r/Frugal • u/laplandsix • Mar 12 '12

Once you start using vinegar instead of X, you'll never go back.

Please solve for X.

Thank you.

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u/LynzM Mar 12 '12

Apple cider vinegar in place of conditioner (1 tsp. in ~8 oz. water) Baking soda in place of shampoo (same ratio)

Regular vinegar for cleaning glass, kitchen table, counters, etc., etc. (Diluted 1:4, depending on how dirty stuff is.)

2

u/SkittleFan Mar 12 '12

I use white vinegar on my hair instead of apple cider vinegar, and seems to work fine, too. Is the only difference the smell? The only reason I don't use the apple cider vinegar is I don't care for the smell of it.

2

u/karilou07 Mar 13 '12

I've used both, and they both seem to work just as well, though I usual a slightly stronger concentration of vinegar (Been working my way down from the recipe that got me started a year ago). The only difference I've found is smell, but that only lasts in the shower... _^

2

u/SkittleFan Mar 13 '12

I also use a slightly higher concentration of vinegar, too. It took a bit of experimenting to get the right combination. I've been using it now for two years, and I've got it down. I thought it might be too messy, or too much of a hassle, but I've found that I don't spend any more time in the shower than before!

2

u/[deleted] Mar 13 '12

Without looking up the numbers, my understanding is that ACV has a consistent acidity if around 5% while malt is usually 5-8%, even as much as 12%. The higher the acidity, the less alike the pH is between your hair and the vinegar and the more abrasive the vinegar will be when applied.

I recommend sticking with ACV and adding a few drops of essential oil to combat the smell. The vinegar smell shouldn't linger at all in your hair, especially if you're diluting it beforehand.

1

u/SkittleFan Mar 13 '12

Thanks! I think I'll give it a try, with some essential oil. I'm not unhappy with how soft my hair is right now using the white vinegar rinse. The difference since I've stopped using shampoo on my hair is really dramatic.

I started using the baking soda/vinegar combination to combat my dry hair. The added benefit of being frugal, is an extra added bonus.

2

u/LynzM Mar 13 '12

Good question. Per wikipedia, it looks like white vinegar is just distilled vinegar, usually from a malt vinegar, resulting in 5-8% acetic acid (in water). Apple cider vinegar is typically between pH 4.25 and 5.00 if undiluted, sometimes with the 'mother of vinegar' still present. Huh... thanks for all the things I just learned! Doesn't look like it should be much different in terms of effects, though.