Vinegar-Natural Solution of All Sorts of Things

  Posted on May 23, 2016  by Joy of Living  No comments

May is National Vinegar Month, and you will be amazed at how many different ways it can be put to use.  Here are some of the ways to put vinegar to work to help pet guardians:

Pest Fighter

If your dog is suffering with fleas, spray, pour or dab apple cider vinegar on him, being sure to avoid eyes, nose and mouth.  Work it into his coat and leave on for a few minutes, then bathe him with a gentle shampoo.

Control Pet Dander

To reduce dander, try massaging full strength cider vinegar into his coat before bathing him.

Soothe Abrasions

Did you know vinegar can help with muscle sprains, abrasions, or sore paw pads?  Apply apple cider vinegar to the affected area with cotton or a sponge and reapply as needed.

Increased Mobility

Some people give their dog a daily dose of cider vinegar and have reported very positive results such as elimination of tear stains, reduced amount of fleas, and increased mobility in older dogs.  The recommended dosage is 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per 50 pounds of body weight.  Experiment to be sure your dog doesn’t suffer side effects, if so, discontinue the daily dosage.

Deodorizer

Vinegar is great for deodorizing and refreshing pet bedding.  Spray bedding with vinegar prior to washing or add to laundry once in washer.

Clean Up Pet Stains

Test the color fastness of the carpet with white distilled vinegar in an inconspicuous place. Then sprinkle distilled vinegar over the fresh pet accident. Wait a few minutes and sponge from the center outward. Follow up by blotting with a dry cloth. This procedure may need to be repeated for stubborn stains.

Get Rid Of Smelly Dog Odor

Wet the dog down with fresh water. Use a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 2 gallons water. Saturate the dog’s coat with this solution. Dry the dog off without rinsing the solution. The smell will be gone!

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many uses for this natural ingredient.  Although we’ve focused on uses involving pets, vinegar is very versatile around the house.

I’ve used it as an ingredient to unclog a drain, and as a glass cleaner.  It’s relatively inexpensive, and is a natural alternative to many of the chemical laden cleaning products on the market.

For more information and recommended uses, check out The Vinegar Institute website, versatilevinegar.org