Elements For A Healthier Life Magazine Issue 11 | March 2017 | Page 60

Living in a region that naturally has an abundance of calcium in the water, I learned as a young mother that vinegar was a miracle worker. Around the kitchen and bathroom faucets, we’d have a build-up of calcium and various minerals from our well-water. With small children that liked to get into everything, my intention was to use as little chemicals as possible when cleaning. I later found out (through trial and error) that nothing works faster or better than plain ole white vinegar for many cleaning tasks.

My father showed me how to fix the slow kitchen faucet. He removed the screen and showed me how clogged it was from mineral deposits. He then placed it in a cup and poured vinegar to cover it, letting it set overnight. In the morning, I cleaned the screen with a soft bristle toothbrush and screwed it back onto the faucet.

Other things I do with white vinegar:

Clean coffee makers and glass karafs. Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 parts water, pour into water receptacle, let it soak for half to one hour, turn on coffee maker to run vinegar/water mixture through the system.

Cleaning floors. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar. Spray on floors to dampen, wipe with mop. (Note: do not saturate floors).

Clear sink drains can be done without harsh chemicals. Pour baking soda down drain, then slowly pour vinegar down drain. The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda creates a ‘fizz’. This may come up into sink. When the ‘fizzing’ has ceased, run warm water down drain.

Glass/mirror cleaner. Spray vinegar onto glass surface, wipe dry.

Vinegar,

the Miracle Worker

by CK Kochis

60 | ElementsForAHealthierLife.com | March 2017