DEAR MARY: I've noticed that the 1-gallon jug of white vinegar at the store says it's mixed with water to have 5 percent acidity. Is it possible to buy pure vinegar and dilute it to whatever acidity I want? And the jugs are heavy and take up a lot of storage space. I'm thinking there is an easier way to do this. By the way, I love all of the homemade cleaners you share! — Cally

DEAR CALLY: Yes, there is a way that you can mix your own vinegar to the exact level of acidity you desire. White vinegar consists of 5 to 20 percent acetic acid and water. It has a variety of industrial, medical and domestic uses.

An easy way to mix vinegar to have 5 percent acidity is to mix 1/2 cup acetic acid with 1 gallon of water. To mix vinegar with 30 percent acidity (which is ideal for a very potent weed killer), mix 3 cups of acetic acid with 1 gallon of water.

The challenges are finding acetic acid and then finding a place to store it safely. You must label the bottle clearly and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Acetic acid has very strong fumes and should be handled with care.

You can get a quart of food-grade glacial acetic acid from Amazon for about $19 including shipping. One quart would make 8 gallons of vinegar with 5 percent acidity (1/2 cup acetic acid per 1 gallon water) at a cost of about $2.40 per gallon. This mixture would be supermarket-strength white vinegar that you could use as a salad dressing; a substitute for fabric softener; your own scum and soap remover for the tub and shower; a homemade weed killer; and many other things.

Making your own white vinegar mixture will help you lighten your load and consolidate storage space. As a bonus, you can easily save a few bucks over time depending how much vinegar you use.

I pay about $3 for one gallon of white vinegar at my Costco in northern Colorado (it comes in a 1.32-gallon jug for about $4). I rip through a gallon in no time at all, so I usually buy several jugs at a time. I know what you mean about having a heavy load! The average price of a gallon of white vinegar at Walmart is about $5.

Compare what you are paying at a store to the $2.40 cost per gallon it takes to make your own. I think we've got a winner! Thanks for the idea.

CAUTION: If you use white vinegar as a substitute for liquid fabric softener, DO NOT use full-strength acetic acid! Only use white vinegar with 5 percent acidity (1/2 cup acetic acid to 1 gallon of water).

DEAR MARY: I have bags and bags of hotel soaps that I brought home from trips. I guess we traveled more than we realized. Anyway, do you know a place or organization that would be interested in them? I have already melted down way more bars of soap than I need. — Elgie

DEAR ELGIE: Oh, yes! Consider gifting these toiletries to a homeless shelter in your area. Homeless shelters are one of the most direct ways to give your toiletries to someone in need. You can find a homeless shelter near you on the Homeless Shelter Directory.

Another option would be a local women's shelter. Giving women in these shelters access to their own toiletries gives them a sense of ownership and the opportunity to start fresh. Visit WomensShelters.org, a great resource for shelters across the U.S.

Does your church send out ministry teams during the summer or fill shoeboxes of supplies for needy kids during the Christmas season? Toiletry items are perfect for both occasions. I've given bags of toiletries to young people to take with them to third-world countries, orphanages and schools. Children in need — and the workers who help them — are thrilled to receive any toiletry item.

I know that my church will take all of the toiletry items I have. That's how much the donations are needed and appreciated. A church or synagogue in your area may be just as grateful.

I hope that helps!

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.