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VINEGAR
rescue
PureWhiteVinegar
hasbeenprized forgenerations for itsuse-
fulness as a stain remover, mildew eliminator, soap scum dissolver,
chromepolisher, limedescaler, fabric softener, roomdeodorizer and
asanuncloggingagent. But this is nothingnew. Vinegarwasbornby
accident over10,000yearsago,whenacaskofwine fermentedand
turned sour and has been produced commercially for about 2,500
years,making it oneof theoldest products inusebyhumans.
Since vinegar is anatural organicbi-product of fruits, vegetables and
grains, it is thereforeedibleandbiodegradable—very safe for theen-
vironment, for familymembersand it is inexpensive touse. It’sversatile
anddoesn’t irritateallergies like some fragrancedcleansers.Now, it’s
gaining notoriety as an effective, won’t hurt the environment, weed
killer.
Theaceticacid in vinegar is producedby the fermentationof ethanol
byaceticacidbacteria.Commonhouseholdvinegarcontains residual
alcohol (about5%).Whencombinedwithasmallmeasureofdishsoap
itwill causeweeds to shrivel somebut itwill not effectively killweeds.
Astronger solution is required to reallyknocknoxiousweedsoutof the
park.Picklingvinegarat7% isagoodchoiceandmixedwithdishsoap
andorangeoilwill createamixture that shouldeffectively killweeds.
An even stronger vinegar called ‘SimplyClean Vinegar Plus’ (10%
aceticacid) canbepurchasedat anyMetroor FoodBasicsGrocery
Storesororderedonline fromaGuelphcompanyWell.ca.
Applicationmustbedonecorrectlyor theweedswill comeback.Don’t
apply it if rain is in the forecastwithin24hours - theweedsmustbebone
dryandhot.Wait until the sun isbright, in themiddleof theday. Cau-
tion:Never use vinegar onany kindof paver, brick, flagstoneor con-
crete; itWILL damage the surface. Also, avoidapplication onwindy
days.
Becarefulwhereyou spray, thisbrewdoes not discriminate. Itwill kill
your flowers andplants just as effectively. Be sure
towashoutwhatever spraybottleyouuseor the
vinegar will corrode the working parts.
Emptyany unused vinegar/orangeoil mix-
tureback intoasuitablecontainer. Besure
the container is non-corrosiveand heavy
gradeplastic.Emptypaint cansandmilk
jugsarenot suitable.
Gardeningnaturally isgood for usall.
DIY -VinegarWeedKiller...
Wearprotectivegloves
1gallonofwhitevinegar (7% - 10%)
Add2ounces of orangeoil or cleanser containingd-limoneneand2
ounces of liquiddishwashingdetergent. Stirwell witha long-handled
spoon tocombine thoroughly.
Pourmixture intoaheavydutyplastic spraybottle.
Drench theweedswith the solutiononadry, warm, sunnyday. Coat
all surfaceswell with the spray. Any plants soakedwith this solution
shoulddiewithin several days.Only spray items youdon’twant to re-
main alive. Funnel any leftover weed killer intoan empty heavy duty
plasticcontainer.Cap it tightly. Label it clearlyandstore inacool,dark
spot indefinitely.
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ESCARPMENT
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GARDENS
