remedies

8 All-Natural Ways to Relieve Sore Muscles

Tara Struyk — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 10:24:03 +0000

The day after the first time I ever lifted weights, my muscles were so sore that it was almost too painful to sit down. That was actually pretty handy, because I didn't have the strength to stand back up again unless I had something to hold on to. I may have overdone it a little.

It wouldn't be the first time. I've run marathons, I've lifted weights, I've rock climbed, I've cycled, and I've strained myself into all kinds of places my inflexible body didn't want to go in yoga. And I've been sore. Very, very sore. (See also: How to Stick to an Exercise Plan)

Frankly, I'm not sure I know when to stop. Fortunately, this isn't about fitness advice; it's about sore muscles. And, thanks to my intemperate approach to exercise, I have learned a few highly effective ways to treat those aches and pains and get back on track. Here are eight of my best sore-muscle remedies.

1. Take It Easy

Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

If you haven't been for a run all summer, you may be eager to push yourself pretty hard. Just. Don't. Do it. That applies to any sport or activity you haven't done before or haven't done much recently. Because while you may feel OK while you're doing it, you will feel the pain the next day — and possibly the next week. Instead, back off and ease back in slowly. I know it sounds lame, but if you do that today, you'll probably still be able to get out of bed tomorrow. In terms of your fitness routine (not to mention your life), that's a good thing. (See also: Tips for Starting Your Exercise Regimen)

2. Warm Up

No matter what kind of workout you're doing, getting to maximum intensity in minimum time is not a good idea. This will become particularly noticeable when you've surpassed the ripe old age of 30 (like me!). If you're running, start slow, or walk a few blocks before you hit your stride. The same goes for swimming, cycling, tennis, or whatever you're into. You don't need an elaborate warm-up routine. Just do some gentle movements that are similar to the higher-intensity version of what you'll be doing until you stop feeling stiff. Your body will thank you for it. Especially tomorrow.

3. Stretch It Out

Whether or not to stretch is a big question in the exercise community right now. Some studies have found that it has no "statistically significant" effect on post-muscle soreness or injury risk. Others have found that stretching before a workout can actually reduce performance and increase the risk of injury.

One thing everyone can agree on is that stretching increases and maintains flexibility and range of motion. If you participate in a repetitive endurance sport and/or sit at a desk all day (I do both), that's pretty important. Does it reduce the chance of injury? I can't say for sure, but if you've ever seen a middle-aged marathoner try to tie his or her shoes, it might just convince you to keep a little flexibility work in your routine, if only to ensure your toes remain within reach.

4. Rest When You Need It

Rest is a good thing, and if you've been working out hard, you'll probably need more of it than usual. This might mean taking a nap, getting to bed a little earlier, or even just taking some time to put your feet up and relax every day. The key is to rest regularly and before you're really tired. Once you get to that point, you could be putting yourself at risk of illness or injury. (See also: 10 Foods That Help You Sleep)

5. Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods

If you're really active, things will hurt. Your knee will get sore. Your shoulder will be tight. Your feet will ache. As long as it passes, it's often a sign that your body's rebuilding and getting stronger. In response, many people reach for the anti-inflammatories. They work, but they aren't very good for you, and they definitely shouldn't be used on a regular basis. What you can do is incorporate a lot of anti-inflammatory foods into your diet. I've found that whether I'm injured or just a little sore, these three foods reduce pain as much as over-the-counter drugs.

Sour Cherry Juice

Research conducted by Oregon Health & Science University found that consuming tart cherry juice while training for a long-distance run significantly reduced pain following exercise. Another study even found that drinking tart cherry juice twice daily for three weeks significantly reduced inflammation among a group of women suffering from osteoarthritis. Apparently, these bright-red fruits contain anthocyanins, which may reduce inflammation levels (and therefore pain) as effectively as some well-known pain medications. If you like cherries (or cherry cough syrup), you'll love this tart-tasting juice. Just be sure to get 100% juice, rather than a juice blend.

Ginger

OK, people, I'm going to recommend a couple of herbal supplements here, but this is not some hippie-dippy thing. I've tried this. It works. And there's 30 years' worth of studies to back me up here.

