Ode to My Beloved White Vinegar

Today's Maine Sunday Telegram contains an article extolling the virtues of white vinegar. My heart swelled with pride as I read it. It was if one of my own had been noticed, finally, for all of its goodness.

I've used white vinegar for various cleaning jobs for many years. It was when we bought a new car last year, however, that I totally fell in love with white vinegar. Now we're joined at the hip.

I'd tried everything to get the film off the inside of the new car's windows: store-bought window cleaners, even baking soda (what a mess that made!), but nothing would do the trick.

Then I consulted my trusty Talking Dirty with the Queen of Clean, and she suggested a mixture of white vinegar, water, and a tad of isopropyl alcohol. Voila! Finally, finally, I had clean, unstreaked, un-filmy car windows.

So now there is no stopping me: I keep the spray bottle handy, and I use it to clean nearly everything: the bathroom mirror (It no longer clouds up when I take a shower), the microwave, the stove top, the door of the dishwasher, the t.v. screen, you name it. I even wash the kitchen floor with water and a glug of white vinegar.

Another thing I've added to my housecleaning arsenal is six large, white, all-cotton cloths. I bought these for little or nothing at a discount store (Marden's, for you Mainers), and I use and reuse them constantly. I toss them in the washer after each use, whether I've been washing windows or dusting or cleaning the bathroom, and I have supply on hand at all times for the next cleaning gig. Sure saves on paper towels, and they do a better job than paper towels.

These are my cleaning tips for today. Try white vinegar, folks. You won't look back.