! Nice and minty! Plus, the mint was not overpowering. There was still a hint or so of the vinegar, but it definitely didn't bother me. You can certainly put more in to find a balance you like. The woman on the site (I'll have to go back and find it!) also said this helps dry windows faster when you wash them. That works for me!

Go over to Shannon's site Rocks in My Dryer for more fantastic ideas!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will have to try this. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great tip - thanks so much! I don't mind the vinegar smell, but my kids can't stand it. They would thank you too if they could LOL! :)

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

Thanks for the tip. My favorite shower cleaner is just dishwashing liquid mixed with vinegar in a spray bottle, but the smell makes me gag. I'll have to try this!

Anonymous said...

What's this about the ants? Are you using vinegar to keep them away? Please tell us about this.

Heather said...

We put a strong mixture of vinegar with some water and a little bit of dish soap in a spray bottle. It kills the ants on contact, but so far it hasn't kept them away entirely. I've heard it's supposed to keep them from going wherever you've sprayed it, but I guess we have really strong and/or desperate ones! It's a constant battle...