ANNETTE'S HERB GARDEN
A FRESH MINT CLEANSER
What to do with all that mint!
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| If you're like me, you sometimes find yourself wondering what to do with all those herbs that you have in abundance at the end of the season. Here is one idea - make herbal cleaning solutions. Vinegar is a wonderful cleaning agent, and when you add mint or other fresh herbs, you have a crisp, fresh-smelling all-purpose cleaner. |
| Preparation:
Prepare an herbal cleanser Vinegar by infusing herbs you have in abundance. Some of my favorites are Mint, Lemon Balm or any other lemon herb. Buy the big jugs of vinegar, pour a little out, and stuff the herbs right into the jug. Steep. |
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| Household Uses | 1. A half cup of herb vinegar added to the rinse cycle will keep your dishwasher clean and fresh smelling.
2. Three tablespoons of herbal vinegar along with your regular dish detergent for each batch of dishes will help to cut grease. 3. A mixture of one teaspoon of salt and two tablespoons of herb vinegar will make your bathroom and kitchen fixtures gleam. 4. Eliminate mineral buildup on bathroom and kitchen fixtures by washing with a mixture of 1 teaspoon alum and 1/4 cup herb vinegar mixed in a bowl. 5. Remove film buildup by wiping bathtubs with herb vinegar and then with baking soda. Rinse clean with water. 6. Unclog corroded shower heads or faucet filters by soaking in diluted herb vinegar overnight. 7. A cleanser made with a half cup of herb vinegar added to a half gallon of hot water makes no-wax linoleum shine. 8. Use a cloth soaked with herb vinegar to make chrome and stainless steal sparkle. 9. One ounce of olive oil mixed with two ounces of herb vinegar and a quart of warm water will restore life to drab looking wood paneling. 10. Make paste of one tablespoon of salt in a cup of herb vinegar and thickened with flour to clean brass, copper or pewter. Let stand for 15 minutes and then rinse clean and polish dry. 11. Mix a cup of herb vinegar with an ice cube tray of water, freeze and then run cubes through the garbage disposal, flush with cold water for a minute or so to deep disposal clean and fresh smelling and operating properly. 12. Soak a sponge with full-strength herb vinegar and scrub to eliminate mold and mildew. 13. Put plastic shower curtains into a washing machine with a towel. During the rinse cycle add a cup of herb vinegar and then briefly tumble dry. 14. Wash countertops, cabinets and floors with equal parts of herb vinegar and water to discourage ant invasions. 15. Combine 1/8 cup of herb vinegar with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and use as you would any window-cleaning spray. 16. For drain maintenance and to keep pipes flowing combine 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup herb vinegar. The chemical interaction between the two will make a lot of noise - pour the baking soda into the drain first and follow with the vinegar. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. (Note: This is one chore children will love to help with - the baking soda, vinegar, and a few drops of yellow and red food coloring make a cool volcano eruption.) |
| Stains | 1. Remove non-oily carpet stains by gently brushing them with a soft brush or towel soaked in a mixture of one tablespoon of herb vinegar, one tablespoon of detergent and a pint of luke-warm water.
2. Mix equal parts of herb vinegar and olive oil and rub on wood to remove rings left by glasses. Rub with grain and polish out the stain. 3. Dip a sponge in herb vinegar and wipe exhaust fan grills and air conditioner blades and grills to deep them dust free and running efficiently. |
| Kitchen | 1. Freshen slightly wilted vegetables by soaking in herb vinegar and cold water.
2 Add zip to canned soup, gravy or sauce with a tablespoon of wine vinegar (a little off-topic, but a good idea) 3. Two tablespoons of herbed white wine vinegar and a cup of unsweetened heavy cream, whipped until stiff, make a unique and tasty fish sauce. 4. Sprinkle mint or lemon herbed vinegar on cantaloupe or canned fruit to intensify the flavor. 5. Get rid of the "canned" taste of canned shrimp by soaking for 15 minutes in a little sherry and two tablespoons of lemon-herbed vinegar. 6. Quench thirst by mixing a tablespoon of mint, strawberry, orange or lemon vinegar in a glass filled with eight ounces of club soda or ice. 7. Stir a small amount of lemon or strawberry vinegar into a yogurt or sour cream for a perfect fruit salad dressing. |
