Household items are very important for every home. These items are called household items because they can be used for a lot of purposes in the house. When asked about the most used household item, a lot of people are quick to mention an item or two, a prominent item mentioned is the vinegar.
Vinegar is a liquid that consists of acetic acid and water. Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid with a trace of other chemicals, according to Wikipedia. Acetic acid is produced by a two-step fermentation process that includes the conversion of simple carbohydrates to ethanol.
Vinegar has been in existence for a very long time now, in fact, its making can be traced as far back as when alcohol brewing started.
Vinegar comes in a range of flavors and types and this can be attributed to what it is made of or from. As the types of vinegar differ, their uses, however times of vinegar can perform more than one function. Below are some of the types of vinegar that there are.
Types Of Vinegar
Vinegar is an important part of the home for a lot of people and has been in use for many years now. The uses of vinegar are broad and you will be surprised at how much you have not exceeded the limit of this wonder. This is a list of the kinds of vinegar:
1. Distilled white vinegar
The distilled white vinegar is also known as spirit vinegar or alcohol vinegar, it is the standard kind of vinegar and this is commonly found and used in the kitchen. The distilled white vinegar is created from the purest ethanol, little wonder it comes with a harsh flavor. Apart from being very useful for some culinary activities, the distilled white vinegar is quite effective in activities when it is diluted with water, especially on large surfaces.
2. White Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar comes in a fruity flavor, popularly used for several food and sauces, especially since it is less punchy than red wine vinegar. White wine vinegar is gotten from white wine i.e. champagne and pinot-gris. The white wine vinegar is an excellent choice for dishes where you’ll like to retain the natural color.
The vinegar will not change the color of your dish, unlike the red wine vinegar. There are many dishes that white wine vinegar can be used for. Note that the white wine vinegar may not be suitable for other activities.
3. Rice Vinegar
Just like its name, the rice vinegar is made from fermented starches in rice, with the use of acetic acid bacteria and also, a tiny amount of rice wine and this is to convert the sugar into acetic acid.
Although rice vinegar is often referred to as rice wine vinegar, they are not the same as rice vinegar is not made from rice wine and is also not alcoholic. Rice vinegar is used for various dishes, especially food particular to the Asian culture.
4. Champagne Vinegar
Champagne vinegar is mild, floral vinegar, made from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. Similar to other types of vinegar, the base wine is combined with acetic acid bacteria and allowed to age until it turns into acetic acid. Although champagne vinegar comes with a strong flavor than white wine, it is considered lighter than most others. It is preferable to use it for the finishing touch for your dishes, then during cooking.
5. Apple Vinegar
Similar to other types of vinegar, the apple vinegar is gotten from fermented apple juice, and added with the necessary bacteria to convert it to acetic acid. Apple vinegar is usually promoted to be useful for health benefits and not just for cooking. It can be used for dressing various dishes.
While there are various types of vinegar, and beyond what is listed above, the focus is on distilled white vinegar.
10 Ways To Use Distilled White Vinegar At Home
Did you know? The white distilled vinegar has beneficial nutrients in it, little wonder it can perform so many functions. Below is the nutritional value of the distilled white vinegar:
| Content | Amount/g |
|---|---|
| CALORIES | 43 |
| CARBOHYDRATE | 0.1 |
| MANGANESE | 0.1 |
| SELENIUM | 1.2 |
| CALCIUM | 14.3 |
| MAGNESIUM | 2.4 |
| PHOSPHORUS | 9.5 |
Although a lot of people are familiar with distilled white vinegar, not many are fully enlightened on the many things it can be used for. Here is a guide to provide some insights on the number of ways to make use of distilled white vinegar.
1. Cleaning
Apart from cooking, a popularly known way to make use of distilled white vinegar is cleaning. Among the many types of vinegar that are there, distilled white vinegar is the most suitable for cleaning surfaces. This is because the distilled white vinegar has no coloring agent; hence it will not leave any stain behind. Mix vinegar with water, at an equal ratio and pour in a spray bottle and spray on the surface you need to clean.
