Vinegar is a renowned home remedy that people have been using for cooking, cleaning, and medicine for centuries. Vinegar has numerous health benefits.
Evidence suggests that vinegar can aid in weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, induce antioxidant effects, and improve the symptoms of diabetes.
Today, we are going to look at a wide variety of uses of vinegar and find out how many ways vinegar can be useful to you in your home. Did you know that vinegar can help to soothe a sore throat? Keep reading to find out how, and many other uses of vinegar.
1. Cleaning the dishes and the dishwasher
One of the versatile uses of vinegar is to clean the dishes. Although dish tablets are very handy in cleaning the utensils in the dishwasher, vinegar provides a quicker and more effective solution. All you have to do is run a cycle with some vinegar. The vinegar will leave all the dishes sparkling clean by cutting through the grime and grease on the utensils.
Additionally, vinegar will also help to keep the dishwasher clean. After several weeks of cleaning dishes, the dishwasher tends to build up lime, soap scum, hard water scum, and grime.
By pouring a cup of vinegar in the dishwasher and running a cycle, the machine will be left sparkling clean, and produce better cleaning results.
2. Killing weeds in your garden
If you have a garden in your home, you may have come across some weeds that keep the garden from thriving. Using strong chemicals to get rid of the weeds can damage the rest of you plants and keep affect your pets.
A chemical free way of getting rid of the weeds without damaging your plants is by using vinegar. Look for vinegar that has high acidic properties and place it in a spray bottle.
Use only one gallon of vinegar and mix it with one cup of salt and a tablespoon of dish soap. Spray the mixture on the weeds in the garden to get rid of them without destroying the plants.
3. Cleaning the toilet tank
Most people always clean the toilet bowl frequently, but the toilet tank is almost always forgotten. Over time, grime, water stains, and dirt pile up in the toilet tank, thereby affecting the performance of the toilet flush system.
The solution to this is very simple. Just take some vinegar and add it into the water tank. The vinegar will clear out any mineral deposits in the water tank and leave it in pristine condition with the water running smoothly.
The best part is that vinegar will not damage any of the components of the water tank. All you have to do is add in a little vinegar once in a while and the water tank will be good.
4. Increase the durability of fresh cut flowers
Did you just receive a bouquet of fresh flowers from a special someone? You do not need to worry about throwing them out after three days. Vinegar can extend the life of the flowers and allow your room to continue looking gorgeous with a fresh fragrance.
Just add a few drops of vinegar into the vase containing water for the flowers. The vinegar will lower the pH of the water and create an unsuitable environment for bacteria that accelerates the wilting process. This will allow the flowers to remain fresh and vibrant for a few more days. Try it, you will not be disappointed.
5. Removing mildew smell from clothes
Have you ever put your clothes in the washing machine and completely forgot about it? How did they smell after you removed them from the machine? The moldy smell that stuck to your clothes after that was mildew. Vinegar can help you get rid of the mildew smell when you leave your wet clothes to sit for a long period of time.
The next time you do laundry, take the musty smelling clothes and place them in the laundry machine. Add some vinegar in the cycle and do the laundry. The acid properties in vinegar will break down the grime in your clothes and rid them of the smell.
6. Cleaning car windows
If you are a car owner, you may have realized that regular glass cleaner is not very effective in removing all the built-up grime from your windows. Vinegar is the key to having car windows that are as clear as day.
The next time you wash your car, add a bit of vinegar into the mix and watch how your car will dazzle and sparkle in the sun. All you have to do is spray some vinegar on the windows when you wash your car.
Follow this up by scrubbing the surface with a rag, then rinse it with water. Vinegar contains acidic properties that allow it to cut through any built up dirt.
7. Getting rid of odors
We all know how cleaning the house can be tedious, especially when you can’t get rid of the odors in the kitchen or bathroom. Although clean surfaces may seem appealing, lingering odors can create a repulsive atmosphere in your home. The solution? Vinegar.
Most indoor odors can be successfully removed with vinegar. Combine a generous amount of vinegar with water and several drops of lemon oil into an empty spray bottle. Spray the mixture around your home, especially in the areas with the stinky odors.
The vinegar will help to eliminate the smell and the lemon will add a fresh fragrance in the air.
8. Healing mosquito bites
Have you ever woken up to several mosquito bites on your face, arms, and legs? We all know how those pesky bites make the skin itch for scratching, which only enlarges the pimples. Vinegar can help heal the mosquito bites on your skin.
Instead of fighting the urge to scratch the sweet itch, and fail miserably, you can apply vinegar on the skin. Soak a small cotton pad in vinegar and use it to dab the liquid on the skin. Vinegar will help to ease the itching by soothing the area around the bite marks.
