Fifty things to do with sour wine

October 24th, 2007

The word vinegar comes from the Old French vin aigre, meaning “sour wine.” Vinegar itself comes from a fermentation of alcohol to produce its key ingredient, acetic acid. It has been used since ancient times, and is a valued addition to cuisines around the world.

Your grandmother probably used it to clean windows, or add a little zip to her cole slaw, but there is so much more vinegar can do.

Sprayed full strength on walks and driveways, vinegar will starve and kill grass and weeds, deter ants and keep cats away as well.

Sprinkle vinegar on any area you don't want the cat walking, sleeping, or scratching on; such as your favourite chair, or your side of your girlfriend’s bed.

It has been used to remove skunk smell from dogs, and can keep them from scratching their ears when applied with a clean, soft cloth.

A little vinegar in their drinking water can keep chickens from pecking each other.

A vinegar marinade will tenderize meat, and a good soak after adding a tablespoon to a bowl of water can freshen wilted vegetables.

Adding a splash to the water will keep eggs from cracking when you boil them.

It will soothe mosquito, bee and jellyfish stings, along with sunburn and dry, itchy skin.

If you suffer from all of the above, vinegar will probably come up short as a solution to your problems, but is still worth a try.

A touch of vinegar will remove sticky residue left by shampoo, and it has been used to fight dandruff as well.

Soak your daughter’s hair and clothes in vinegar before she goes on a date, and it will help you sleep at night.

For the handyman, vinegar will polish car chrome and is a moderately effective rust remover as well.

Medicinally, a brief gargle and swallow will soothe a sore throat. It offers relief for sinus infections and chest colds, and a teaspoon of cider vinegar in a glass of water, with a bit of honey added for flavor, will take the edge off your appetite and give you an overall healthy feeling.

Rub it on your fingers, and vinegar will remove onion and fruit stains. It cleans and deodorizes all sorts of kitchen areas, from cutting boards to sink drains, will clean your teapot or fridge, and cut grease in dishwater.

Pour it down a clogged drain with baking soda, and enjoy the show.

Soak a piece of bread in vinegar and let it sit, and it will freshen a lunchbox overnight. Use the bread for a big, soggy vinegar sandwich the next day, and no one will want to trade lunches with your child ever again.

Boiling a solution of a quarter cup of vinegar to one cup of water in a microwave will loosen splattered on food and deodorize it. The cat probably won’t go near it either.

A half cup in the rinse cycle will get rid of lint in clothes and brighten fabric colours. Immersing your clothes in full strength vinegar before washing will help hold the colours. You can even get the smoke smell out of clothes, by adding it to hot water and hanging the clothes above the steam.

Because I don’t have a cat, a lunchbox, or problem with jellyfish, I haven’t actually tried half of these helpful hints. I have found vinegar extremely useful, however, in keeping my Dad out of my french fries. He hates the sour wine.