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Vinegar really is a miracle product. Not only is it cheap, vinegar has tons of amazing capabilities and there are an almost limitless amount of vinegar uses. Most people probably think vinegar can only be used in the kitchen or for cleaning purposes but there are actually a lot more ways you can use it! And since it’s a natural product you don’t need to worry about harmful chemicals which is always a plus.
RELATED: 15 Natural Cleaning Products You Can Make Yourself!
25 Vinegar Uses That Will Blow Your Mind
1. All-Natural Weed Killer
A few years ago I discovered that vinegar mixed with salt and a little Dawn make a fantastic weed killer!
Mix one gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt and a teaspoon of Dawn together.
Fill a spray bottle and apply directly to weeds. Weeds just wither and die. You’ll notice a difference after just a few hours if it’s warm and the sun is shining.
2. Drain Unclogger
A combination of cheap ingredients – water, baking soda, and vinegar – will unclog any drain in about 30 minutes.
This only works if there is no standing water covering the drain so wait until it’s totally drained first. Then boil 1-2 cups of water and pour into the drain to help loosen any gunk. Work about 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain. I find a flexible straw will help with poking the baking soda deeper into the drain. You want it as close as possible to where the clog is. Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain next. The mixture will bubble like crazy. Let it sit for about 20 minutes so it can do its magic. Then pour another 2 cups of boiling water into the drain to flush it. Repeat if needed.
3. DIY Window Cleaner
Here’s one of the amazing vinegar uses you need try!
Mix 1 tsp of dishwashing liquid (Dawn works the best), 2 cups of rubbing alcohol and 1/2 cup vinegar with enough water to fill a one-gallon jug.
Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and use on windows, mirrors, and appliances! Wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel.
4. Disinfect Toilets
Vinegar has antibacterial properties which make it perfect to use in kitchens and bathrooms, especially on toilets.
Pour a cup of diluted vinegar (1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water) directly into the toilet bowl.
Let it sit several hours or overnight then scrub well with a toilet brush.
5. Disinfect sinks and tubs
One of the best uses for vinegar is as a disinfectant. Spray full-strength vinegar around sinks and tubs to disinfect these breeding grounds for germs. Wipe with a clean cloth.
6. Refrigerator cleaner
Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Wipe refrigerator walls and shelves with a clean rag dipped into vinegar mixture. No rinsing required!
7. Carpet stain remover
Mix 2 tbsp white vinegar with 1/4 cup of baking soda.
The mixture should resemble a paste. Rub into the stain and let it dry completely. Vacuum the next day.
8. Stop static cling
Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to your laundry during the rinse cycle.
The acid in the vinegar reduces static!
9. Perk up cut flowers
Here is another one of these amazing vinegar uses I never knew about.
Add 2 tbsp white vinegar and 1 tsp white sugar to 1 quart of clean water.
Pour into a vase and arrange cut flowers. The flowers will almost immediately perk up if they’ve started to wilt.
10. Itch relief for insect bites
Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply directly to the affected area. This will stop the itching so it can heal!
11. Teeth whitening
Dip your toothbrush into full-strength white vinegar and thoroughly brush your teeth. Do this at least once or twice a week for a whiter smile.
12. All-natural de-icer
If you live in a cold climate like I do, this is one of those vinegar uses you’ll want to remember.
Mix 3 parts vinegar with one part water. Spray on the windshield the night before. The vinegar will hinder ice or frost from forming on your windshield. No more waking up early to scrape your car windows!
13. Easier peeling hard-boiled eggs
Add 2 tbsp vinegar to boiling water for hard-boiled eggs.
The eggs won’t crack while boiling and they’re much easier to peel once cooled.
14. Clean the microwave
Fill a small bowl with equal parts vinegar and water.
Cook on high in the microwave for 5 minutes. This loosens any grease or caked-on food so it wipes right off. If there is still stubborn goop, microwave for another few minutes and wipe again.
15. Fruit and vegetable rinse
Mix 2 tbsp vinegar with one pint of water and wash fruits and vegetables in it.
The vinegar helps remove more of the residue left by pesticides than just water alone.
16. Loosen a rusty screw
Spray vinegar all around a rusty screw to loosen the rust so that it can be unscrewed. The vinegar breaks down the rust buildup.
17. Remove melted wax
If you have melted wax that has spilled from candles onto floors or shelves, wipe it with a rag dipped in vinegar until it’s gone.
18. Remove sticker goo
For adhesive stuck to bottles or jars after removing the sticker, apply full-strength vinegar to it and let it sit. It will just wipe off after it’s set for a while. If there’s still goo left, apply more vinegar and let it for a while more.
19. Clean coffee pots
Clean your coffee pot by pouring 1 cup of vinegar into the reservoir and running it for one cycle. This will loosen and remove any build-up form minerals or hard water.
20. Clean your dishwasher
Even an appliance designed for cleaning needs to cleaned! Pour vinegar into a cup and sit upright on the top rack of your dishwasher. Sprinkle baking soda along the bottom. Run your dishwasher for one light cycle to remove any residue or food particles.
21. Clean litter boxes
Empty litter boxes of used litter. Pour a cup of vinegar into the box (or enough to completely cover the bottom) and let sit for several hours. This will remove any lingering odors from cat urine or feces. Fill with fresh litter after thoroughly rinsing and drying.
22. Remove odors from plastic storage containers
Dip a clean cloth in vinegar and wipe plastic storage containers to remove any lingering odors. Rinse and dry.
23. Clean up pet accidents on rugs and carpets
Apply vinegar directly to pet accidents on rugs and carpets. Let sit several hours and then rinse with a clean cloth dipped in water. Do a color-safe test in a hidden area first to make sure it doesn’t discolor.
24. Renew leather goods
Wipe leather bags and shoes with a clean cloth dipped in vinegar.
The vinegar will restore the shine and remove any scuffs from the leather.
25. Fabric softener
Add 1 cup of baking soda to 2 cups hot water and stir until dissolved. Add 1 cup of vinegar.
The mixture will react and bubble. Add 1/4 cup in a rinse ball to your load. Or you can skip the baking soda and just mix 1 cup vinegar to 1 cup water and add to your load.
There are tons of vinegar uses
Were you surprised by some of the vinegar uses in this list? Some I already knew about because my mom was a big believer in using natural products to clean. But some of them really surprised me! If you’re looking for a more natural way to combat common household cleaning tasks, try using vinegar! It’s cost-effective and natural.
