Feature Photo Credit: Caitlin Bensel on Pinterest
Today I wanted to talk about vinegar, as a recent red wine spill on an almost brand-new carpet over Christmas reminded me why it’s so versatile. I tried salt to soak up the wine, but it didn’t work and left a stain that we finally managed to remove using vinegar.
The exact origin of vinegar remains a mystery, with historical records providing no insights into the initial creation of white vinegar or its original usage. Nevertheless, for countless generations, women have shared invaluable cleaning advice involving vinegar, praising its versatility long before it found its place in commercial cleaning formulations.
When I was living in Vietnam, I experimented with all types of homemade cleaning products using vinegar and various other ingredients, so I wanted to share some of these with you and give you some insight into the amazing properties of vinegar, not just as a cleaning product but also as a culinary one, and why it should be a staple in every household.
The History of Vinegar
The word vinegar is derived from the French phrase “vin aigre,” meaning sour wine. The first documentation was of pickled cucumber seeds that were brought from north India in 2030 BCE to the Tigris Valley. The Babylonians were reputed to have utilised vinegar as a medicine and disinfectant, a preservative, and even a drink to promote wellness in 5000 BCE.
Legend has it that vinegar was discovered after some wine was accidentally left in storage for several months, causing it to ferment and turn sour; however, throughout history, various civilisations, including Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, have used vinegar for a variety of purposes, including preserving food, treating wounds, and as a cleaning agent. In the Sung dynasty, in China, vinegar was also used to stop bleeding, increasing chi or qi (Vital energy) and removing toxins.
IN ANCIENT EGYPT
Cleopatra extolled the virtues of vinegar as a beauty treatment, and understanding of its properties played a role in the mummification process. Hippocrates, a renowned physician from 400 BCE, stands as one of the earliest respected medical figures advocating the use of vinegar in treatments.
IN ANCIENT GREECE
The Ancient Greeks revered vinegar as a health elixir, acknowledging its antibacterial properties; they used it in a beverage known as oxycrat that was popular among the people. Comprising a blend of water, vinegar, and honey, it was preserved in specialized jars called oxydes.
THE ROMANS
The Romans drank posca, a water and vinegar mixture, to quench their thirst. Sellers of posca, often from the working class, were comparable to modern coconut sellers in Italy. Posca was believed to provide strength, contrasting wine, which led to intoxication.
Repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, Jesus on the Cross is recorded as having been given a sponge soaked in posca as an act of pity by a compassionate Praetorian Guard. Romans used acetabulum, a bowl with vinegar, during banquets to cleanse palates between dishes and aid digestion. Apicius, a first-century AD gastronome, featured vinegar prominently in almost all his recipes.
IN THE MIDDLE AGES
During the Middle Ages, Orleans, France, witnessed the emergence of a thriving wine vinegar industry with up to 300 active producers. This development culminated in the formation of a guild known as the Vinegar, Sauce, and Mustard Makers of Orleans. Concurrently, the traditional method of crafting balsamic vinegar, originating in Modena, Italy, gained widespread popularity across Europe as individuals explored the novel and exquisite aromas associated with this distinctive style.
VINEGAR AND THE PLAGUE
During the 14th century, the Plague ravaged Europe, causing widespread death. Until 1670, outbreaks persisted annually.
In 1720, during the last major epidemic in Western Europe in Marseilles, residents defended against disease-causing air by inhaling vinegar-soaked sponges. Doctors, avoiding breathing through their mouths or swallowing saliva, kept vinegar-soaked sponges attached to their noses.
Nurses carried bowls of vinegar for doctors to dip their hands before touching patients. As the plague subsided, affected houses’ walls were washed with vinegar.
Louis Pasteur’s investigation of pasteurization and bacteria in 1864 sparked significant advancements in vinegar production techniques, paving the way for a wave of new industrial manufacturers.
During the 19th century, women would inhale vinegar to revive themselves from the discomfort of overly tight corsets or alleviate a severe migraine. Additionally, household heads would place an open bottle of vinegar next to the bed of a person suffering from the flu to prevent those caring for them from falling ill. However, for our forebears, vinegar played diverse roles in syrups, emulsifying potions, ointments, decoctions, mouthwashes, sublimates, lotions, eye drops, salves, soaps, and swabs. It found applications in rinses, frictions, gargles, foot baths, fumes, washes, inhalations, irrigations, bandages, poultices, and more.
WHAT IS VINEGAR?
