The kitchen wiz

Vegetarian Times, April, 2006

If you think of only three uses for vinegar (adding bite to salad dressings, getting the dirt out of linoleum and making your kid's papier-mache volcano erupt for the science fair), you're really not being very creative. It turns out that vinegar has scores of uses, from the medicinal (it has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties) to the mundane. Here are a few, courtesy of the Vinegar Institute:

* SOOTHE SUNBURN Spritz the affected area with undiluted white or cider vinegar.

* DE-STAIN FINGERS Remove cherry or berry stains by wiping hands with vinegar.

* CLEAN AND DEODORIZE GARBAGE DISPOSAL Mix 1 cup vinegar with enough water to fill an ice cube tray, freeze it, then feed the: cubes down the disposal. Rinse with cold water for 1 minute.

* FRESHEN FLOWERS Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar per quart of water to your vase.

* REMOVE DEODORANT STAINS FROM CLOTHES Rub area with white vinegar and launder as usual.

* BOIL EGGS BETTER If an egg cracks as you're--boiling it, add a little vinegar to the pot to keep the white from running out.

* SOOTHE A SORE THROAT Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 2 tablespoons honey into 1 cup of hot water; gargle.

* KILL WEEDS Spray with distilled white vinegar; repeat until they're gone.

* REPEL ANTS Wash countertops and cabinets with white vinegar.