Baking Soda and Vinegar Science

I hate when the rubber on my shoes gets all dirty. Clorox helps, but is toxic to the environment. I thought, "What can I use that will clean the dirt off and not harm the environment?" I decided to try something different: a vinegar and water mixture.

Vinegar has a distinct, pungent, and off-putting smell. That smell, however, doesn't linger. Thank goodness, though, because you might like vinegar a little bit better after reading this blog. Plain vinegar and water will work like Windex and was perfect for the insides of my car windows. Of course, it can be used on any glass surface around the house. After cleaning the insides of my car windows, there was no after-smell... or film. Double awesome! What makes this deal even better is the low price for a container. Just pennies per use! But the goodness doesn't end there. If you mix vinegar and water (again, half and half) in a spray bottle, you can clean E. Coli and yuck off your fruits and veggies. It is a comparable produce wash for a fraction of the cost. Just rinsing won't get you anywhere. And like with the car, no lingering smell or taste. Just clean, fresh produce. Yum!

It can also be used as a household cleaner. If you can't afford other cleaning products, make sure you have vinegar. I haven't tried these, but here's three more uses I found in a magazine:

• Grease cutter: The best way to cut through all the crap is with the acidity of vinegar. Dip a sponge and wipe.
• Toilet bowl cleaner: Cut germs and clean the bowl. Just pour a cup in and wait an hour. Then scrub and flush.
• Stain remover: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 baking soda and 3 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain and toss clothes into the laundry.

Not having the right cleaning products can suck, and having a dirty house is even worse. But thanks to vinegar (and baking soda), there's no need to worry.

How many households have a box of baking soda in the fridge? It's commonplace, since everyone has been told it helps eliminate odor. This is true, because of it's alkaline pH. It acts as a deodorant and also helps with many things around the house.

• To de-gunk food, add a liberal amount of baking soda to the affected area, add water, and let soak for 30-60 minutes. For extra power, add a bit of vinegar.
• For a low cost laundry booster, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to enhance the effectiveness of detergent, absorb odors, and help remove stains.
• My personal favorite, cleaner for rubber parts on shoes (think converse shoe rubber): What I do is I place some baking soda on a plate or in a bowl. I also have some vinegar in a cup or spray bottle (either works). With a scratchy sponge, I apply baking soda and vinegar mix to the rubber part of the shoe, and with with a bit of elbow grease, I scrub the "wear and tear" away. Use as liberally and as often as you wish. When you are done, wipe clean with a damp cloth. Comet powder cleaner also works, but vinegar/baking soda works just as well, for a penny per serving! The picture of the shoes is my personal picture, before and after cleaning. It's a bit of work to keep the baking soda/vinegar mix on only the rubber, but it is well worth it. Your shoes will look cleaner and refreshed, especially if you take the extra step and wash the shoe laces (I obviously didn't). Baking soda and vinegar both have so many uses together and separately, I wonder why more people don't keep them stocked at home.