Vinegar

DILUTE!
It is safer, more practical, and more economical.

The ratio of water to vinegar will vary depending on the need:

• As a rinse aid, a small cap of vinegar in the washbasin, or half a cup in the washing machine are sufficient.
• For most household uses, the most economical solution is to make a 2,5% acidity solution by adding a quarter of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar to three-quarters of water.
• For personal care, always dilute the vinegar in water in a solution with a maximum of 2,5% acidity or less.
• To spray on surfaces, remove mildew stains or disinfect a cutting board, a regular solution at 5% acidity with half vinegar and half water is best
• Undiluted vinegar at 10% acidity is useful for heavy mildew and stains or to disinfect toilets.

While potent, the smell of vinegar does not linger. However, if you prefer, try making an aromatic vinegar by putting herbs, lemon juice or a few drops of one of your favourite essential oils into the vinegar solution.

MORE DETAILS:

Vinegar has so many uses, it is difficult to list them all. Start with a small concentration and increase as needed. Although non-toxic, vinegar can be corrosive, so exercise caution. (See CAUTION section.)

 

Some of our favourite uses for Vinegar:

MAKE A VERSATILE SPRAY:
MIX ONE PART CAPE SOAP CO. VINEGAR AND THREE PARTS WATER.

• Clean windows and mirrors: spray on and dry off with newspaper.
• Mildly disinfect surfaces, phones, doorknobs, countertops and more, spray on and wipe off with a soft cloth.
• Shine stainless steel and sterling silver: spray on and wipe off with a soft cloth.
• Deodorise a room: make an aromatic vinegar and spray in the room.
• Use as a body deodorant: sprayed underarm, the vinegar will kill the bacteria responsible for body odours. The vinegar smell will not linger, however you may prefer to use aromatic vinegar.
• Deodorise mattresses or carpets: if urine has been spilt, first dry the mattress or carpet as much as possible by laying paper towels and blotting over the area. Then saturate with the vinegar solution, leaving it to sit on the area for 10 minutes. Be sure to test for colour fastness in a discreet area. Blot as before, replacing towels as needed. Sprinkle soda ash on the area to help absorb odours. Allow to sit for a further hour. Vacuum.

USE AS A RINSING AID:

• Hand-washed dishes and glasses: add a tablespoon of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar to a basin of clean water.
• Machine-washed dishes: pour a tablespoon of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar in the rinsing agent compartment of your dishwasher
• Clean the dishwasher: once a year – or more if you have hard water – pour a cup of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar into an empty dishwasher and run it for a short cycle to get rid of lime and soap build-up that can prevent your machine from working at peak efficiency.
• Remove soap residues from laundry, making your clothes fresher and brighter: add half a cup of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar – or less for a front-loader – to the final rinse, directly into the drum or in your softener’s compartment. Vinegar also eliminates towel mildew and helps to keep your washing machine fresh.
• Perfect finish on surfaces: after cleaning your surfaces with a soapy solution (change water as it gets dirty) or Soda Ash, add a cup of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar to a bucket of warm water, soak a sponge or a mop in the solution, wring out the excess, wipe and allow to air dry.
• Remove shampoo buildup from your hair: rinse with a solution of 1 tablespoon of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar and 1 cup of water after every few washes. Adjust the amount of vinegar to suit your hair type — use less vinegar for dry hair and more vinegar for oily hair. A second rinse with clean water is beneficial. Hair will be silky and shiny.

CLEAN MILDEW, DISINFECT, DESCALE:
USE UNDILUTED
OR AS A SOLUTION OF EQUAL PARTS CAPE SOAP CO. VINEGAR AND WATER.

• Clean and prevent mould and mildew from bathrooms, shower walls and curtains, around sinks and tubs, and other areas that are often damp, wipe or shake excess water after use and spray with vinegar. Allow to air dry. Also helps prevent soap scum build-ups.
• Disinfect cutting boards: spray or wipe with a strong vinegar solution after each use. Allow to air dry.
• Disinfect the toilet: spray the seat and around the outside of the bowl. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before wiping the surface with a clean cloth or rag. You can also pour half a cup of vinegar into the bowl and let it sit overnight. Scrub the bowl in the morning and flush it to rinse out.
• Disinfect the cat litter box: spray the bottom with vinegar, let it sit for about 30 minutes before wiping the surface dry with a clean cloth or rag.
• Descale toilet bowl, bathtub, sink, and showerhead: dissolve mineral buildup by spraying vinegar onto the area. Let it sit for a few minutes. Dry with a clean wipe. Especially useful in places with hard water.
• Descale the coffee maker: from time to time, fill the reservoir with a vinegar solution and run a full cycle. Rinse away vinegar residue by running a full cycle with just water afterwards.
• Descale the steam iron: pour vinegar solution into the water reservoir, turn the iron to the steam-setting and steam for five minutes in an upright position. Unplug and cool the iron. Empty the reservoir, along with the dissolved minerals.

CLEAN A MICROWAVE:

Pour a little Vinegar into a bowl of water and microwave it for a few minutes. It will then be easy to wipe out grunge from the inside of the microwave.

UNCLOG A SMELLY SINK OR DRAIN:

Pour 2 tablespoons (2Tbsp) of Soda Ash into the drain.
Add half a cup of Vinegar and cover the drain tightly.
The reaction between the alkali and the acid produces gas, and the bubbling can power out clogs. For dense clogging, further applications may be needed.

BOIL A CRACKED EGG, and prevent the wipe from seeping out:

Add 1 or 2 teaspoons (1-2 tsp) of Cape Soap Co. Vinegar to the water.

REMOVE LABELS OR BUMPER STICKER RESIDUE:

Saturate the area with Cape Soap Co. Vinegar. The pieces should peel off easily.
Test first on a small area to ensure it won’t damage car paint.

Naturally fermented vinegar 10% acidity

Manufactured in South Africa from resources grown locally.

Keep away from heat and direct sunlight in an airtight container.

Please reuse, return, or recycle the packaging. We will gladly refill containers.

Although legislation requires that a best-before date of two years after manufacturing is indicated, the Cape Soap Co. Vinegar is non-perishable if stored in good conditions (in a cool, dark, clean environment).

Keep out of reach of children and animals.

Avoid contact with eyes and broken skin.

Keep away from chlorine bleach: the combination creates highly irritating chlorine gas.

Can be corrosive: do not use on granite or marble, nor on iron, blood or grass stains.

Be careful when using on hardwood floors and textiles. Always dilute, and test on a small area before cleaning.

In case of eye or skin irritation: flush with cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes.

If someone has swallowed Extra-Strength Vinegar, do not induce vomiting.

Seek medical attention if necessary.

Available in:
– 1 litre
– 5 litres

Both “natural” colour jerrycans are locally manufactured out of strong reusable plastic (HDPE), and locally recyclable.