Vinegar is a combination of acetic acid and water created through a two-step fermentation process. First, yeast feeds on the sugar or starch of any liquid from a plant food like fruits, whole grains, potatoes, or rice, which ferments into alcohol. The alcohol is then exposed to oxygen and the acetic acid bacteria Acetobacter to ferment again over several weeks or months, forming vinegar.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandates vinegar to contain at least 4% acetic acid, but commonly used kinds of vinegar can range up to 8%. While acetic acid is responsible for the tart and pungent flavours and odours we associate with vinegar, it also contains trace vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids, and polyphenolic compounds.
Various types of vinegar offer distinct properties and applications:
Culinary Benefits
Vinegar is a crucial ingredient used in kitchens worldwide. Its acidic properties not only enhance the flavour of dishes but also balance sweetness and tenderise meats. From salad dressings and marinades to pickling vegetables, vinegar’s tangy taste elevates dishes while providing natural preservation.
This liquid ingredient tends to have a low nutritional value, with one tablespoon of vinegar containing anywhere between 2 to 15 calories depending on the type. Some types, like distilled vinegar, have no nutrient value at all, while others have trace amounts of nutrients. Vinegar is also free of sodium and sugar, but it’s important to note that not all kinds of vinegar are calorie-free; some blends contain grape juice, wine vinegar, and added sugar. Be sure to read your labels and ingredient lists to know exactly what you are getting!
There are several types of vinegar available for your cooking, each with its unique characteristics and perfect for certain everyday tasks:
WHITE DISTILLED VINEGAR
- Properties: Made by fermenting distilled alcohol, which often originates from fermented grains. Clear and sharp flavour.
- Uses: Commonly used in pickling, marinades, and salad dressings. Also commonly used as a cleaning agent or a disinfectant.
Apple Cider Vinegar
- Properties: Made fromMade from the liquid of crushed apples or fermented apple juice, this vinegar has a faint apple flavour and is lower in acidity than other types. With a slightly sweet and fruity taste it boasts a wide range of minerals and vitamins.
- Uses: Used in cooking, for pickling, salad dressings, and often promoted for its potential health benefits. Often used in natural remedies. and Made from fermented apple juice, with a slightly sweet and fruity taste and boasts a wide range of minerals and vitamins.Uses: Used in cooking, for pickling, salad dressings, and often promoted for its potential health benefits. Often used in natural remedies.
Red Wine Vinegar
- Properties: Derived from red wine, it has a rich, robust flavor.
- Uses: Ideal for salad dressings, marinades, and enhancing the flavour of sauces and stews.
Balsamic Vinegar
- Properties: Made from fermented grape must (whole pressed grapes). Thick, dark brown, sweet, and aged, with a complex flavour profile, is often milder and sweeter than other vinegars.
- Uses: Perfect as a “reduction” sauce and for drizzling over salads, vegetables, and fruits or ice cream. When cooked it can be used for caramelizing vegetables. Also used in marinades, sauces and reductions and sprinkled over strawberries.
Rice Vinegar
- Properties: Made from fermented rice, it has a mild and slightly sweet taste.
- Uses: Commonly used in Asian cuisine, especially for sushi rice, sweet and sour dishes, seafood, salad dressings, and as a dipping sauce.
Malt Vinegar
- Properties: Made from fermented un-hopped beer or malted barley, it has a malty flavour.
- Uses: Popular in British cuisine, especially with fish and chips. Also used in pickling, sauces and for chutney.
White Wine Vinegar
- Properties: Made from fermented white wine, offering a light and tangy taste.
- Uses: Suitable for salad dressings, marinades, light sauces and flavoured vinegars such as chilli, basil, tarragon and thyme. For this type of vinegar, fruit purees or herbs like rosemary or sage are infused in a vinegar base (usually wine vinegar) to create unique flavours for vinaigrette dressings and marinades.
Black Vinegar
- Properties: Originating from Asia, it has a complex, umami-rich flavour.
- Uses: Commonly used in Chinese and Japanese cuisine for dipping sauces, braises, and marinades.
Health Benefits
Since ancient times, vinegar has been used for medicinal purposes such as a digestive aid, an antibacterial balm to dress wounds, and as a treatment for coughs.
Current scientific research does not support the effectiveness of vinegar in treating any medical conditions; however, some animal studies and small human studies have suggested that vinegar may provide various health benefits, fuelling its popularity in mainstream media.