2. Teeth Whitening
Using distilled white vinegar for teeth whitening is an approved method of whitening teeth by the FDA. It is considered to provide the same effect going to the dentist would provide you, with the difference of spending much less with the former than the latter.
Vinegar for whitening teeth is an old home remedy and has been found useful ever since. The distilled white vinegar works well for whitening teeth, however, you need to use it appropriately and possibly mix it with another agent, such as baking soda, before you can use it.
3. Prevents Fading
An effective way to protect your colored clothes, from fading is to make use of distilled white vinegar, however, distilled white vinegar will only restore your cloth colors that are dulled by the alkalies in detergent.
This means that distilled white vinegar will not restore your cloth’s color if it is old. It is also important that you know the type of fabrics you are using, so the use of vinegar does not further damage it. Simply add a half cup of vinegar to the wash, when you are about to rinse.
4. Insecticide
Distilled white vinegar is one of the best home remedies for getting rid of insects and bugs. It’s easy to make and considered safe for pets and humans.
The acidity in the vinegar has so much potency to kill insects, however, it is considered a contact-type insecticide, which means, you have to spray it directly on the insects. Apart from this, mixing white vinegar with other essential oils will increase its effectiveness.
5. Stain Remover
Distilled white vinegar is not only effective for whitening teeth and fabrics but also very effective for removing stains. Regardless of what stain it is, you can never go wrong with the use of white vinegar. However, the use of vinegar for your stains differs depending on what type of stain it is. for example, for a tomato stain, all you need to do is to pour some vinegar on the stain and allow it to soak in. then wash it off after a while.
6. Unclog Drain
We do not enjoy it when we have our drains clogged, no one does. However, you can make the work easy with the use of distilled white vinegar. Mix some vinegar with baking soda, let it foam and add it to your drainage hole, then run the hot water tap. This will not only clear the drain but also eliminate the bad drainage smell.
7. Removes Awful Smell Around The Home
Although the smell of distilled white vinegar can be harsh, we consider it pleasant compared to some other smells. The distilled white vinegar is your go-to for getting rid of any kind of smell that is unpleasant to you.
Mix the vinegar with some water and spray in the surrounding. If you have the smell on your clothes, mix some vinegar to your last rinse in a washing machine and put your clothes in it.
8. Prevents Mold
Distilled white vinegar is a mild acid, that can kill about 83% of mold species and also prevent a future outbreak of mold. All you need to do is to pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the surface. You shouldn’t mix the vinegar, due to the resilience of mold.
9. Cooking
This is perhaps, the most known use of distilled white vinegar. In various parts of the world, vinegar is used for different delicacies, either for cooking or for dressing. This is not limited to the distilled white vinegar; other kinds of vinegar are often used for cooking as well as dressing.
10. Whitening fabrics
One of the best home remedies for whitening fabrics is distilled white vinegar. You can trust your vinegar to whiten your clothes, without bleaching them. Boil a mixture of vinegar and water for a while and let your white garments stay in it for long hours, then wash in the washing machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can distilled white vinegar be used in food?
Yes, distilled white vinegar can be used for food. It can be used for a wide range of food, during cooking, baking, and dressing. Distilled white vinegar can also be used to pickle fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs. Be cautious with the amount of vinegar as too much vinegar in the food can be harmful to you.
What does distill white vinegar do in cooking?
Distilled white vinegar performs a lot of functions when used during cooking. A notable one is that distilled white vinegar adds flavor to your food, alongside this, it helps tenderize meat, and makes rice less starchy and fluffier. It also makes use of white distilled vinegar to balance out the sweetness and enhance saltiness.
Final Thoughts
Vinegar is a must-have in every home, apart from the listed uses above, vinegar can be used for more things. You must adhere strictly to the measurement of what you need to use it for, as a little too much can be harmful.
It is advised that when using distilled white vinegar in the case of a large infestation, it shouldn’t be used as a standalone treatment but should be used alongside other effective agents for better effectiveness.