Vinegar is definitely a staple in everyone’s kitchen, mostly because it is used by moms to create the best home cooked meals for the family. But, did you know that there is so much more that vinegar can offer? It can be used for a lot of ways, and not just around the kitchen!
Read on and find out the fantastic ways vinegar can be used in your household. It is such a versatile product!
1. Removing sticky residue
Having problems with sticker residue on the wall or on your furniture? Just put vinegar on it, let it sit for about ten minutes and wipe away. This is also applicable for when you want to remove sticky residue on clothes.
2. Deep cleaning the oven
Vinegar is a really good cleaning agent, especially if you are aiming for deep cleaning and removing unpleasant odors in your oven. Just put a mixture of baking powder and water on your empty oven and let it sit overnight. The next day, wipe the paste-like mixture and spray the oven with vinegar. Let the foam stay for at least 15 minutes and finally, wipe-out everything and enjoy a clean and fresh oven!
You can also use vinegar for cleaning your windows! Just mix water, detergent and vinegar in a bucket and spray on. Wipe the mixture and see just how clear your windows will be after using this agical cleaning concoction!
4. Descaling your coffee maker
Your coffee maker is an essential part of each morning and cleaning it is definitely a must. One of the best homemade cleaners for your coffeemaker involves vinegar. You can actually descale your machine and remove coffee stains on it by running a full cycle with vinegar instead of coffee. After that, rinse it thoroughly and you’re good to go.
In removing candle wax, you can make it even easier by blow drying the wax buildup first so that most of it will be removed. After that, you can wipe away the residue using a cloth dipped in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar.
Keeping ants and other bugs away is quite simple. Just spray vinegar on your house’s crevices such as windowsills and doorways to make these tiny crawlers stay away.
7. Eliminating bad smells
In general, vinegar is a good helper when it comes to trying to eliminate bad smells in the house. Just place a bowl of vinegar in the room where stinky smells linger and let the vinegar do its magic. You can repeat this method for a few days until the smell is completely gone.
8. Cleaning wooden panels
Vinegar also helps in keeping your wood panelings clean. Prepare a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup olive oil. Add two cups of warm water to complete the concoction. Dip a cloth on the mixture and wipe your wood paneling with it.
9. Cleaning silver, copper and brass
Your silver wares also get to benefit from vinegar. Just add a teaspoon of salt on a cup of vinegar. Add about one cup of flour to create a paste-like consistency. Put this paste on your silver wares and let it sit for about ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing them with warm water and using a soft cloth to wipe them.
10. Removing carpet stains
Carpet stains are quite difficult to manage. But, with vinegar, handling this predicament becomes easier! Just mix equal parts of water and vinegar then spray it onto the stain. Let it stand for a couple of minutes then blot with a cloth.
11. Cleaning window blinds
Prepare a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar in your bucket. Using a cotton glove, dip your hand in the solution and wipe each blind.
12. Eliminating strong and long-staying smells from hands
Chopping onions and garlic can leave strong scents on your hands which sometimes smell for a long time. You can get rid of the lingering scent by wiping your hands with vinegar after chopping.
13. Preparation for painting
Did you know that vinegar can also help you a lot in preparing a surface before painting on it? If you’re going to paint a wall, just wipe it with vinegar and let it dry. Paint should stick easier with vinegar on the walls.
14. Removing stains from plates
Oily foods and food with strong and long-staying colors can sometimes put stain on your plates. The solution to this woe is nothing but a combination of vinegar and a bit of salt to completely get rid of the stains.
15. Wash for fruits and vegetables
One way to ensure that the fruits and veggies you eat are free of dirt is by washing them thoroughly. You can add another layer of washing but this time, you can use vinegar to really remove the dirt on your fruits and vegetables. Just mix equal parts of vinegar and water, place the solution in a spray bottle and spray on your fruits and vegetables. Let it stay for a few minutes then rinse.
16. Keeping the color of your clothes
Did you know that vinegar can also help in preserving the colors of your clothes? All you need to do is to soak your laundry in vinegar before washing them.
17. Cleaning wooden cutting board
Wooden cutting boards can be tough to clean. But, by using vinegar in cleaning cutting boards, you will find that it can be so much easier to keep them clean and free from odors!
18. Keeping the shower are free from mildew
The solution to having mildew in your shower area is right in your kitchen! Just spray the walls and your shower curtain with vinegar to prevent mildew.
Vinegar also helps when unclogging the drain. The first thing to do is to pour half a cup of baking soda. Afterwards, pour half a cup of vinegar and let the combination bubble up until no more bubbles are forming. The last step is to pour hot water on the drain to finally unclog it!
20. Cleaning the toilet bowl
Toilet bowl stains can be nasty. It’s such good news that vinegar is all you need to get rid of the stain and the odor that comes with it. Just spray the toilet bowl with vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe the stains away.
21. Used to create butter milk
Vinegar is an important part of creating butter milk. Just add one tablespoon of vinegar in a cup of milk and wait for a few minutes until the milk slightly curdles. Whisk the concoction and voila! You have butter milk.
Rice can become fluffier when cooked with a bit of vinegar. Just add a teaspoon of it while the rice is boiling and you will have fluffier rice after a few minutes.
23. Used when painting Easter eggs
Here’s a new way of coloring your Easter eggs and it’s with the use of vinegar. Just combine hot water, vinegar and food coloring in a bowl. Dip the eggs in this combination then let them dry.
24. Keeping cloth diapers clean and fresh
Keeping your child’s cloth diapers fresh and clean is totally a must. One simple way of achieving this is by running a cycle in the washer with a mix of vinegar. This will help in breaking down the uric acid and will result to cleaner and stain-free cloth diapers for your baby.
25. As substitute for eggs
No eggs for your baking session? No worries! Just grab a bottle of vinegar and get a tablespoon for each piece of egg that you are replacing. As long as you have baking powder or yeast in your ingredients, replacing eggs with vinegar should work!
26. Keep dogs from scratching their ears
Ear itch can be really annoying for your pets and may even lead to constant scratching. You can prevent them from scratching behind their ears by cleaning this part with a soft cloth dippes in vinegar.
27. Keeps cheese fresh for longer
Cheese can be kept fresh for longer with the use of vinegar. Just wrap the cheese in a cloth dipped in vinegar, place it in a plastic or zip-lock bag and refrigerate.
28. Keep cats away from unwanted surfaces
Cats can be really curious and sometimes go to places where they shouldn’t like your counter top. How to prevent them from going there? Just spray the area with vinegar. Cats hate it and will surely not go there anymore.
29. Makes white shirt even whiter
Deodorant or coffee stains can sometimes cause your white shirts to become yellow-ish in color. Make your white shirts brighter with vinegar! Just add half a cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle and see the difference.
30. Helps in cleaning the washing machine
Washing machines can have soap residues that can cause stains and smells inside the machine. To rinse it off, just add a cup of vinegar and run an empty cycle.
31. For when your dog meets the skunk
Dogs love to explore and sometimes, stinky “accidents” can happen, just like the moment when they run into a skunk. When this happens, just grab your vinegar and mix it with an equal amount of water. Rinse your dog with it and then, rinse with warm water. You can repeat this until the smell is completely gone.
32. As substitute for lemon
Vinegar as a substitute for lemon? Yes! 1 tablespoon of lemon juice can be replaced with 1/4 tablespoon of vinegar.
33. For cleaning your computer
Cleaning your computer is easy! Just mix equal parts of water and vinegar, dip a soft cloth, wring it out and wipe away! You may use a Q-tip for crevices that are hard to reach.
Stinky clothes? No problem! Just soak your laundry in vinegar before running them in a cycle. The odor and stains should be gone.