First up: ginger. It contains some of the most potent inflammation-fighting substances out there in the form of phytonutrients called gingerols. One study even compared the medicinal potential of ginger to common drugs like Advil, Motrin and Aleve. It found that ginger inhibited the same enzymes — and even several genes — that contribute to inflammation. Ginger is also believed to be useful for nausea (works for me), parasites (fortunately, I've never had to try it) and migraine headaches (I don't get them. Let me know if it works for you!). (See also: Dealing With Migraine Headaches)

You can use ginger in curries, make ginger tea, or even snack on dried candied ginger.

Turmeric

Turmeric is another anti-inflammatory spice with a lot of believers. It belongs to the ginger family (go figure), but its active ingredient is curcumin which, like gingerol, inhibits several of the molecules involved in inflammation. A review of six major studies on turmeric found it to be safe and effective at reducing inflammation and pain. When a fall off my bike last summer left my knee so swollen I couldn't bend it, I took turmeric by the spoonful (along with ginger and cherry juice; I leave no stone unturned). It healed up quickly, and I was back in action in little more than a week.
Turmeric is common in many curries, but you can also take it in caplet form, by the spoonful, or make this surprisingly tasty turmeric tea.

6. Wrap It Up

Compression can be great for inflammation. If you're feeling stiff and sore and have some recovering to do, a pair of compression socks or arm sleeves can work wonders. Be forewarned that knee-high socks tend to make a bit of a statement. If you're self-conscious, consider hiding them under a pair of pants.

7. Elevate

If your legs hurt, it feels great to prop them up high on a pillow, or even right up against a wall. Actually, this is a good pose even if you feel just fine.

8. Ice It Down

Long-distance runners often take ice baths to prevent soreness and injury. This entails filling a bathtub with cold water, dumping in a few buckets of ice, and hopping in for up to 20 minutes. You will cry for your mother if you manage to get all the way in there.

I consider that a last resort. I do, however, recommend ice in general. You can freeze a paper cup full of water and peel back the sides to expose the ice and give yourself an "ice massage." You can also pop an ice pack into a compression bandage (Tensor makes some especially for this purpose). Ice for 15 minutes or so at a time, and then allow your skin to warm up again before re-applying. Just keep in mind that ice works best for aches in less fleshy areas, such as your ankles, shins, knees, and elbows. If everything hurts, there's always that ice bath.

Overall, I've found that these remedies will produce results within a day or two. And, hey, if all else fails, you can always take a few days off.

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What remedies do you use for sore muscles? Share them in the comments!

This article is from Tara Struyk of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Household Cleaning Hacks That Save You Money

Nora Dunn — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:10 +0000

Here is an assortment of ways to get more bang for your cleaning buck and efforts. From making your own cleaning solutions to ensuring your appliances are working optimally, most of the techniques below can be used with what you already have on hand. Why not give them a try?

Appliance Maintenance: Dusty Refrigerators

Your fridge is a pig on power and the worst offender in your house. But many fridges are not running optimally to begin with, and you can fix this quite easily.

The coils behind the fridge tend to attract dust, which in turn insulates the coil, making it work harder to actually cool the fridge. The remedy? Unplug the fridge, pull it away from the wall, and vacuum the dust off all the coils. Doing this once per season will save you on power costs. (See also: 7 Ways to Make the Most of a Tiny Kitchen)

Appliance Use: Ironing Efficiency

Run your iron over a sheet of aluminum foil to clean the plate. Then, place the foil under your ironing surface and iron your clothes as usual. The foil acts as a conductor, allowing you to iron from the top and bottom simultaneously.

Natural Air Freshener

Simply dip a cotton ball in an essential oil of your choice and add it to your vacuum bag. Instead of smelling that vacuum odor when you clean, the cotton ball will infuse the air with a light scent. (This technique won't work in all vacuum cleaners; it depends on the kind you have.)

Remove Floor Scratches

Don't worry about spending a small fortune on special scratch remover; simply apply lemon juice and olive oil to your scratch and buff it away. This mixture also makes a good overall furniture polish.

Word of caution: Always test out on a small patch of floor or furniture first.

Homemade Stain Remover

This is a pre-treatment for tough stains on clothes. Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Massage into the stain, then wash as usual. (Again, it's not a bad idea to test this out first, as the lemon juice could affect bright colors.)

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I don't like the chemicals in most detergents. (I say if you can't pronounce it, it's probably not good to eat or wash with.) Not only that, but many commercial detergents require a much higher dose than is necessary. Here are 10 Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes, and you can choose the one you think will work best based on what you have on hand. The basic ingredients are a combination of washing soda, baking soda, bar soap, and/or borax.

