7 Secret Uses for Vinegar

Did you know that vinegar is one of your homes biggest secret agents? The stuff is powerful, amazing and has tons of uses. Here’s just a sampling of how you can better take advantage of one of the most affordable items just hanging out in your home, clearly waiting to take center stage.

Do you use it for anything else? I know vinegar is good for cleaning just about any surface or item you can imagine, can be used for pets, in your lawn, to clean your produce, so much. So keep reading for our favorite uses, and leave your recommendations in the comments section.

 All Natural, Cleaning agent: Create a 50/50 solution with vinegar and water and get ready to make your home spotless without all the chemicals in traditional cleaning products. It also leaves a nice smell. Use it on computer equipment (power down first!), too… dampen a cloth with the solution to get those keyboards, mouse, printer, printer and more.

Make a Bathroom Shine: Pour a little undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth and use it to wipe your chrome faucets, towel racks, bathroom mirrors, doorknobs, and such. It’ll leave them shining!  You can also make your shower door sparkle (remove those water spots!) by whipping them down with a cloth dipped in a solution of 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, and 1/4 cup baking soda mixed in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) warm water. A few steps but well worth the result.

Get Cleaner/Fresher Laundry & Clean your Washing Machine: make your whites bright, and your brights brighter thanks to vinegar. Before doing your high washes, toss in a capful of white vinegar.  For stains, make a mixture of one-third cup white vinegar and two-thirds cup water. Apply the solution to the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Repeat this process until you’ve removed as much green as possible, and then launder as usual.

I guess I assume my washing machine self cleans but really, important to eliminate soap scum and disinfect by pouring in two cups vinegar, then run the machine through a full cycle without any clothes or detergent. If your washer is particularly dirty (lots of sports clothes!), fill it with very hot water, add 2 gallons (7.5 liters) vinegar, and let the agitator run for 8-10 minutes. Turn off the washer and let the solution stand overnight. In the morning, empty the basin and run your washer through a complete cycle.

Drink it for health benefits! No joke. Have you been hearing about this? I have two friends who swear by it, and I’ve been curious to test it out. Great for digestion, bloating, heart health, weight loss and management, balancing your alkaline pH level, to lower cholesterol & overall health. More reasons here. A little goes a long way.

Clear your skin: Did you know that apple cider vinegar can do wonders for your skin? Use it as an all-natural, affordable astringent. Simply, apply a washcloth soaked in diluted apple cider vinegar to your face. Afterward, the protective acidic layer will make your skin feel smoother, absorb excess oil and reduce fine lines. This works by restoring the proper pH levels to your skin, and beta-carotene helps to counter future skin damage

Whiten your teeth! While yo want to do this sparingly, you can rub stubborn stains with apple cider vinegar directly on your teeth then rinse with water. Just don’t do this often as it can break down tooth enamel. For a less abrasive whitening mouthwash, mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water, then swish around in your mouth.

Dissolve Stubborn Glue: Ugh, I hate that sticky residue that gets stuck… hello price tags on picture frames, for example. Use vinegar as a solvent to dissolve many common adhesives. Vinegar is also good at cutting grease.