white vinegar for cleaning

Does anyone know of a reliable source of distilled white vinegar, the kind to use for cleaning? I admit I haven't searched the UK top to bottom, but our local Tescos and Waitroses are no help -- I asked and they brought me a bottle of white wine vinegar.

I also wanted to ask about Borax -- I saw one post that said Boots has it in the washing powder section -- any other good sources?

Thanks in advance

I can buy distilled white vinegar at both Tesco and Sainsburys, but the bottles are quite small.  Only ever seen borax in Boots.

i buy a 5ltr jug of white vinegar from a Chinese supermarket place up the road from our home.

i get borax in Boots.

i also use soda crystals as a laundry booster.  get 'em in semi-chem for about 70p a bag.  it's cheaper than borax.

I bought borax in an ordinary (independent) chemists.

I can buy distilled white vinegar, but the bottles are quite small. 

same here... I use it with salt to remove tea stains in mugs.


what's the trick for getting limescale off of the kettle? involves vinegar eh?

yup - you can even use malted vinegar for it...I tried it in desperation & it worked!

yup - you can even use malted vinegar for it...I tried it in desperation & it worked!

I also read somewhere vinegar was good to get whites white... just not the malted stuff which I used in desperation and did NOT work! oops 

what's the trick for getting limescale off of the kettle? involves vinegar eh?

You can use vinegar and just warm it below boiling, and then let it sit to descale.  You can also do the same with fresh lemon juice which is my preference.  Smells much nicer.

excellent, thanks cait. so do you dilute it some with water to cover the element or full strength? These are the details I forgot!!

With the lemon juice or vinegar method, I mix about half and half -- just enough to cover the limescale area.  You can also do it with citric acid.

Never, ever fill the kettle full with vinegar and water, and boil.  Once it does, it can shoot out of the spout.  And yes, that's first-hand experience talking.    

Do Costco or Makro sell it in the large jugs?  I haven't gotten around to getting to Costco yet.

Also looking for large bottles of white vinegar... AND

ethanol

isopropyl 99%

(tons of computer bits/music equipment to clean)

isopropyl 99%

(tons of computer bits/music equipment to clean)

i've bought isopropanol in an independent chemist (not Boots!)... it was pretty expensive.  If i recall, it was £5.49 for 500ml,  and it was stronger than normal US rubbing alcohol.