Tea and Coffee Stains

Salt is a great abrasive that can lift ingrained coffee and tea stains quite easily.

Cups and Mugs: Simply apply salt and rub into the stain with your fingers. If you are afraid the salt will scratch your cup, then dilute it with a little water and scrub the stains with a soft pad.

Coffee Pots and Coffee Percolators: Fill the pot or percolator with water, add a ¼ cup of salt, and boil or percolate as usual. Pour out the salt water near your garden to repel pests. During winter months, reuse the salt water to wash the insides of your windows to prevent frost. (This is also great for the car, and vinegar also works well for this purpose.)

Over to you: What are your special household cleaning hacks that save you money?

This article is from Nora Dunn of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

30 Household Products Vinegar Can Replace

Nora Dunn — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:00:17 +0000

Who knew that vinegar could do so much? It serves a purpose in just about every room of the house, and there are dozens of household (and personal) products that vinegar can replace, as you will see below. It's cheaper, better for the environment, and better for your health and home (in eliminating unnecessary chemicals).

All-Purpose Cleaners

Vinegar in general is a natural (and inexpensive) disinfectant. It can be used on almost anything except marble. So stick it in a spray bottle and get to work! Here are a few more "recipes" for various cleaning purposes. (See also: Household Cleaning Hacks that Save You Money)

All-purpose cleaner: 2 parts vinegar, 1 part water.

Extra dirty spots: Scour dirty areas with baking soda, then spray the all purpose cleaner (recipe above) over the area and wipe clean.

Floor cleaner: Brew a cup of peppermint tea (use 1 tea bag: one cup for you, one for the floor). Squeeze half a lemon in to the floor mix, and add 1 cup of vinegar. Mop away with your solution; the vinegar disinfects, the tea has antibacterial properties and removes marks, and the lemon freshens and disinfects.

Pee stains on carpet (presumably from pets): Blot up the initial stain, flush it with water, then apply equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot it all up, rinse, and let dry. This will eliminate odors and stains.

Hard water stains and mineral deposits: Allow a cloth soaked in vinegar to sit on a hard water stain (for example behind your faucet) or mineral deposit for a few hours. Wipe clean.

Appliance cleaning: Clean your coffee maker or laundry machine or dishwasher by running vinegar through it, followed by water. This reduces soap buildup and keeps everything in working order.

In The Kitchen

Remove labels from glass jars: Saturate the labeled area in vinegar and scrape the stickiness right off.

Dirty pot bottoms and cooking utensils: Fill the pot with enough water to cover the stain, add 1 cup of vinegar, and boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Let cool, then scrub the stains off. While you're at it, put your stainless steel cooking utensils in the pot to get them sparkly clean too.

Fruit stains on hands: Had a little too much fun making that cherry pie or berry salad? Just rub your hands with vinegar to remove the stains.

Coffee stains on china: Use a mixture of salt and vinegar to clean coffee stains from china.

Wooden cutting boards: Wooden cutting boards are great, except they can be a hothouse for bacteria (especially if grooves have been cut into the board with use). Disinfect it regularly with vinegar to keep it (and your food) clean.

Veggie maintenance: Clean and crisp up your veggies by soaking them in a mixture of water and a tablespoon or so of vinegar. Any bugs lingering on your produce will float away, and your soggy celery will come to life again (depending on how far gone it was to begin with).

Smelly onion hands: Eliminate onion odor off your hands by rinsing them in vinegar. This also apparently works with other stinky parts of your body that soap isn't cutting through, such as underarms.

Clean sticky scissors: Sometimes those scissors get so gummy you can't even make them work. Just wipe them down with vinegar, and they'll be like new again.

Laundry

Fabric softener: There are a few fabric softener strategies you can play with. Add equal parts vinegar and baking soda, OR just ½ a cup of vinegar to your wash when you would add fabric softener (final rinse cycle). Line dried towels will come out softer with a vinegar-based softener.

Water: You can also add 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar to your wash water, which does the following:

Reduces the amount of soap you need to use
Reduces lint
Brightens colors, and stops them from running
Acts as a rinse aid
Keeps the washing machine running clean and well

Stain removal: Use vinegar on stains before washing to remove stubborn ones like perspiration, fruit, mustard, and coffee.

In The Garden

Kill grass and weeds: Pour or spray full strength vinegar on grass or weeds poking through your driveway or rearing their heads in other unsavory places.

In The Car

Frost-free windows: If you know a chilly night is on the make, you can ensure that your windows will be frost-free when you wake up in the morning. Simply mix 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water, and coat your windows with the mixture the night before.

In The Bathroom

Kill soap scum: Wiping a scummy area with vinegar and rinsing with water will do as good a job as any at attacking your bathroom shower grime. If the scum is particularly stubborn, scrub with baking soda (a great natural abrasive) after wiping with vinegar. Rinse with water.

Unclog your shower head: Unscrew it, throw it into a pot of equal parts vinegar and water and boil for a few minutes to loosen deposits that are blocking your shower head.

Personal Use

Hair rinse: If vinegar removes soap scum on your tiles, it stands to reason that it will also remove soap scum on your hair. Rinse with a cup filled with ½ a cup of warm water and ½ a cup of vinegar, and your locks will be shiny and free of buildup.

Dandruff treatment: Using the same technique as the hair rinse above but with a higher concentration of vinegar; also acts as an effective dandruff treatment.

Acne treatment: Apply equal parts vinegar and water to problem areas.

Facial toner: Using vinegar as toner is a great (and inexpensive) alternative to using alpha hydroxyl based products.

Athletes foot (and other fungus): Apply full-strength vinegar to the affected area twice daily until symptoms abate.

Miscellaneous Uses

Eliminate smoke odor: Simply put a bowl of vinegar in the offending room near the offending source. Smoke odors be gone!

Air freshener: If you would like to reduce icky smells but would like a nicer room smell than vinegar, add some fragrant spices (like cardamom) to your bowl of vinegar and leave it in a warm corner of the room.

Chrome polish: Use full strength vinegar with soft cloth to make that chrome shine.

Insect traps: Vinegar is an active ingredient used in various insect and pest traps.

Not enough reason to stock up on vinegar? Paul described 254 uses for vinegar.

What are your favorite uses for vinegar?

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This article is from Nora Dunn of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Cheap and Simple Sunburn Remedies That Really Work

Linsey Knerl — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:22:43 +0000

Oops, I did it again. Thinking that just one unprotected hour in the sun would be alright, I fried my fair Danish skin. I really know better, but it can happen to the best of us. Here are some very useful home concoctions and common sense tips for easing the pain and feeling better quick. (See also: Sunscreen Savings: How to Spend 50 Percent Less Without Even Trying)

A sunburn isn't just a painful nuisance — it can wreak havoc on healthy skin and put you at risk for getting skin cancer later in life. (In fact, two or more severe sunburns before age 18 greatly increase the chances, as skin has a sort of a "memory" of burns and tans year after year. While the best treatment is prevention with an effective sunblock, sunscreen, or a proper physical barrier from the sun, things can sometimes go wrong.

So what do you do when you return home from an outing and you resemble a well-done lobster bake? Try one of these time-tested home remedies…and give yourself a chance to heal.

Vinegar

Paul Michael was the first to introduce me to this cure, in his 254 Uses for Vinegar piece. Apply vinegar (or a half-water, half-vinegar solution) with a spray bottle or dab on with a towel. Then cover the area with a tea towel for overnight relief. While a bit stinky, it does wonders to "cool" down the burn.

Aspirin

Recommended for adult sunburn victims with a known tolerance to aspirin, this is the treatment I used most recently. Simply crush a couple of aspirin in a bowl or cup with the back of a spoon. By adding a small amount of water, you can create a "paste" which can be applied directly to the burn. (Be sure to crush the aspirin very well.)

A variation on this is to add it to Maalox (the tummy stuff) instead of water and brush it on with a basting brush or a cotton ball. Since aspirin alone can cause burns, be certain you don't have an intolerance to it being applied topically, and don't let it sit on your skin any longer than overnight.

If in doubt, simply take the aspirin orally as recommended. (Be aware of your tolerance to aspirin, first.)

Tea

Whip up a batch of tea (either from boiled tea bags or sun tea), and cool it in the fridge along with some ice. Spray directly on burned skin or dab with a soft rag. It instantly cools and relieves the burn, so keep applying for best results!

Milk

Apply gauze dipped in lukewarm milk to the burned area. Leave on for minimum of 20 minutes, and rinse the area when it starts to get a bit funky-smelling (or no more than an hour or so later).

Aloe Vera

Growing up, we always had an aloe plant in the home for minor burns and afflictions. Break off a piece of the plant and squeeze it so that some of the goo (gel) drips out the end. You can rub this directly into the sunburn for the same kind of soothing relief you can get from those "after-burn" gels and over-the-counter commercial products (only better). When the gel starts to dry, the area may become stiff, so keep applying or cleanse the area and apply with some new gel.

I'm no doctor, but also no stranger to sunburns. If prevention has failed, and you experience a nasty burn, stay home, stay hydrated, and stay rested. Using simple techniques to relieve pain and maintain the integrity of your skin, it is possible to get back to your daily routine the next day. If you experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor for proper care:

Dizziness
Vomiting
Fever/Chills
Intense Fatigue

You will also want to be aware that some prescription medications increase your sensitivity to sunlight and put you at added risk of getting burnt. These include certain:

Diuretics
Antibiotics
Tranquilizers
Birth Control Pills
Diabetes Medications

Medicated soaps, perfumes, and Retin-A can also make you susceptible to overexposure.

Take it easy year-round to prevent sunburns and other dangerous skin conditions. A regular visit to your dermatologist can keep skin concerns under control and decrease your chances of cancer-related illness or death. (For more information, see how to get a free skin cancer screening in your area.)

(Information contained in this article is not intended to be a substitute for advice and treatment from a licensed physician — use at your own risk.)

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This article is from Linsey Knerl of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Nausea Be Gone (For Less)!!

Amy B. Scher — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:25:47 +0000

Even the thought of nausea can make your stomach turn. And frankly, the cost of trying to soothe it can be frightening! 24 tablets can cost you close to $10 at the drug store. If they don't work, or you get the sleepies from them, it's back for another remedy. Until I found Psi (pronounced "sigh") bands, I had a drawer full of nausea meds which I spent enough money on to equal the value of a nice dinner out!

These 100% drug-free bands are the perfect solution for those of us unable or unwilling to utilize prescription anti-nausea medications and the cost that comes with them. The two moms behind Psi Bands blow away their competition by having teamed with a designer to create stylish acupressure bracelets that are adjustable, waterproof and effective. They are worn at the same time on both wrists and the "buttons" on the inside gently press upon the Nei-kuan point, the area that provides nausea relief. Thought to be most effective for motion sickness, anesthesia, chemotherapy or morning sickness (those adorable little bundles don't come without their price); however, I've personally found they work wonders for my nausea, which I experience as a side effect from medication.

I also like that they are reusable so not only do you save on price (a one time purchase of $14.99 for the set), you do a little bit to save the planet too. Packaging has just been revamped to be more compact too.

Instead of filling your bathroom drawer with a bunch of pharmaceuticals that don't work (or just put you to sleep), go straight to this affordable and oh-so-cute (and there's an oh-so-manly version for the guy in your life) solution. There are four styles in all.

Psi Bands have partnered with Fertile Hope , so for a limited time, $1 from each Cherry Blossom band will go to help this nonprofit continue to support those whose medical treatments have caused infertility.

Purchase Psi bands at Drugstore.com or find other retailers here .

This article is from Amy B. Scher of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Secret Homemade Stain Removers That Kick Butt

Paul Michael — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:09:54 +0000

Stains. Since having kids I've noticed that my house is full of them. In the carpet, on clothes, on furniture, even on my teeth (yes, I had to drink a lot of coffee to keep me awake during those night feeds). But what I hate more than stains is paying $5 for a stain remover that never seems to do what it says on the box. "Surely there are better products I can make at home, using things I already have" I thought. And boy was I right.

I spent hours trawling the various expert sites and video libraries trying to find the perfect homemade remedy for each and every stain I wanted to zap into oblivion. My list was a long one but I knew with a little perseverance and a lot of time I could find the solutions. I did, and now I'm sharing them with you. (See also: 14 Effective Grease and Oil Stain Removal Tips)

I can testify that these have all worked in my household (except #6, you'll see why), but your level of success will depend on your stain and the length of time you've had it. Best of all, most of the simple ingredients needed are almost certainly in your home already, so you won't need to spend an extra dime.

1. Mayo + Cigarette Ash = No More Water Stains

Amazing. This really did work so well. Now, I'm not suggesting you all become smokers, if you need the ash you can collect it from the smoker's room at work or simply buy a small pack and let a few burn down.

2. The Alka Seltzer Rust Remover

OK, that's probably not a stain if you want to split hairs, but I had some items that were rusted solid. I found out that a simple plop, plop, fizz, fizz was all it took to turn rusty bolts into lightening bolts.

3. Carpet Steam-Cleaner

Why spend your hard-earned cash on a SpotBot or even a carpet cleaning product like Tuff Stuff? Just a towel, an iron and a few household items will do the job for you.

4. White Wine for Red Wine Stains

I always wondered if that urban legend about white wine zapping red wine was true. Now you can see for yourself.

5. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitener

How much does it cost to whiten your teeth? Anywhere from $5 for those toothpastes that don't work, to several hundred dollars for dental work. This one costs almost nothing and works well, but please, don't leave it on for longer than 20 minutes and do rinse thoroughly. Don't swallow.

6. Killing Face Stains (Acne) With Baking Soda

Is that a stretch? Yeah, you got me, but I thought it was worth including. Especially as professional acne products can cost hundreds of dollars. This one, I confess, was not tried by myself or my family but a friend. He was very, very happy with the results.

Now you can enjoy a stain-free house and keep your wallet nice and fat. Enjoy.

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

254 Uses for Vinegar. And Counting.

Paul Michael — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 22:43:44 +0000

Vinegar. As an Englishman, I had one use for it. I put it on my Fish 'n' Chips. Then I married a girl from Guam and found another use for it...Adobo sauce. Mmmm. But as a frugal shopper, I began hearing whispers of the incredible versatility of vinegar. So I did some research. I was shocked! (See also: 6 Secret Homemade Stain Removers That Kick Butt)

Pop along to the frugal living section of About.com and you'll be met with a plethora of useful tips. ~~One page is devoted to the mighty vinegar~~, and it's a long page. Really long. I mean "use up all of your paper printing it out" long. So here I reprint the top 50 from this huge list. The rest you can get yourselves from the link above. But I'll tell you something...you'll never be short of a bottle of vinegar in my house!

NOTE: Recently, About.com took down their vinegar list. Why I have no idea. But I hate to keep you guys hanging so this page should help out. It has many, many uses for vinegar.

Used as a hair rinse, vinegar neutralizes the alkali left by shampoos.
A quarter cup in a quart of water makes a good window cleaner. A reader adds: "When you use vinegar in your water to wash windows, dry with newspapers. Your windows will sparkle!"
Fabric softener and static cling reducer — use as you would liquid fabric softener.
Air freshener, used with baking soda — use 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 2 cups of water. After it stops foaming, mix well, and use in a (recycled) spray bottle into the air.
Chewing gum dissolver — saturate the area with vinegar. If the vinegar is heated, it will work faster.
Stain remover — for stains caused by grass, coffee, tea, fruits and berries. Soak clothing in full strength vinegar.
Corn and callus remover — soak a piece of stale bread (a cloth would probably do as well) in vinegar, and tape it over the callus or corn overnight.
Remedy for age spots — Mix equal parts of onion juice and vinegar and use it daily on age spots. This will take a few weeks to work, just like its expensive relative from the store.
Kill grass or weeds by pouring hot vinegar on it. This might take a couple of times to work completely. Use white vinegar straight from the bottle to pour on the weeds and grasses that come up through the pavement. Just pour on and let set a couple of days and the weeds will die back and wont reappear for several months.
Wash your windshield with vinegar in the winter to help keep ice and frost away.
If you have a septic tank, use vinegar instead of harsh chemicals to clean the toilet bowl. Let it set overnight if you can; it will help keep germs down.
Spray your hands with a mist of vinegar, or dip them in vinegar and dry after washing dishes or having them in soapy water to keep your hands soft.
It's an ongoing battle as to whether vinegar can help you lose weight, but the ones who say it will, say to drink a glass of water before each meal in which you've added a tablespoon of vinegar and a tablespoon of honey.
Use diluted 1:1 in water to take pet odors out of carpets. Find the spot, and saturate it with about 1 1/2 times the original volume. Let set for a while then blot up. Repeat if your cloth is very dirty after blotting. I make sure to turn on a fan and open a window, especially for large spots!
Splash vinegar on your varicose veins. The vinegar is supposed to reduce the veins and relieve the pain and swelling. Of course, you might smell like a tossed salad!
Use about a tablespoon of vinegar in the water when poaching eggs. It helps the eggs to keep their shape. No taste of vinegar, either.
Use 1 tablespoon vinegar to an 8-ounce glass of warm water for a sore throat. Gargle every hour and swallow after gargling, with two mouthfuls. I got this from a Vermont Folk Medicine book by D.C.Jarvis many years ago. If started at the first hint of a sore throat, it always works, usually within a night's sleep. I don't mind the taste, but some children might.
It is also helpful when children get lice, if you take warm vinegar and put it on the hair also take your nit comb and dip it in the vinegar. As you run it through the hair it helps remove the nits. It is supposed to be able to help break down the glue the nits use to stay attached to the hair.
Set a container (shallow bowl) of vinegar throughout the house to absorb unpleasant odors. Works great on burned food odors. Do not use styrofoam. It will soak through it.
Use vinegar and olive oil as a frugal dressing with a selection of herbs on your salad. A different reader adds: "I like to use vinegar the old-fashioned way: I eat it!! I use all sorts of vinegars as salad dressing ingredients (my favorite is the classic red wine vinegar mixed with olive oil). I also eat my fish with malt vinegar, which is also very good on french fries."
This reader says: "I liked the 'spray mister' approach to air freshening, but as a sometimes poor bachelor cook, I have blackened fish when it isn't on the menu. Vinegar in a towel, twirled about the head will quickly stop the smoke detectors from screaming. It also freshens the air, and captures the smoke smell before the whole house is caught."
Added by another reader: "Put vinegar on white bread around a house to get rid of smoke smell from a fire."
Another reader writes: "You can use vinegar to remove wallpaper. I just redid my entire kitchen and it was a snap. First remove top layer of wallpaper. Then spray vinegar on and let set for a minute or two. Then pull backing away. Scrape excess glue off wall. Wipe remaining glue off with vinegar and rinse with water. You don't have to use harse chemicals and it is cheap, cheap, cheap."
Another reader writes this: "Keep it in mind when cleaning the walls after removing wallpaper: I use vinegar water (2-3 parts vinegar to 1 part water) to remove (new or old) wallpaper paste. Add more vinegar as needed if the paste is really stubborn."
This reader writes: "My grandmother swears by vinegar as an antiseptic for abrasions to reduce itch from poison ivy or mosquito bites, and even to help rehydrate sunburned skin."
She also uses it diluted 50/50 as a skin cleanser, as most soaps are alkaline as compared to skin ph.
On a different note, most meat marinades are most effective if acidic, so an extra few spoonfuls of vinegar can't hurt.
On heavily tarnished copper or copper-alloy to be cleaned up, use a paste made of salt and vinegar.
A reader writes: "I use white (not apple cider) vinegar mixed with water to rinse off the dishes after washing them to take the soap off and leave them squeaky clean. This also takes the soap residue off of my hands at the same time."
Another reader wrote: "I am allergic to crabs. However, I love them. I have found that when I dip my crab meat in vinegar, I don't get an allergic reaction. This may not work for everyone, but it works for me."
Pour vinegar around the sides of your pool and it helps keeps flies away.
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to a gallon of water to keep your vinyl no-wax floors clean and shining. A reader adds: "Not only does it keep the floors shiny but it kills the dust mites! Great for us since we have severe allergies." Another reader adds: "We moved into a new house 6 months ago, and it's a vinyl floor haven. Lots of vinyl floor! Since my old house was relatively small with only about a 10x8 vinyl floor in my kitchen, I usually just got down on my hands and knees to do the deed. Not now! My back isn't that great! I bought one of those mops with the detachable, washable heads, and I squirt pickling vinegar ('cause it's stronger) on the floor, mop it up and squirt more as needed. My floor is impeccable, my back is just fine, thanks, and there's no need to buy any of that Mop and Glo stuff. It's affordable (read 'frugal'!) and environmentally safe."
Use as a meat tenderizer. Add a tablespoon to water when boiling ribs or meat for stews, and even the toughest meat will be so tender you can cut with fork or will fall off the bone.
One teaspoon to one tablespoon of vinegar gets rid of hiccups. Another reader writes: "I've found that gargling with cider vinegar will stop the most horrible case of hiccups!"
Vinegar is great for removing calcium deposit build up. Use full strength and allow to set. Time depends on condition.
Sunburn Remedies: At bedtime, cover sunburns with a towel soaked in water and vinegar and try to persuade the victim to sleep this way. Younger ones, of course, will have a struggle with this, especially because of the smell! Put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray on sunburn. It soothes for quite a length of time. Just like store bought stuff.
A reader wrote this: "I used this on my son when his legs were sunburned. I used half and half which was half water and half vinegar. I saturated tea towels in it and layed them on his legs and he said it didn't smell too good but it sure took out the burning. You must do this several times but it works and then it gives you a nice tan."

Vinegar will take the sting out of a sunburn — just soak a paper towel and apply to burn. Smells bad but, hey, if you're in pain, who cares? To relieve swelling and fluid from too much sun, mix a paste of baking soda and apple cider vinegar and apply.

This reader says it will draw out the fluid: "I met a girl who was told by her doctor to sit in the sun (she had some sort of skin problem). She was to use diluted red wine vinegar to keep from burning. She was out in the sun every day of the summer and had a nice tan. (You have to understand that she lived in Philadelphia, PA and I was visiting from Florida). When I went on a trip to the Keys to spend a lot of time on the water, I used a spray bottle filled with undiluted red wine vinegar. I had my friend spray my back occasionally while spraying the front more frequently. My back did get somewhat burned, but from head to toes the front of me was nicely tanned. (I did look really red from the vinegar, but after showering...ta da...tan) I'm not sure, but using the red wine vinegar has seemed to help me tan faster."
Use 2 cups of cider vinegar in the tub to soak sore muscles and add potassium to muscles.
Use for a throat soother. Take equal amounts of honey and cider vinegar, stir or shake until dissolved. Take a tablespoon at a time to cut mucous in the throat.
Heat vinegar to boiling point. Then poor over your fixtures that have deposits of lime. This will release or remove lime deposits.
Use a cup of vinegar in two gallons of water in the diaper pail to neutralize the urine in cloth diapers. It also helps keep them from staining.
Keep a spray bottle of 50% vinegar, 50% water near the laundry station. Spray it on stains before tossing the clothing into the washer (just as you would a commercial spray stain remover). As a carpet spot and stain remover — take a trigger spray bottle and fill with one part white vinegar to seven parts water. Take a second spray bottle and fill with one part white, non sudsy ammonia and seven parts water. Saturate stain with vinegar solution. Let dwell for a few minutes and blot thoroughly with a clean, white cloth. Then go over the area with the ammonia solution, let dwell and blot again. Repeat until the stain is gone. Also works for pet stains to help remove the odors.
Keep a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to use for cleaning windows.
From a reader: "When I apply a weak bleach solution (to a counter after handling raw chicken, or to grout to whiten it), even after rinsing it still smells like bleach. Spraying it with the vinegar solution does away with the bleachy smell." This also works if you use bleach when washing fabric — try an extra rinse with a cup of vinegar in it to get rid of the bleach smell. Note: A reader cautioned against using vinegar with bleach because it produces chlorine gas, so I asked about it on our chemistry guide's forum here at About.com. He said that, while the mixture does produce chlorine gas, using a few drops at a time (to rinse hands or counter, as opposed to gallons) as a spot neutralizer would cause no problem. You can read the posts yourself, if you like.
Another reader wrote this: "Fill the water reservoir half way and run the coffee maker as you normally do and then run it once full of water and the coffee maker will be spotless. (Well, cleaner anyway.)"
Vinegar in drinking water is very effective in eliminating the low-grade fevers that are present in Chronic Fatigue sufferers. It also helps eliminate the 'thrush' coating in the mouth which is sometimes caused by antibiotic use. Mix four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of drinking water. Drink up to one gallon each day.
Add a splash of vinegar, a tablespoon or so, to the water when you hard-boil eggs. If one cracks, it will not boil out of the shell.
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a quart of drinking water. Helps to deal with heat stress. Also helps to repel mosquitoes.
From another reader: "After years of suffering from athlete's foot, consulting doctors, and spending hundreds of dollars on so called cures (some prescription, some over the counter), I read in one of the magazines in which I subscribe to try soaking in vinegar. Something was said about it changing skin ph so that the fungus could not grow. I soaked three evenings in a row. Now, no more fungus and that has been several months ago."
This reader says: "I feed vinegar to my horses to keep the flies away. I pour 1/4 cup of cider vinegar on their grain once a day and it really keeps the flies away from them! They seem to like it too."
I use cloth diapers and my baby kept breaking out in a rash. From another web site, it suggested adding a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. It equalizes the ph balance. I've been doing it ever since and, viola, no diaper rash!

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: