Alex Carson
A bottle of vinegar can be found in most households. This seemingly ordinary product is anything but. Most people remain unaware of the versatility of vinegar, and how it can improve their lives. There are many culinary uses of this acetic acid, but to truly understand its cleansing properties, pour vinegar into your toilet and see what happens. While this may seem a bit strange, but the fact is that you have to see the effect to believe it.
Vinegar Through the Ages
Vinegar has been around for centuries now. In fact there is evidence that suggests that its use can be dated back to the biblical times. The ancient Egyptians are believed to have drunk it, mixed with water. The Greeks also used it to make oxycrat, a beverage made with honey, vinegar and water. For generations it has been used to preserve fresh produce. Diluted, it has also been used to tend to wounds and cuts.
Pour Vinegar Into Your Toilet and See What Happens
Toilets need to be cleaned regularly in order to ensure that they are clean and sterile for use. If you find that despite using commercial grade cleaning products you are unhappy with the way your toilet is cleaned, simply pour vinegar into your toilet and see what happens.
Allow the vinegar to work its magic for at least 10 minutes, clean with a toilet brush before flushing. If your home receives hard water, then leave the vinegar in the toilet for at least an hour. You can also pour a cup full of vinegar in the tank of the toilet. The acetic acid will not damage any parts of the tank. Do not use the toilet for a few hours, and thereafter flush. You can expect to find both, the toilet bowl as well as the tank sparkling clean.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
You are likely to find both these rather ordinary ingredients in your kitchen. Combined together, they form a powerful cleaning agent. You can heat 9% vinegar and mix baking soda to create a solution. This can be poured into the toilet bowl, and also the tank. After a while clean the toilet with a brush and flush. The final result will not only surprise you, but also please you greatly.
The Science Behind the Vinegar Wonder
This is an experiment that many school students perform to observe the impact of chemical reactions. Acetic acid is the main ingredient in vinegar. When combined with the baking soda, the hydrogen in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda. This causes a chemical reaction that results in the formation of sodium acetate as well as carbonic acid.
Next, the carbonic acid begins to break down into carbon dioxide and water. This process can be seen when the solution begins to froth and bubble. In the toilet, this process loosens the dirt and grime on the surface, and when you flush, it leaves the toilet clean.
Vinegar is a rather useful cleaning agent and is great for cleaning windows and mirrors. It can also be used to keep shower heads free of dirt buildup. Microwave ovens as well as dishwashers can be cleaned with a vinegar solution. You can bring down the cost of cleaning your home by choosing to keep a vinegar and water solution handy. Your bathroom and home will still need to be cleaned, but doing so with vinegar can greatly reduce the effort involved.
What is Vinegar
Vinegar is an acetic acid that is formed when alcohol sours. Alcohol is formed by fermenting grapes and grains in the absence of oxygen. In contrast, vinegar is made with the help of a bacteria that feeds on oxygen. There are several techniques of making vinegar, based on the alcohol that is being used.
Vinegar, Vinegar Everywhere
It is said that a rose by any other name is still a rose. However, when it comes to vinegar you will find that there are many different types for you to select from. It is important to know which ones are ideal for cleaning, and those that are better suited for cooking.
When it comes to cleaning, simply opt for inexpensive white vinegar. This should however not be your choice for salad dressings and marinades. For culinary use, it is best to use vinegar that suits the recipe you are considering. Red wine vinegar is great for salad dressing and for marinades. White wine vinegar is fruitier and lighter and may be used as a vinaigrette and for light sauces.
Balsamic vinegar is made with fermented grapes directly, and not from wine. It is quite enjoyable in a salad, and with olive oil and bread. Finally, for fish preparations and for sushi, you may like to opt for a rice vinegar, which is made from rice wine. Health experts recommend daily consumption of apple cider vinegar, which is rich in probiotics and vitamins.
