History

• According to the website versatilevinegar.org in its "Vinegar Lore" page, vinegar was discovered by accident over 10,000 years ago. Vin agre is the French term for vinegar and it means sour wine. Vinegar is made by fermenting sugars into alcohol; then it undergoes a second fermentation process.
  
  In 5000 B.C. vinegar was used by the Babylonians to preserve food and also was used as a flavoring. The Greeks used it for pickling meats and vegetables. Hippocrates was credited with using it first for medicinal purposes. The Bible mentions vinegar use many times for its healing, and calming properties. (See reference 1)
  
  War soldiers have made use of vinegar by using it to treat scurvy, and in World War I it was used to help heal injuries.
  
  

Cleaning

• Dilute 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a half gallon of water, add to a spray bottle, spritz this mixture onto windows and mirrors to clean and shine them.
  
  Pouring a half cup of vinegar in your wash along with your detergent will help your whites to be whiter, and is also helpful in removing stains. (see reference 2)
  
  Vinegar straight from the bottle can be used as a laundry softener substitute. Just pour a quarter of a cup into your softener dispenser; your towels will be soft and odor free.
  
  Use vinegar to dissolve the sticky residue left by a price sticker on items. It can also be used to clean grease and oil spills.
  
  It is an effective floor cleaner, just use equal parts of water and vinegar, mop, and let dry. Vinegar inhibits bacteria and mold, so it is very useful in cleaning and making your home a safe environment.
  
  

Pets

• Vinegar can be used as a deterrent for cats and other small animals; they don't like the smell, and so it is useful sprinkled around your garden or flower beds.
  
  Use vinegar in your pet's water bowl to keep them free from ticks and flea infestations. Just 1 tsp per quart of water is all that is needed.
  
  Vinegar is handy for getting rid of urine odors. Wipe the urine from the floor or carpet; saturate a sponge with vinegar, squeeze, and dab on the spot for 3 minutes. This step may need to be repeated until all traces of urine odor are gone.
  
  

Kitchen

• Vinegar is helpful in removing mineral deposits that build up in automatic coffee makers. Fill the carafe with vinegar and pour it into your coffeemaker. Let it brew, discard, and then fill the carafe a couple of more times with water to rinse thoroughly. Make sure to let your carafe cool between cycles.
  
  Stinky garbage disposals are often a problem for home owners. To rid the disposal of the odor, fill an ice tray with equal parts of vinegar and water. Freeze, and then place the cubes in the disposal, grind, and then flush with cool water.
  
  A low-cost and effective drain cleaner is to pour equal amounts of baking soda, and salt into a sink. Flood the area with vinegar and just stand back and watch the boiling action. Flush the area with hot water. Do this once a month and you will never need expensive, harsh drain cleaners again.
  
  

Health

• Dousing a bee or jellyfish sting with vinegar instantly soothes the pain from the sting. It also helps with the itching.
  
  Keep vinegar in your refrigerator for those accidental kitchen burns. Not only will it ease the pain almost immediately, it will reduce the chances of a blister occurring. It's a soothing compress for sunburns also.
  
  Drinking a 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey added in the morning is an effective aid in getting rid of morning sickness, or a queasy, nauseated feeling in your stomach anytime.
  
  Equal parts of vinegar, water, and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle are an inexpensive, and chemical-free formula for bug spray. Use every time you venture outdoors.