The Many Uses of Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most practical and useful items that you can purchase. It’s only about $3 per gallon at the supermarket and each gallon has hundreds of different possibilities.
Below you can find 15 awesome uses for vinegar that you may not have thought about before.
- Make your own conditioner. Use one part vinegar to 3 parts water and create your own conditioner! Simply pour over hair when you are ready to condition and let it sit for a few minutes before you rinse it off.
- Use as sunburn relief. Fill a spray bottle with pure vinegar and spray on the affected areas. You may need to use a cotton ball to dab on smaller areas (such as the face).
- Replace lemon juice. All out of lemon juice and your recipe calls for it? Try replacing the same amount with white vinegar. Use mainly in recipes where small amounts are needed.
- Use to kill weeds. Spray or pour directly on weeds in your driveway. You may need to reapply throughout the day but it should do the trick!
- Use in place of Jet Dry. Instead of a store bought dishwasher rinse aid, pour a little white vinegar in the container instead, your dishes will be sparkling! (Note: Don’t use if anyone in the home has asthma.)
- Use as a degreaser. Have some pots that just refuse to come clean? Give them a little wash with vinegar and then rinse clean. That should do the trick!
- Clean up your garbage disposal. Pour a little vinegar down the garbage disposal along with some citrus (orange, lemon, or grapefruit) peels. Turn it on and let it clean its-self.
- Clean your fruits and veggies. In a sink put one part vinegar and one part water. Soak fresh fruits and veggies for a few minutes and then rinse clean. It will not only remove residue and pesticides but it will also help keep your produce fresher longer.
- Disinfect children’s toys. Mix one part water and one part vinegar together. Either wipe or soak children’s toys to clean and disinfect them. Rinse with water and dry.
- Clean your humidifiers. Soak the filters in either your humidifiers or dehumidifiers in vinegar for an hour to thoroughly clean them.
- Spot clean carpets. Get a fresh stain on your carpet? Spray a little vinegar on the spot, let it soak in for a few minutes, and then scrub clean. Over time, carpets trap dust, allergens, and bacteria, which can affect indoor air quality and overall cleanliness. Regular deep cleaning not only restores the look of your carpet but also extends its lifespan. Services like Magic Castle Cleaning specialize in thorough carpet care, using advanced techniques to lift stubborn stains and refresh fibers. Whether it’s routine maintenance or tackling a particularly tough spot, professional cleaning ensures your carpets stay fresh, clean, and inviting.
- Use as a rinse aid. Add ½ cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle on your washing machine to remove stains and smells, soften your clothes, make colors and whites brighter, and prolong the life of your clothing.
- Strengthen your nails. Make this a new part of your nail care routine? Regularly dip your finger nails in vinegar to strengthen them.
- Get rid of bugs. Place some cider vinegar in a shallow dish somewhere on a flat service if you are sitting outside and the bugs will take a bath in it…and not be able to get back out and bother you.
- Keep the sandbox clean. Keep your kitties out of your children’s sandbox by spraying vinegar around the edges.
As you can see there are so many different uses for vinegar, the possibilities are almost endless! Make sure to check out my Uses for Baking Soda and my Homemade Cleaning recipes posts as well for some more frugal and unique ideas!
What are your favorite uses for vinegar? What are some unique things that you do with it?