This will help the bite heal more quickly.
9. Getting rid of carpet stains
Carpet stains can be very annoying especially if you own a brightly colored carpet. The irritating stain will definitely stick out like a sore thumb. So instead of trying to cover up the stain, use vinegar to get rid of it once and for all.
Just mix two tablespoons of vinegar with a cup of baking soda in a bowl. If you don’t have baking soda, you can use salt. Rub the whole mixture into the carpet on the area with the stain. Let the mixture to dry up, then vacuum it off.
The mixture will get rid of the stain and leave you with a clean carpet.
10. Making your towels fluffy
When towels are used several times, they lose their fluffy soft appearance, and become rough and dingy looking. Using some coarse to cover your skin after stepping out of a warm shower is definitely not a pleasant feeling.
If this sounds like any of your towels, then it is time to take action. Vinegar can help to make your towels appear and feel fresher and fluffier. When you wash your towels, add half a cup of vinegar into the bucket.
The vinegar will revitalize your towel making it cozy and inviting once again. Let your next bath be as enjoyable as it should be with a smooth fluffy towel.
11. Softening the skin
Did you know that vinegar can help you give yourself a free at home pedicure? Instead of going to the nail salon for full pedicure that involves soaking your feet in a solution, you can create your own vinegar solution at home.
All you have to do is make a mixture of vinegar and mouthwash. Soak your feet in the mixture for several minutes. Scrub your feet after this and all the dead skin will fall off leaving you with smooth tender feet. After this, applying the nail polish should not be a problem at all. Get a pedicure on a budget with vinegar.
12. Getting rid of fleas from your pet
If you own a pet such as a dog, cat, or any other sort of pet in your home, you need to ensure that they are free from fleas. Instead of using a flee shampoo to get rid of the bothersome blood suckers, you can use vinegar to get rid of the parasites.
Take a generous amount of apple cider vinegar and mix it with water in a spray bottle. After bathing your pet with shampoo on its next bath, spray them with the vinegar solution all over. The vinegar will flush out all the fleas by creating an unpleasant environment.
13. Cleaning and deodorizing the garbage disposal
A garbage disposal that has been used several times eventually starts to emit a filthy odor. Cleaning the dirty disposal may be difficult especially the bits of food stuck in the corners. Vinegar can help to clean the garbage disposal and leave is squeaky clean.
Mix vinegar, water, and lemon into a bowl. Carefully add the mixture to an ice tray to create ice cubes. Lace the tray into the freezer until all the cubes are frozen. When you clean the disposal, place two or three ice cubes down the sink and run the disposal. The cubes will clean off any filthy grime and disgusting smell from the disposal.
14. Healing bruises
Did you know that vinegar can help to heal bruises on your skin quickly? Not only will vinegar heal your bruises, but it will also help to get rid of the dark marks left by bruises.
If you have a nasty bruise, take a paper towel and soak it in white distilled vinegar. Press it gently onto the bruised area for several minutes. The properties of vinegar will help to lighten the dark mark on the skin and ease any pain, thereby healing the bruise quickly.
Don’t remain stuck with bumps and bruises on your skin anymore. Vinegar can make them all go away.
15. Washing fruit to make it last longer
This is probably one of the most awesome uses of vinegar. Did you know that you can wash your fruits with vinegar? This tip is especially useful to people who do not have a refrigerator or freezer.
The next time you purchase vegetables and fruits from the grocery, take time to wash them in vinegar. All you need to do is add warm water to your sink followed by a generous half cup of vinegar. Place the fruits and vegetables into the solution and leave them there for around ten minutes.
Rinse them off and then store them in a cool and dry place for future use.
16. Removing stains
Can you imagine not having to wear your favorite shirt or pants any more because of a visible stain that will not come off?
If you are about to throw way your favorite piece of cloth, then we have got some great news for you. Vinegar can help to get rid of the stain and leave your cloth looking as new and cool as it should.
Another great use of vinegar is clearing out the gunk that makes your fruits and vegetables go bad quickly. By washing your produce in vinegar, they can last up to one more extra week.
17. Making clarifying shampoo
If you have an oily scalp, keeping your hair clean without damaging the strands can prove difficult. Instead of spending a lot of money on expensive clarifying shampoos to clean the roots of your hair, you can make your own shampoo using vinegar.
Take an old shampoo bottle and mix apple cider vinegar with water at a ratio of 1:2 respectively. Shake the mixture so that the components can mix evenly. Aply it on on your hair as you comb it from the roots to the ends. Leave the mixture on your hair for about five minutes then rinse. This will help keep your scalp oil free.
18. Repairing DVDs
DVDs are a bit archaic nowadays, but there are a majority of people who still watch movies on DVDs. A scratched DVD can be quite irritating especially when you are enjoying your favorite film. Instead of throwing out the old scratched DVD, you can use vinegar to fix it.
Take a soft cloth and soak it in white vinegar. Wipe the bottom part of the DVD with the cloth and leave it to dry. Once you do this, insert the DVD into the player. You can now enjoy your movie without the DVD skipping or freezing. Who knew one could use vinegar in this way?
19. Getting rid of annoying fruit flies
Fruit flies are one of the most unwanted houseguests especially in the kitchen. Now thanks to vinegar, you do not have to put up with the pesky little flies anymore.
All you need to do is take a small jar and add some vinegar (apple cider) into it. Pour a few drops of dish soap on the vinegar and stir. Once you have done this, place the jar in the area infested by the fruit flies. The smell will attract the tiny flies, but they will end up drowning in the solution. This will leave your kitchen free from flies and your fruits will no longer be infested.
20. Removing horrible odors
Sometimes the house may get weird odors that are hard to trace the origin. So how to you get rid of the musty smell permanently? You may have tried to use air fresheners, but this only rids the smell temporarily. Luckily, with a little vinegar, you will not have to spend a lot of money on air fresheners and purifiers anymore.
Take one slice of white bread and fully immerse it into vinegar. When the bread is completely soaked, place the bread in a bowl and keep it in the smelliest part of the house.
After 24 hours, the odors should be gone.
21. Buff out the scratches on wood furniture
Do you have any wood furniture in your home? While wood furniture may create a classic vintage taste in your home, it is almost impossible to keep scratches from developing on the surface of the wood. This is because of natural forces of wear and tear. Instead of throwing out the unique, expensive piece of furniture, you can smoothen it out with vinegar.
Take a bottle and mix iodine with apple cider vinegar. Spread the potion gently on the scratches on the wood. All the scratches will be buffed out and leave the furniture smoother and brighter than before. The next tip should also be really useful.
22. Whitening teeth
Have you been searching online for a home remedy of whitening teeth? Vinegar is what you need to get those pearly whites that you desire. Other than cleaning dishes and windows, vinegar is also very efficient in whitening teeth.
Dip your tooth brush in white vinegar and use it to brush your teeth. Repeat this procedure at least once a week for great results. The vinegar is effective because it will get reduce of plaque and stains on your teeth.
Instead of resorting to other abrasive measures of whitening teeth, vinegar offers a simpler, safer, and more efficient teeth whitening solution.
23. Soothing sunburns
Sunburns can be painful and annoying, especially after spending the entire day outside in the scorching sun. If you ever forget to wear sunscreen and end up getting sun burned, you do not have to endure the pain and irritation on your skin longer than necessary. Vinegar will help to soothe your skin and make you more comfortable.
Put some apple cider vinegar in a bottle and place it in the freezer to cool for a while. Once it cools, take it out, soak a soft cloth in it, and rub it gently over your sun burned skin. The properties of vinegar with help to minimize the itching and peeling of skin.
24. Fix windshield wipers
Earlier we discussed how vinegar can clean the windows of your car and leave them as clear as day. Vinegar can also help to fix streaky windshield wipers that smear dirt across the windshield rather than cleaning it.
Instead of replacing the ineffective windshield wipers, just add vinegar on the rubber. Soak a cloth in white distilled vinegar and rub the cloth on the rubber of the windshield wipers. The vinegar will break down the it and grime that creates streak on the windows, leaving the wipers clean and effective.
Just try it at home, and you will see how efficient this hack is!
25. Soothing a sore throat
If you have ever tasted vinegar, then you know it is among the worst tasting things in the world. However, if you are suffering from a sore throat, vinegar may be your best shot at soothing you throat. Before you cringe your face, hear me out. The next time your throat feels sore and raw, take a cup of hot water and add several tablespoons of vinegar (apple cider).
You can also add in some honey to make the solution more palatable. Stir the solution and drink all of it. Your sore throat will definitely start feeling better a few minutes later, although your breath may stink a little. But hey, it is worth the shot, right?
26. Cleaning computers
Computers get dusty after a while, especially when left unused for some time. However, wiping your computer may prove futile because the dust always seems to return. The best way to clean your computer and keep it clean is through using vinegar.
Turn of your computer and mix vinegar (white) with water equally. Take a soft piece of cloth and dip it into the mixture, then squeeze it.
Rub the cloth over your computer gently to remove the dust. The vinegar will get rid of stubborn dust and leave you laptop shining and dazzling. It will look as if it were new.
27. Getting rid of water rings from furniture
Water rings on wood furniture can be very infuriating and bothersome. Although coasters are great for preventing water rings, sometimes you may forget to use them. Instead of using different items to cover up the water rings, you can use vinegar to get rid of the rings permanently.
