Vinegar
Vinegar is popular as a non-toxic cleaner. I have historically avoided its use because CF causes extreme acidosis, so I am generally working hard to get more alkaline.
I also have historically not used it because I use a lot of peroxide and mixing vinegar with peroxide creates a toxic chemical, paracetic acid. Among other things, it is hard on the lungs and people with CF have serious lung issues.
However, we happen to have white vinegar in the house currently because we live in an old building with ongoing plumbing issues. A few weeks back, vinegar plus baking soda and a toilet plunger proved more effective than repeated rounds of chemical drain cleaner in resolving a blocked drain.
So, since we have it on hand, after doing this bit of recent research, my son has begun experimenting with using vinegar to wash his SKIN in the shower. Preliminary results are promising.
He does smell strongly of vinegar afterwards and we are careful about trying to not use peroxide WITH the vinegar, but -- among other things -- he is taking shorter showers because it takes him less time to feel clean than it usually does.
I also have historically not used it because I use a lot of peroxide and mixing vinegar with peroxide creates a toxic chemical, paracetic acid. Among other things, it is hard on the lungs and people with CF have serious lung issues.
However, we happen to have white vinegar in the house currently because we live in an old building with ongoing plumbing issues. A few weeks back, vinegar plus baking soda and a toilet plunger proved more effective than repeated rounds of chemical drain cleaner in resolving a blocked drain.
So, since we have it on hand, after doing this bit of recent research, my son has begun experimenting with using vinegar to wash his SKIN in the shower. Preliminary results are promising.
He does smell strongly of vinegar afterwards and we are careful about trying to not use peroxide WITH the vinegar, but -- among other things -- he is taking shorter showers because it takes him less time to feel clean than it usually does.
