Two of the best fabric care allies available are those old standbys, vinegar and baking soda. Both products are versatile enough in their uses to merit books of their own – “Vinegar” and “Baking Soda” – both by Vicki Lansky, published this year by Book Peddlers on recycled paper. Lansky is a contributing editor to Family Circle magazine with 30 books to her credit, most of them about parenting.

“Vinegar” and “Baking Soda,” each about 100 pages, are filled with tips, hints and ideas for using those kitchen staples in cooking, crafting, cleaning and fabric care. Best of all, the author points out, vinegar and baking soda are friendly to the environment.

Vinegar, Lansky writes, has been around for at least 3,000 years and its uses include preserving, cleaning and health. Vinegar is big business in the United States, with sales tallying $220 million each year.

Vinegar, believe it or not, even has its own museum – the International Vinegar Museum in South Dakota, which opened in 1999. Visit www.vinegarman.com or call toll free (877) 486-0075 to obtain information about the museum.

Got mildew on garments? Add vinegar to the wash water. Got a lint problem? Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle to banish manufacturing chemicals from new cloth.

Vinegar also is useful in removing mustard, tomato sauce and cola stains.

Baking soda has similar uses. Soak dishcloths in a solution of baking soda and water to keep them smelling sweet and clean.

A mildewed shower curtain washed with two bath towels, detergent, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and with 1 cup of vinegar added during the rinse cycle, will give the shower curtain a new lease on life.

Got gunk on the bottom of your steam iron? Rub it with a paste of baking soda.

Baking soda also serves as the primary ingredient for play clay, used in children’s craft projects.

To make play clay, mix a one-pound box of baking soda, 1 cup of corn starch and 11/2 cups of cold water. Stir it all together and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture resembles mashed potatoes. Remove it from the stove and pour onto a plate. Cover it with a damp cloth. Cool thoroughly. Color it with food coloring. Pat it smooth and start crafting. Dry craft projects in an oven, air dry them or dry for 30-second increments in a microwave oven.

Visit www.armhammer.com for more specific information on play clay, baking soda and its uses.

Visit www.bookpeddlers.com to learn more about Lansky’s books on vinegar and baking soda, or ask your local bookseller to get copies.

Snippets

. A reader from Bangor, who is an expert at doing needlepoint, e-mailed this advice: “The more you handle the canvas and stitch the piece, the more the stiff canvas will become soft and pliable.” She also suggests using strands of yarn no longer than 18 inches to prevent splitting and fraying. She sent a list of some of her favorite needlepoint Web sites, including: www.smilingsheep.com, www.tapestry-tapestry.com, www.needlepointheaven.com, www.magneedle.com, www.needlepoint.org, www.needlepoint.about.com, www.stitching.com, www.institches-online.com and www.needlepointfun.com.

Stitchery Square in Camden, 236-9773, is also a source for needlepoint yarn and supplies.

I’ve also been informed that Marden’s in Ellsworth will be receiving a stock of needlepoint kits this week.

As for my own current needlepoint project, don’t ask.

. A Lowell, Mass., yarn maker agreed to pay a $300,000 fine after federal environmental regulators filed a criminal complaint against the company for discharging pollutants into a river without a permit, according to a recent Associated Press story.

In addition to the fine, the company agreed to establish a compliance program designed to address environmental problems.

Dutton Yarn cooperated fully in the EPA’s investigation and voluntarily ceased production until the necessary repairs were made to bring the plant into compliance with the law, the story said.

Ardeana Hamlin welcomes suggestions. Call 990-8153, or e-mail ahamlin@bangordailynews.net.