Green & Clean: 5 ways to use vinegar around the house

Vinegar is a natural cleaner and disinfectant.  Just put 1 part water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle, spray on surfaces and wipe clean!  

Use it to get off baked on egg whites.  Use one part hot water and one part white vinegar.  Soak your cookware for about 30 minutes and then wipe away the egg white (you may have to do a little scrubbing, but everything will come off!)

Use it in place of dishwashing detergent additives like JetDry.  You can probably just put white vinegar right into the dishwashing additive compartment BUT I've heard that the acidity can cause problems with the rubber components in the compartment.  That being said, you can also fill a small cup with vinegar and set it on the top rack prior to running the dishwasher, it will be just as effective!

For cat owners, vinegar can be used to clean out an empty cat litter box and eliminate stubborn odors.  Just put about 1/2 inch of distilled vinegar in the bottom of the litter box and let it sit for about 20 minutes.  Dump and rinse the box with cold water, dry, and refill with litter.

Make your own fabric refresher with vinegar, water, and essential oils.  Check out these directions over at Simply Inspired Mama.