Vim and vinegar

I was laid up sick yesterday, but in a Sudafed-induced burst of energy, decided that I *had* to do something semi-productive, so I went on a kitchen-cleaning rampage. I decided today that I need to share with you all the beauty of vinegar, something I've slowly been discovering over the last year. It is cheap, easy to find, and a total multi-tasker.

Three Practical and Awesome Uses for Vinegar:

1) Unclogging drains. In New York, one is often worried about the condition of a building's old wiring or plumbing. Take it easy on your pipes next time your drains are clogged: Make a mini drain volcano with baking soda and vinegar. The bubbles jostle out the clog. Plus, it is wicked fun, like 3rd grade science fair. This has worked in our tub several times. Once the clog was so bad we had to resort to both chemicals and an auger. But in most normal situations, vinegar can probably take care of the problem.

2) Odor eater. I'm a pescetarian (ick, I really don't like that long word, but it's an accurate description of my diet). I tend not to make too much fish at home because I can't stand the smell that lingers in the kitchen. But leaving a bowl of plain white vinegar on your counter while you cook fish can help combat the smell! (And if any smell lingers afterwards, boiling some sugar, cinnamon, and cloves can tackle the rest.)

And my personal favorite...

3) Copper pot shiner. We are such lucky ducks and got 2 gorgeous copper pots as wedding gifts. They make me ridiculously happy, sitting there and casting their soft, warm gleam over the kitchen. Imagine my heartbreak as they began to tarnish! Alas, a quick Internet search revealed the solution: Salt and vinegar. Good on chips, great on copper. Shininess restored.

There you have it! I'm still sick today, but need to plow through my last orchestra concert of the season. Hoping the cold meds will see me through! Then back to my PJs and contemplating any number of the following matters: where to live, where to work, how Roger has not yet gone bald and whether there is a viable market for cat hair (if I had a dollar for every time I emptied the vacuum, I'd be a rich, rich lady).