Acetic acid can be saturated with various odors and thus furnish fine perfumes; but for so-called toilet vinegars which are used as washes the acetic acid must be properly diluted, since the concentrated acid has pronounced caustic properties, reddens the skin, and may even produce destructive effects on sensitive parts such as the lips.
Glacial acetic acid 2 lb. Camphor 4¼ oz. Oil of lavender ¾ oz. Oil of mace 150 grains. Oil of rosemary 150 grains.
Instead of the perfumes here given, finer odors may be employed for the production of superior toilet vinegars; thus we find vinaigre ambré, au musc, à la violette, au jasmin, etc., according to the perfume used. As concentrated acetic acid dissolves most aromatic substances the same as alcohol, all alcoholic perfumes may have their counterparts in acetic acid; but the aromatics should never be added in so large amount as to mask the characteristic odor of the acetic acid. A very pleasant vinegar may be produced by combining an alcoholic with an acid perfume, as in the following:
1. Macerate: Leaves of geranium, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and sage, of each 1 oz. In alcohol of 80% 1 lb.
2. Macerate: Angelica root, calamus root, camphor, mace, nutmeg, cloves, of each ½ oz. In glacial acetic acid 2 lb.
for two weeks, mix the liquids, and filter them into a bottle which should not be completely filled. The longer this mixture is allowed to season in the bottle, the finer will be the aroma; for in the course of time the alcohol and acetic acid react on each other and form acetic ether, which likewise possesses a pleasant aromatic odor.
Certain aromatic vinegars, like ammoniacal perfumes, are filled into smelling bottles containing the same porous substances for their absorption, namely, sponge, pumice stone, crystals of potassium sulphate, etc.
Essence of rose (triple) 10½ oz. White-wine vinegar 1 qt.
This should be colored a pale rose tint with one of the dye-stuffs to be enumerated hereafter. The use of true wine vinegar is to be recommended for this and all the following toilet vinegars, as the œnanthic ether it contains has a favorable effect on the fineness of the odor.
Extract of orange flower 7 oz. White-wine vinegar 1 qt.