Mix vinegar and olive oil equally in a bowl. Using a smooth cloth, apply the mixture on the stained area of the furniture and rub it gently on the wood. Take another clean cloth and wipe of the mixture. When you are done, the water rings should all be gone. Have a look at the next hack.
28. Eliminating bumper stickers
Bumper stickers are fun and cool to place on your car, until they get worn out, and you have to remove them. Most of the time, there will be a sticky residual left on your car, from trying to remove the bumper sticker. The best way to get rid of bumper stickers permanently and smoothly is with vinegar.
Pour distilled undiluted vinegar on the sticker’s top and sides. Leave it there to soak for about ten to fifteen minutes, then use plastic to scrape off the sticker. You can use an old credit card for this. The vinegar will remove the sticker without leaving any sticky residue behind.
29. Making dusting spray
Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent especially in getting rid of dust. The next time you clean your house, avoid using the feather duster to get rid of dust from the furniture. Vinegar is the best cleaning agent that will keep the dust from settling in the furniture.
Mix a quarter cup of vinegar with a full cup of water, a few drops of lemon, and two teaspoons of olive oil. The vinegar is important because it will cut through the grease and grime on the surfaces that keeps attracting the dust. The lemon oil will add a protective layer over the furniture to keep the dust away.
30. Creating cleaning spray for all purposes
Some of the chemicals that you use to clean your home may be harmful to your skin and hands. Rather than cleaning your home with chemicals, try using vinegar instead. Although chemicals also do a great job of getting rid of dirt, vinegar will leave a healthier environment in your home.
Take a spray bottle and put an equal amount of white vinegar and water into it. You can also add in several drops of essential oil for a lingering fresh fragrance. The solution you create will be effective in cleaning hardwood floors, kitchen counters, and any other areas in your home.
31. Unclogging the sink
Another valuable use of vinegar is in unplugging the sink. Particles tend to build up in the sink pipes over time, resulting into gunk that blocks the drainage. Instead of hiring a plumper to fix the sink, you can use vinegar to take care of the problem.
The first thing you need to do is pour some hot boiling water down the drainage. Secondly, pour a cup of baking soda into the sink followed by vinegar of the same amount. The vinegar will mix with the baking soda and react to form a bubbling concoction that will clear up the pipes. You can follow this up by pouring several cups of boiling water down the pipes.
32. Cleaning the microwave
Microwaves are among the most efficient appliances in the kitchen. However, they are quite difficult to clean. After using the microwave several times, some bits of food may get stuck on the sides permanently.
However, all hope is not lost because vinegar can clean your microwave effortlessly and quickly. Add distilled white vinegar into a bowl and mix it with an equal amount of water. Warm the solution in the microwave for about three minutes until steam starts to form from the bowl. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and wipe the inside of the microwave. The steam will loosen the grime, so that when you wipe the microwave, all the dirt will be leaned off.
33. Cleaning burnt pan
Do you struggle cleaning burnt pans in your kitchen? Well, vinegar will help you solve this problem. Instead of scratching the scorched bottom of the pan with steel wool, just use vinegar to make it smooth again.
Place the burnt pan on a stove and fill it with an equal measure of water and vinegar, then boil the mixture. When the solution starts to bubble, turn off the stove and add two tablespoons of baking soda in the pan. Leave the mixture for several minutes then place it in another container and use it to clean the pan. Make sure that you use a scouring pad for better results.
34. Cleaning dirty tiles
Vinegar is one of the best cleaning agents because it disinfects, cleans, and deodorizes the surface. This natural cleaning agent will always keep your home chemical free and clean, unlike most chemicals used to clean surfaces like tiles in the home.
If the tiles in your home have grime and dirt, all you need is some vinegar to have the shining and dazzling again. Take a bucket and fill it up with a gallon of warm water. Follow this up by adding half a cup of vinegar to the solution. Wipe the tiles with clean water, then mop them with the vinegar solution to get rid of the stains and grime.
Have you learned something useful about vinegar? Which of the above uses of vinegar did you find most valuable? Vinegar can clearly do more than remove stains and add flavor to food. Let us know if this information was helpful.
35. Creating a wrinkle releaser
As you have seen so far, vinegar has so many uses outside the kitchen. One of the other areas where vinegar is really useful is in the laundry room. Do you know how clothes get winkled after washing them? Well, instead of spending time ironing all the clothes, you can simply use vinegar to straighten them up.
Add two cups of water, a teaspoon of hair conditioner, and a tablespoon of vinegar into a spray bottle. When you take the clothes out of the dryer, spray them with the solution and leave them to dry. The vinegar will relax the fibers of the clothes and eliminate the wrinkles.