Diabetes
A handful of human and animal studies have found that a daily intake of vinegar could help people with diabetes or prediabetes. These studies observed a group of individuals who were healthy, insulin-resistant, or had type 2 diabetes and found that taking vinegar (ranging in amount from 2-4 teaspoons daily) significantly reduced glucose and insulin levels after meals. Of course, we’d still need further research before making any official recommendations for the use of vinegar in glycemic control, but I think it’s already a great start!
Weight Loss
Vinegar causes a delay in digestion and stomach emptying, which tends to produce a feeling of fullness when eating, thereby causing one to eat less. While it may not directly result in weight loss, its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels can also mitigate the frequent feelings of hunger associated with fluctuations in blood sugar.
These combined effects might help reduce weight, and although this is just a theory, it has actually helped a lot of people lose weight; one short study showed that taking apple cider vinegar twice a day helped people following a reduced-calorie diet lose a few extra pounds.
Cancer
Vinegar contains polyphenols, plant chemicals that have an antioxidant effect that may protect cells from oxidative stress, a possible stimulator of tumour growth. Some cell and mouse studies suggest that vinegar may prevent the growth of cancer cells or cause tumour cells to die. Although there is still a lack of research on humans showing the benefit of vinegar with this disease, vinegar adds flavour and complements other plant foods that contain polyphenols like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. So why not use it in our foods anyway?!
Gastrointestinal
Vinegar has been taken as a home remedy to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. If GERD is caused by a stomach condition of too low acid, a theory is that taking vinegar may increase stomach acid and improve digestion. Of course, it’s important to note that taking too much vinegar at once in a concentrated form can cause side effects such as stomach upset, irritation of the oesophagus, and erosion of the tooth enamel. SO vinegar is good but in the right quantities.
Cleaning Benefits
While vinegar has been a longtime kitchen staple, it can also be used for a variety of household cleaning and maintenance tasks. Distilled white vinegar and cleaning vinegar are particularly versatile and can help you save money without causing damage to surfaces.
Both types of vinegar are produced through a process where alcohol is fermented by microorganisms and transformed into acetic acid and water. Distilled white vinegar contains around 5% acetic acid and 95% water, whereas cleaning vinegar has a 6% concentration of acetic acid, making it 20% stronger than distilled white vinegar.
DIY VINEGAR CLEANER RECIPE
Mix 8 ounces of distilled white vinegar with 8 ounces of water in a 16-ounce glass spray bottle. If desired, enhance the mixture by including several long strips of lemon zest and/or a handful of fresh rosemary sprigs, or 5 to 10 drops of lavender or lemongrass essential oil. While the addition of scent is not crucial for the solution’s effectiveness, it does contribute a delightful aroma to all surfaces you clean: however, the aroma of vinegar disappears as vinegar dries!
This vinegar base is a natural cleanser and mild disinfectant that kills common foodborne bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.
If you’ve never used vinegar for your household cleaning process before, #cleantok is a great place to start with fast and easy tips. I’ve recently come across @thespruceofficial account, where they share all sorts of cleaning tips, including a few videos about cleaning with vinegar, which you can see here and here.
Uses of Vinegar Cleaner
IN THE home
When disaster strikes – carpet stains can be removed using a mixture of one teaspoon of vinegar and two teaspoons of washing up liquid. Dilute with warm water and spray onto the stain. Dab repeatedly, then press the cloth on the spot for a few seconds. Wait another 15 minutes. (This is an important step, because white vinegar removes residual detergent, which will attract dirt if left on the carpet.) Rinse by blotting with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Repeat these steps until it is gone. It is always advisable to to test the vinegar on a part of the carpet that is hidden before use, to determine if it will affect the colour of the carpet.
Vinegar can remove mildew, odours and detergent residue from clothing and washing machines, as well as stains from many types of fabric. To remove white deodorant stains a quick rub with full-strength vinegar for a few minutes, before washing, should do the trick. Vinegar can also be used to remove light scorch marks on tea towels – rub with a cloth soaked in vinegar before washing.
All clothes can benefit from a dash of white vinegar to to break down detergent and to soften the fabric; vinegar will assist in deodorizing and disinfecting the clothing as it helps kill bacteria, so it’s great for nappies and baby clothes.
Use vinegar for removing adhesives, old stickers and labels by rubbing the area – leave for a while before removing.
In the bathroom
The deodorizing and disinfectant properties of vinegar make it an excellent choice for cleaning the bathroom and will prevent mildew from forming. Create a window and glass cleaner by mixing equal parts vinegar and distilled water in a clean spray bottle. This solution can also be used for cleaning shower curtains.
