TO ELIMINATE BAD ODOURS
Have you noticed how plastic containers and glass jars have a tendency to retain smells? One way to get rid of stale or musty smells from these items is by scrubbing the container with a small amount of distilled white vinegar. Similarly, to prevent lingering smells in the kitchen (from frying fish, for example), combine three tablespoons of white vinegar with two cups of water in a small pot and let this simmer on a low fire while you cook your dishes.

And if you have a garbage disposal in your sink, try this tip to eradicate offensive odours. Add one cup of white vinegar to one cup of water and pour the solution into an ice-cube tray to freeze. Next, drop a couple of the vinegar cubes down the disposal and grind them. Then, let the tap run with cold water for at least a minute to wash the garbage disposal thoroughly.

Conclusion:
White vinegar is a cost-efficient and effective tool to clean and deodorise items, from plastic containers and chopping boards to recycled jars and garbage disposals. The acetic acid in vinegar kills the bacteria that produce odours. Acetic acid will also neutralise many of the basic compounds that cause unpleasant smells.

TO CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL PRODUCTS
Do your stainless steel cooking utensils have unsightly spots and blemishes on their surfaces? Try the following tip to get rid of discolouration. With a scouring pad, briskly rub at the spots with some distilled white vinegar. Then, use another clean cloth to wipe off any residue.

Conclusion:
White vinegar is a good chemical-free substitute for store-bought detergents and presents itself as a useful tool for cleaning. This tip is also effective in cleaning stainless steel surfaces on refrigerators, hoods, hobs and cabinets.

TO UNblock SINK DRAINS
Over time, grease, grime, debris and water mineral deposits can accumulate in sink drains to form partial blockages. When faced with a slow draining sink, try the following tip to unblock it. Mix ½ a cup each of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and table salt together in a small container. Then, pour the mixture into the blocked drain. Next, pour ½ a cup of distilled white vinegar down the drain. The vinegar will react with the baking soda to produce a foamy substance. Let this sit for three hours then flush the kitchen drain with boiling water. However, use hot instead of boiling water if the sink has PVC plastic pipes and not metal drain pipes.

Conclusion:
This is an easy and non-corrosive tip to unblock partially blocked drains. Vinegar is an effective substance that cuts through grime and dissolves mineral build-up. This method is also friendly to the environment as the cocktail of cleaning components employed are biodegradable. You can repeat the process a couple of times if necessary to break and flush down stubborn blockages. However, if you still encounter a sluggish sink, you may need to remove and clean out the drain trap or call upon the services of a plumber.

TO CLEAN COOKING APPLIANCES
Try distilled white vinegar instead of harmful chemical detergents to clean appliances such as microwaves and ovens. Boil a solution of ¼ cup vinegar and one cup water in the microwave. As the solution heats up, the steam from the boiling water serves to soften and loosen dried out food particles splattered around the inside of the microwave. Next, remove the boiled solution and simply wipe out the inside of the microwave with a cloth. You can also clean ovens by wiping the vents and the inside of the oven with vinegar. Similarly, barbeque grills can be scrubbed clean with vinegar.

Conclusion:
Vinegar is a cheap, all-natural and effective cleaner, disinfectant and deodoriser. The acetic acid in vinegar easily cuts through the grease and works in tandem to replace any stale odour with a refreshing scent.

TO SET COLOUR INTO NEW CLOTHES
To prevent colour from running in new clothes, including swimsuits, soak the outfits in a white vinegar solution. In a pail, combine ½ a cup of distilled white vinegar with three litres of water and soak the apparel for at least 30 minutes. It is better to soak one piece of clothing at a time unless the pieces are similarly coloured. Next, rinse off each piece with clean water.

Conclusion:
This technique is only necessary for clothing that is prone to bleed colour and is a process that should be undertaken for the first few washes of a new outfit. Do not use warm water when soaking and washing the garments. The vinegar helps to minimise the dyes from running by sealing in the colours and not only will the outfit smell fresher but the vinegar also serves as a fabric softener.

TO CONTROL WEEDS
Grass and weeds can seemingly sprout anywhere, for example, in the gaps between paving slabs, amidst pebble stones or even inside the crack lines and crevices of patio flooring. Try this simple method to eliminate unwelcome grass or weeds. Gently heat up some distilled white vinegar but do not bring to a boil. Pour the hot liquid over the affected areas and repeat this process once daily for three days.

Conclusion:
White vinegar is an eco-friendly and cheap alternative to destroy weeds and unwanted grass. In addition, besides discouraging the further growth of these unwelcome guests, it serves to deter ants and other insects from building their nests in treated areas.

This article appeared in haven, Issue #44, August + September 2010, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia