Besides baking soda, vinegar has to be one of the best household helpers. It's non-toxic (though you should still keep it out of reach) and it's inexpensive. Today's tips use the plain, white distilled type of vinegar. Since you won't be using it in food, buy the cheapest vinegar you can find. It can be used plain, though as I've mentioned in other newsletters, I think it's nice to infuse it with any extra herbs from the garden. The leaves of lavender, sage, mint, thyme, oregano, lemon balm or rosemary make a nice scent. Simply place the herbs in a large glass jar and pour over the vinegar. Allow it to sit for 4-6 weeks, then strain and use in any of the cleaner recipes and tips.

-Fill a standard size spray bottle with vinegar and 3 tablespoons of salt. Spray on copper pots, allow to stand for 5 minutes or so then rub clean. If they are really stained use a paste made of salt and vinegar to clean.

-Mix 3 cups of olive or vegetable oil and 1 cup vinegar. Mix together and use with a soft clean cloth to polish furniture.

-To clean chrome and stainless steel simply dip a soft clean cloth in vinegar and wipe the surface clean.

-Pour vinegar on your wooden cutting boards and with a clean damp sponge wipe in one direction into the sink to clean. Wipe one more time with a rinsed out sponge, then dry with a clean towel.

-To clean clay pots and saucers fill the sink with cold water and about 2/3 cup of vinegar. Soak the pots and saucers for 30-60 minutes to remove stains. You can also clean with a brush as well, then rinse.

-Every year or so run a gallon of vinegar through the washing machine to clean it and clear out the hoses. Run the machine through the warm wash cycle empty and then add the vinegar during the rinse cycle.

-Clean the dishwasher too!. Run a cup of vinegar through the entire cycle every month or so to clean build up.

-Jar that hold contents such as mayonnaise, mustard and other products often retain that smell. If you are reusing the jars, rinse them with vinegar after washing, then with clean water to reduce the odor.

-Rub vinegar on your hands just before and after slicing onions to get rid of the onion smell.

-To clean ceramic tiles mix 1/2 cup of vinegar in a 1/2 bucket of warm water. Use to clean the tiles for a nice shine.

-Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to a sink of hot water and dish soap. Clean your casseroles, pots, pans and stove plates. Use a rag or sponge and use the same water to clean the stove surface.

-To clean mildew that is built up in the shower tiles use vinegar and a toothbrush to clean the tough to get to areas.

-If you have a tough load of dirty clothes that are musty or for some reason extra soiled like work clothing can be add 1/2 cup vinegar to the wash cycle.