To remove soap scum from your bathroom, fill a spray bottle with two parts distilled white vinegar, one part dishwashing liquid, and two parts water. Spray the solution onto dirty surfaces and let it sit for five minutes before scrubbing with a nylon-bristled brush or wiping with a microfiber cloth.
To unclog mineral deposits in your showerhead, soak a towel in vinegar and leave it wrapped around the head or fill a transparent plastic bag with vinegar and tape it across the showerhead, so that the spray area is immersed in vinegar and leave it overnight.
Create a sparkling toilet bowl cleaner by regularly using distilled white vinegar. which also works as a deodorizer. Place two cups of vinegar in the bowl and leave overnight.
IN THE KITCHEN
Vinegar can remove stains and odours from microwaves, descale coffee makers and tea kettles, and clean greasy stovetops, as well as cleaning grime and watermarks from sinks. Vinegar is also great for wiping down and deodorizing stinky bins.
Instead of buying those expensive unclogger liquids, try pouring a mixture of hot water, baking soda, and vinegar down slow-running drains to unclog them.
To clean the oven mix baking soda and water until you get a spreadable paste. Spread the paste over all walls of the oven, but not on the heating elements and leave on overnight. Wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove as much of the baking soda as possible. Using a spray bottle, spray vinegar onto the walls of the oven. This will react and foam slightly when it comes into contact with any remaining baking soda. You should then wipe off again with a damp cloth. Use the same process to clean the oven racks.
For your kettle, just boil a full kettle of water with a couple of teaspoons of vinegar, and leave overnight. Rinse the kettle before use, fill with water and boil, then rinse a second time.
Use on wooden chopping boards to destroy bacteria – wash the board with hot water then wipe with full-strength vinegar.
WEED AND PEST CONTROL
Animals will pick up the scent of vinegar, which is good if you wish to keep them away from certain areas. Wipe down surfaces with vinegar to repel ants and other pests. A natural and cost-effective solution for a insect-free home!
Use a stronger cleaning vinegar to kill weeds growing in cracks on your property. Just spray it on and you’ll be removing the dead weeds shortly after.
CAUTIONS
In addition to its eco-friendly nature and affordability, a DIY vinegar cleaner does not demand the same safety precautions as potent chemical-based cleaners that may cause irritation to your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It’s essential to note however, that while vinegar is effective for general cleaning, it is not sufficient to eliminate COVID-19 or other cold-causing viruses and it should be avoided in certain cases:
- Stone countertops and wood floors.Vinegar can etch granite and marble, ruining its natural shine. It can also eat away at the enamel on hardwood paneling, causing it to dull or warp.
- Metal and rubber appliances. Acetic acid can corrode low-quality metal and rubber parts used in coffee makers or blenders.
- Light switches and door handles. Despite the mild disinfectant properties of vinegar, rubbing alcohol works better for sanitizing frequently touched surfaces.
The Sustainability of Vinegar
White vinegar, as an all-natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic substance, is a popular choice for natural cleaning and cooking and is considered eco-friendly. Its eco-friendly properties make it a perfect substitute for chemical-laden products.
Reduced Environmental Impact
White vinegar is produced through fermentation, a natural process that uses organic materials like grains or fruits and generates minimal waste, making it a renewable and eco-friendly ingredient.
Some artisanal producers use organic materials in the production process of vinegar, which further reduces the environmental impact of something that is already 100% natural, renewable, and biodegradable. It’s also hypoallergenic, vegan, and non-toxic, making it safe for the environment and human health.
By making our own cleaning products with vinegar, we can reduce the environmental burden caused by manufacturing, usage, and disposal of chemical-laden products, and minimise the use of plastic bottles by refilling the same one instead.
Reduces Food Waste
Vinegar’s role in pickling and preserving food helps reduce food waste by extending the shelf life of perishable items, aligning with sustainable practices aimed at minimising food waste.
This simple liquid has become a versatile substance that possesses practical, medicinal, and culinary properties. In addition to its many uses, vinegar is also celebrated for its eco-friendly and sustainable attributes, making it an essential part of any environmentally conscious lifestyle. Using vinegar as a natural cleaning ingredient is an easy way to contribute to sustainable practices and reduce our environmental impact.
If you have any vinegar hacks or recipe’s I would love to hear about them. Just message me in the box below.