35. Treats your athlete’s foot
Treating athlete’s foot at home is possible with the use of vinegar. Combine equal parts of water and vinegar in a basin and soak your feet in the solution for 15 minutes, twice a day. Dry your feet carefully after soaking.
36. Polish for your car’s chrome
Polishing your car’s chrome is also another use that vinegar can offer. Just wipe your car’s exterior with a cloth dipped in vinegar for a shinier look.
Bee stings can also be remedied at home with the use of vinegar. It relieves your skin from itching and preventing you from scratching over and over again.
Vinegar can also help in removing excess oil and soap scum from your hair. Add a cup of vinegar to a cup of water and rinse your hair with it.
39. To keep your car windows frost-free
Want your car windows to be frost-free in the morning? Just wipe them with vinegar before going to sleep and see them free of frost the next day!
Colds can be annoying and sometimes, being too busy keeps us from finding medication. It’s a good thing that vinegar can be used to be a D-I-Y remedy for colds. Every morning, just mix a tablespoon of honey with a few ounces of apple cider vinegar. Take this concoction for three times a day to help you with eliminating your colds. It may taste awful, but it works!
41. Cleaning your rusty tools
Are your tools starting to get a bit of rust? Restore them with the help of vinegar! Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a basin, soak your rusty tools overnight and wipe them clean the following morning.
42. For fully utilizing your condiments
Have you ever felt like you are not making the most of your condiments in jars? There is always something left in the container that is too hard for your spoon to reach! With vinegar, you will surely be able to fully consume your condiments. Just pour a few drops of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar on your jar of mayonnaise or salad dressing and shake away. The last of your condiments will be diluted and will come out of the jar easier.
Marinating meat is such a great way to make your home cook dishes even better! Vinegar is a main component in marinating and it truly shows off the savory goodness of your meat dishes!
Trying to prevent cracked eggs when boiling them? There is something that will ensure this for you! Just add a tablespoon of vinegar in the boiling water and these eggs should be kept close to each other and prevent them from bumping together.
Want to test if your soil has alkaline before planting anything in it? Just add 1/2 cup of vinegar and see if it bubbles. If it does, it has alkaline.
46. Makes your teeth whiter
Vinegar can also help in making your teeth even whiter! Dip your toothbrush in distilled white vinegar and do this for once a week to keep your teeth whiter.
47. Remedy for sore throat
Gargling with warm water with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can help in treating your sore throat. Do this as often as you want to finally get rid of that sore throat.
48. Preparation before nail polish
Before painting your nails, it is best to clean them first. You can use vinegar in wiping your nails so you can rid them of any excess oils that might affect you nail polish application. Prepping your nails with vinegar will also help in making your manicure last for longer.
49. Makes your skin softer
Did you know that vinegar can also help in making your skin softer? Adding it to your bath can aid in removing dead skin cells and excess oil, leaving your skin softer and smoother.
50. Helps in removing unwanted grass and weeds
Vinegar is also a great weed killer. You can use it in removing unwanted grass and weeds in your garden, especially in pathways.
Treating dandruff does not have to involve really strong products that can even be harmful to your skin. Just rinse your hair with white vinegar, let it stay for a few minutes and rinse with cool water. Clean your brushes with vinegar, too. Do this at least once a week to keep your scalp free from dandruff.
52. Removes old paint in brushes
Re-using old paint brushes is definitely a huge money saver. However, dried paint can be quite tough. Luckily, vinegar is tougher because it can be used to remove dried paint in your old brushes! Just place them in a pot with vinegar and let them soak for an hour or so. After such time, turn the heat on and see the paint wash away.
Are you scared of spiders coming at you while spending time in your patio? Don’t worry as long as you have vinegar with you! Just mix one cup of it with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle and spray on places such as windowsills and around the patio.
54. Helps prevent toenail and feet fungus
Soaking your feet in distilled vinegar dilute in water can help in preventing the occurrence of toenail and feet fungus. Do this weekly to keep your feet healthy and fungus-free.
55. Used for cleaning the refrigerator
Vinegar is also perfect in keeping your refrigerator clean and fresh. Spraying a mixture of water and vinegar in your fridge can prevent mildew buildup and also removes unpleasant odors.
56. Make your feet ready for summer
Want to have summer-ready feet? Soak them in vinegar as a foot bath to remove dead skin cells and excess oils, leaving your skin soft and smooth.
57. Makes flowers last longer
Water alone may not be enough to keep your flowers stay longer when placed in a vase. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to keep the flowers fresh and alive for a longer time.
58. Used for cleaning your faucets
Chemical build-up can make your faucets look dirty and less shiny. Soaking them in vinegar for a few minutes can help in softening the build-up and makes it easier for you to scrub it off and make your faucets shine again.
59. Can be used for cleaning your loofah
Your loofah may look clean and smell fresh but actually, it has more bacteria and dirt than you can imagine! To make your loofah last for longer, rinse it regularly with white vinegar to disinfect it.
60. Used for cleaning garden or patio furniture
Vinegar is also a useful cleaning agent for the metal and wood surfaces of your patio furniture. You can get them ready for summer by spraying some vinegar diluted in water and wiping them after a few minutes.
61. Used in maintaining your wool and cashmere clothes
You can also use vinegar in un-shrinking clothes made of wool and cashmere. Just combine two tablespoons of vinegar with one quart of water and soak your clothes for a few minutes so the fibers can stretch.
62. Used for cleaning your scissors
Scissors can be cleaned using vinegar, too. Sticky blades can prevent you from making straight cuts, apart from the fact that it is also annoying. Soaking the blades in vinegar will get rid of the sticky residue.
63. Used for removing gum
Removing gum from whatever surface is now easier, thanks to vinegar. The trick is to pour a few ounces of vinegar in a cup and microwave it for a couple of minutes. Soak the area with gum and let it stay until the gum dissolves away.
64. Used for cleaning mattresses
Mattress stains are not easy to get rid of. But, with the use of vinegar, these stains are removed and the mattress gets disinfected, too.
65. Keeps the litter box non-stinky
Your pet’s litter box can be stinky if left not correctly tended to. You can get rid of the odor by cleaning it with distilled vinegar. Just pour vinegar on the box reaching about halfway of its height so the bottom is also covered. Let it soak for an hour and rinse with cool water.
66. Removes crayon from the wall
Your walls most likely double as an empty canvass to your kids who love to color using their crayons. So, how do you remove these crayon marks? With vinegar, of course! Since crayons are made of wax, these can be easily erased by using vinegar which has properties that dissolve anything made of wax.
67. Used in cleaning your bags and rubber shoes
Cleaning your hand bags and rubber shoes is easy enough if you have vinegar around. Keep them shiny, clean and odor-free by wiping them with soft cloths dipped in vinegar.
68. Used for cleaning the grill
Vinegar is also a useful cleaning agent for your grills. Its properties work well in removing the grease and food residue. Just spray the grill with distilled white vinegar and scrub it with wire brush.
69. Removing ink blots and marks
Have you ever experienced having ink blots in your shirt? If you have, then you probably know the difficulty of removing such stain. Vinegar helps in removing this kind of stain. You may use a sponge or cloth with vinegar and blot the mark until it is gone.
70. Helps in removing fleas from your furry friends
Vinegar is great for removing odors and is also perfect for keeping your dogs fur shiny. Aside from that, a regular rinse of vinegar diluted in warm water can also help in removing fleas from your furry friends.
Vinegar is absolutely a useful item in your kitchen cabinet. Its properties lets it be more versatile than just a condiment to make your food even tastier. With these various uses for vinegar, we’re sure you will never look at a bottle of vinegar the same way again.
Source: Tips Bulletin, Cha Ching Queen, Flickr/Jeepers Media
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