From Pat Veretto's Blog
Vinegar neutralizes bleach and any other chlorine products, which is very useful to know if/when you accidentally spill bleach somewhere where you don't want it! Grab the jug of vinegar and use it liberally. If used immediately, vinegar will even keep bleach from destroying the color on dyed clothes.
Do NOT mix bleach and vinegar except in small amounts, as it produces chlorine gas which can be deadly.
Vinegar is a bleaching agent in its own right on the order of lemon juice, so take caution if using it on really fragile surfaces.
I experimented with a stain on my kitchen counter: A piece of colored paper had been left on the counter and water had been spilled on it. It was several hours before it was discovered, and by that time there was an orange square on the counter top. I dribbled vinegar on the stain and went to do other cleaning. When I returned in about a half hour, the stain was completely gone. It takes more time to work than bleach, but it's many times safer to use.
You won't get bleach spots on your clothes and you won't have to worry about pets and children getting into it. It won't hurt rubber (elastic items) and it won't burn your skin. If you get some in your eyes, splash with plain water and wait for your eyes to water to clear it up - no need for an emergency room visit!
Other bleaching uses: Vinegar will usually get rid of rust stains on clothing and other items. Soak the piece with it, sprinkle with salt and put it in the sun to dry. Wash as usual after this treatment.
Vinegar will sanitize your laundry as well as any surface - just like bleach. Visit Pat's Blog: http://patveretto.com/blog/extremelyfrugal.html
