White vinegar has many uses in the kitchen, both in food and for cleaning. Because it is a natural ingredient with no chemicals, white vinegar is a popular choice for food preparation and household cleaning. It has a less pungent smell than the vinegar most people know and can be used in many ways, from salad dressings to cleaning kitchen items. Here is how white vinegar can be used in cooking and cleaning.
Uses in cooking
When a small amount of white vinegar is added to salad dressings and dishes that combine different flavors, it helps balance the flavor. Its sharpness balances sweet and savory notes. White vinegar is also used in meat marinades; adding it to the marinade helps make the meat more flavorful and tender. White vinegar can also be used when washing fruits and vegetables. After the produce has been washed thoroughly, soaking it in vinegar water for about 10 minutes removes much of the dirt and residue from its surface. Rubbing white vinegar on your hands before and after chopping ingredients that leave lingering odors, such as onions, garlic, and fish, helps remove those smells.
Removing cooking odors
To remove lingering cooking odors from the kitchen, mix half of a 200 ml measure of white vinegar with one 200 ml measure of water and boil the mixture. Boil it until it evaporates, and most unpleasant odors will disappear. This method is especially useful after cooking fish or strongly seasoned dishes. Cloudy glassware can also be cleared by soaking it in heated vinegar for a while. Brush and rinse the glasses afterward to restore their shine. The same method can be used to remove limescale from teapots and electric kettles.
Using white vinegar to clean appliances
To clean the inside of a dishwasher, put one 200 ml measure of white vinegar in a container, place it on the upper rack, and run the dishwasher empty. This reduces limescale and odor buildup inside the machine. To help remove limescale from an iron, put vinegar in its water reservoir, turn on the steam setting, and run it for about 5 minutes. A washing machine can also be cleaned by adding about one and a half 200 ml measures of vinegar and running an empty cycle without detergent. Adding one 200 ml measure of white vinegar to a load of laundry softens the fabric and helps prevent colors from fading.
Other cleaning uses
To polish silverware and jewelry, mix half of a 200 ml measure of white vinegar with two 15 ml measures of baking soda and soak the items in the mixture for about 2 hours. Then rinse them with cold water and wipe them with a soft cloth to make them noticeably shinier. This is a practical alternative for people who want to avoid chemical polishes. White vinegar can be mixed with water in a spray bottle to clean glass surfaces and remove stains and fingerprints. It can also be used to clean pets' living areas for its odor-removing properties, but vinegar does not reliably kill germs, so it is not a substitute for a disinfectant.