Latest News

June 2008

June

Vinegar Effective Against Sea Squirts
A recent online article on seattlepi.com (Seattle, Washington) shared with readers the issues with sea squirts (from Asia), which spread out and suffocate native sea life, such as clams, mussels and oysters.  The article notes that the sea squirts are being removed manually, but the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is looking for a permanent solution that might include the use of acetic acid (vinegar) as one of the best alternatives.  To read this article, use this link. 

Martha Stewart Recommends Vinegar for Eliminating Musty Odors and Fruit Flies
In the online version of The Detroit News (detnews.com, Detroit, Michigan), Martha Stewart recommends eliminating the musty smell of old cabinets with white distilled vinegar.  She suggests placing a glass or ceramic dish filled with white distilled vinegar in the cabinet and leaving it overnight or until the smell disappears.

To eliminate fruit flies, Martha shares with readers a tip from Mike Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, who recommends the use of a trapping device, as follows:  Fold a sheet of paper into a funnel, and insert its point into a narrow-neck jar that contains a banana slice or a drop of cider vinegar. Once lured into the jar, fruit flies won't find their way out.

To read the entire online article, use this link.  A similar article was also featured on the online version of the Richmond Times- Dispatch.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Health
A recent online article on MayoClinic.com, titled, "Apple cider vinegar for weight loss:  Does it work?" discusses apple cider vinegar and its popularity as a diet aid.  Mayo Clinic dietitian, Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., answered the question, noting claims are unsubstantiated.  She concluded with, "Fad diets, such as drinking apple cider vinegar for weight loss, may promise quick or easy results — but there's no "magic diet" that will peel off the pounds.  When it comes to losing weight, your best bet is still a healthy, low-calorie diet combined with regular exercise."  To read the entire article, use this link.  

Similarly, an article in the July 2008 issue of Prevention magazine also focused on the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.  In a question and answer format, Andrew Weil, M.D. of the College of Medicine, University of Arizona, also indicated that health benefits related to apple cider vinegar are "simply unsupported."  However, he did note that in some human studies, the vinegar lowered blood sugar slightly and that animal research suggests it may reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, but the results are inconclusive. 

Using Vinegar to Clean
On MSNBC.com, there is an article from Prevention magazine titled, "Are you a 'neat geek'?  Test your grime IQ."  The magazine reveals the fastest and safest ways to tidy up, including the use of vinegar to fight mold, bacteria and grease.  The tip is as follows:

For mold, bacteria and grease: Use vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar. Saturate the affected area and then simply let the vinegar evaporate.

The article can be viewed with this link.

An article in the online version of The New York Times provided readers with recipes for household cleaners, including those that use white distilled vinegar (i.e., drain opener, furniture polish and toilet bowl cleaner).  To read the article, use this link.

In other news, an online article on heraldnet.com (Everett, Washington) focused on the many cleaning uses of vinegar, including as an all-purpose cleaner and to clean drains.  To read the article, use this link.

Pet Odors
An article in the July 2008 issue of Prevention, titled, "Speed Clean the Healthy Way," offers readers the cleanest, safest (and often fastest) way to kill germs and clear grime.  The reference to vinegar is noted below:

Which is Healthier:

Cleaning pet accidents with baking soda or vinegar?

Answer:  Vinegar...The most important thing to do is to break up the enzymes in the urine or stool, says Sarah Hodgson, author of Puppies for Dummies, because the enzymes are what encourage your animal to mark in the same spot again.  Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar (apple cider or white) and water.  Saturate the area with the solution and pat it dry with a paper towel; repeat and let dry." 

In other news, a recent online article in the washingtonpost.com from Heloise references vinegar as the old standby to neutralize skunk odor on pets.  She notes that vinegar can still do a pretty good job, but offers an updated formula from today's veterinarians that does not use vinegar.  If you're interested in reading the tip, click here.