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Vanilla Extract (and more uses for vodka)

Most people know I'm not a drinker. I don't like the taste of it (unless it's a bit of wine in a sauce) so seeing me buying booze in a liquor store is pretty funny. Especially when it's first thing in the morning and I'm going for the biggest, cheapest jug o' VODKA.  The clerk always gives me a winky look and I roll my eyes. No, I'm not in crisis, no, I'm not having a party. I'm making CLEANING SUPPLIES and Vanilla Extract, buster. Legit.

Homemade Vanilla Extract:
Go to Amazon and buy 8 (or so) nice vanilla beans. Or to your personal vanilla bean supplier, whatever's cheapest.  I used Madagascar.
Pour 8oz of cheap vodka in a mason jar.
Split open the beans with a sharp knife and dump them in the jar (told you it was easy)
Slap on the lid and stick it in a dark cupboard for a month or so, giving it a little shake every so often.

 It will be nicely flavored in a month, but will only get better with time. Go ahead, get a couple of jars going for the holiday baking season!

Cleaning stuff:
Wrinkle release/fabric refresher spray:
1/4 cup vodka
1/4 cup liquid fabric softener
water

 Mix vodka/softener in spray bottle (32 oz-ish) and top with water. Shake to mix. spritz on clothes to release wrinkles and freshen before wearing.

 Cleaning spray:
1/4 cup vodka
1 Tablespoon dish soap
water

 Mix in a spray bottle and clean away!

 Vodka is also a good neutral alcohol for deodorizing, so spritz it neat on stinky stuff.

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