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Vinegar is one of nature´s wonder products. Safe and harmless to use and with so many different uses around the home and garden, you will wonder what you did without it! Subscribe to Type-A Mom articles

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In the garden

• vinegar makes a good deterrent for ants. Spray around door frames and anywhere ants get access to your home.

• Cats don´t like the smell of vinegar so spray on any areas that you want to keep cat free. It will discourage cats from walking or sleeping there.

• Get rid of grass on driveways. Pour undiluted vinegar onto the grass.

• If you live in a hard water area, add a cup of vinegar to the watering can when watering acid loving plants such as azaleas or rhododendrums.

• Keep cut flowers looking good by adding both vinegar and sugar to the water in the vase. Add one tablespoon of vinegar and one of sugar for every 2 pints of water.

In the home

• a mixture of vinegar and salt will get tea stains off china and out of the bottom of cups.

• Add a couple of spoons to the water when you boil eggs. It helps to stop the eggs from cracking.

• Freshen the fridge by wiping clean with a mix of water and vinegar.

• Clean microwave ovens by using a cup of water with a few spoons of vinegar added to it. Microwave until the solution boils and it will clean and deodorise and help to loosen any dried on food particles.

For health

• Vinegar can be added to the bathwater to relieve dry and itchy skin. Try adding a couple of tablespoons before you bathe.

• Dab onto bites and stings to relieve itching. This works with mosquito stings, bee stings, jellyfish and virtually any insect bite. Use neat for best results.

• Try mixing apple cider vinegar with honey and taking one spoonful each day as a cure for colds.

• Use in the rinsing water when washing your hair to add shine. Removes soap build up and residue and helps keep your hair soft and shiny. Also helps to combat dandruff.

Unless stated, any type of vinegar can be used. Brown or malt vinegar is likely to stain cloth and clothes, so use distilled vinegar for those applications. Try a patch test on a small area of skin or fabric first. I have not personally tested all of these hints and tips, so use with common sense and caution!