Latest News

March 2012

Silent Springs Institute Study on a Variety of Consumer Products; vinegar suggested as an alternative cleaner
Silent Springs Institute has published a study in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives thattested a variety of consumer products for the presence of many suspect chemicals. (According to its website, “Silent Spring Institute is staffed and led by researchers dedicated to science that serves the public interest.”)  The researchers tested over 213 products in 50 categories for 55 chemicals of concern, including parabens, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), antimicrobials, cyclosiloxanes, glycol ethers, and fragrances.  The study is titled, “Endocrine Disruptors and Asthma- Associated Chemicals in Consumer Products.”

Of particular VI interest, the group has issued a document, “Top 12 Tips for Greening Your Cleaning and Personal Care,” which recommends choosing “plain water, baking soda and vinegar for cleaning.”  Use this link to access the tips (pdf).

According to forbes.com, the study has been criticized by manufacturers “for being biased and for relying in part on old information. The article notes, “This study presents a clear example of biased, advocacy-based research,” says William Troy, Ph.D., Scientific Advisor to the International Fragrance Association North America. “It is a repackaging of older information and the methodology used defies basic principles and standards of scientific protocols and investigations. The advice to consumers based on study findings is simply wrong,” said Dr. Troy.”

Use Vinegar to Clean Rust from Cast Iron Pan
Lifehacker (Australia) suggests using vinegar to clean iron from cast iron.The directions given are as follows:  “Mix the water and [white] vinegar 50/50, and let the pan soak in the mixture for an hour or up to six depending on how bad the rust is. Then gently scrub the rust away from the cast iron pan with your scrubber.”  To read the entire article, use this

Use Vinegar for Bacteria and Mold on Berries
Lifehacker (Australia) also shares a tip with their readers from Cook’s Illustrated to keep mold off of berries. The article notes that a vinegar and water solution destroys bacteria and mold spores, which allows the berries to last longer.  Click here to learn more.

Use Vinegar for a Fresh Smelling Car
Detroitnews.com (Michigan) offers readers tips to keep their cars smelling fresh, including the use of vinegar.  The tip is as follows: “To remove bad odors, experts say, saturate a cloth with vinegar and leave it in the car (in a plastic tub) overnight; it'll absorb ugly smells.”  Click here to read the article.

Spring Cleaning Tips from the New York Times
In the Home and Garden section of The New York Times(online), the author gives tips to get a jump on spring cleaning.  He suggests using vinegar as an ingredient in a “home-brewed” window cleaner and an all-purpose cleaning solution.  The tips are noted below:

“Rubbing alcohol and vinegar are also useful. For a home-brewed window cleaner, mix one cup of alcohol with one cup of water and add a tablespoon of white wine vinegar. For an all-purpose cleaning solution, add one-quarter cup of vinegar to a gallon of water.”

Use Vinegar to Clean Your Sump-Pump
Fox10TV.com (Mobile, AL and Pensacola/Ft. Walton Beach, FL) offers tips from Angie’s List to keep your house dry as suggested by “highly rated plumbing companies.”   (Angie’s List is  the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews).  One tip focuses on sump pumps and suggests periodically pouring white vinegar through the unit to eliminate any build up. 

What is Mother of Vinegar and What’s Vinegar Good For?
Asks Jeanné McCartin in an article titled the same and posted on seacoastonline.com. The article focuses on the history of vinegar, its shelf life (with information attributed to The Vinegar Institute), vinegar varieties and vinegar tips.

Hints from Heloise – Vinegar Strength
A reader asks Heloise about vinegar strengths.  Heloise’s answer was published in Goerie.com and is noted below:

There are two percentages of vinegar, 5 percent and 9 percent, available in Texas and some Southern states, but not in all parts of the country.

The 5 percent typically is the one people use with food. The 9 percent does a great job of cleaning (and pickling), but it also can cost more.

However, the price is almost proportionate to the strength. Yes, you can dilute the 9 percent with 1/2 water to get about 4.5 percent, which is pretty close to 5 percent.

Vinegar is cheaper and more eco-friendly than chemical cleaning products. This is why I love vinegar. There are many more hints and uses in my vinegar pamphlet. To receive one, send $5, along with a long, self-addressed, stamped (65 cents) envelope, to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

To help keep car windows frost- and ice-free when the vehicle sits outside, coat all the windows with a solution of 3 parts white or cider vinegar mixed with 1 part water. -- Heloise

Lack of Phosphates in Dishwashing Detergent Causes Cloudy Dishware - Use Vinegar to Shine Them Up
General Electric recently issued a press release on Business Wire noting that phosphates are no longer being included in dishwashing detergents, which is leaving a hazy residue on glasses, plates and utensils for consumers who live in areas with hard water.   According to the release, there is an easy test to determine if consumer’s cloudy dishware or dishwasher’s interior is due to a build up as a result of the detergent’s phosphate-free formulation.  It’s called the “vinegar check,” which involves taking a paper towel, dipping it in vinegar and gently rubbing the glass.  If the cloudiness disappears, it’s hard water build up.  The release also notes, “If your vinegar check reveals an issue of build-up, you can wipe out the problem fairly easily according to dishwashing chemists at GE.  Either dump two cups of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher and run it on the coolest, shortest heat setting possible, or use a detergent booster. ‘A detergent additive will take the calcium and magnesium out of the water, similar to what phosphates used to do’.”