The Many Uses of Vinegar

The average person might think that vinegar is good for nothing but cooking and making salad dressing, but vinegar is a very useful thing to have around the house. Vinegar can be used for everything from cleaning to cosmetics. Keep a jug of vinegar under your sink and it might very well come in handy one day.

White vinegar is an exceptional glass cleaner. Use a small amount full-strength or partly diluted with water. Wipe on and then wipe off with a dry rag for a streak-free shine.

Vinegar is a great antibacterial all-purpose cleaner. Use it on wood, glass, ceramic, enamel, and stainless steel.

Vinegar can be used to sterilize cutting boards and wooden cooking implements.

Red wine vinegar mixed with water, taken as a shot followed by water, or eaten with cucumber slices will help get rid of heartburn and morning sickness.

A mixture of equal parts vinegar and baking soda makes an excellent shower scrub for removing hard water stains.

To unclog a sink, pour ¼ cup baking soda down the drain and rinse down slowly with vinegar. Follow with 2-3 pots of boiling water. Repeat if necessary.

White vinegar can be used as laundry detergent and will not make your clothes smell like vinegar. Vinegar also has a fabric softening effect. Use one cup of vinegar in a medium sized load and two cup in a super-sized load.

To use vinegar only for laundry softening, add two tablespoons to the rinse cycle or the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine.

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a hair rinse to soften and condition the hair as well as making it extra shiny. Be very careful to rinse well so there will be no residual smell. It can be used in place of hair conditioner.

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a facial toner after washing and before and after using a mask. Be sure not to get it in your eyes and rinse after a few minutes.

White vinegar is one of the most effective mosquito repellents I have ever used. It was the only natural product that kept the clouds of mosquitoes off of me while gardening. Using a sponge, wipe a thin layer of vinegar on your exposed skin. It will smell for a moment, but once it is dry the smell will be completely gone.

Vinegar can be used as an antiseptic in place of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.

Straight vinegar can be used as a mold and mildew remover.

White vinegar can be used in place of dish soap if you run out. It can also be used in the dishwasher to wash dishes. Use two cups of vinegar per wash load.

Run ½ pot white vinegar through a cycle on your coffee maker once every two months to get rid of any mildew taste or hard water deposits.

Run two cups of white vinegar through an empty dishwasher to get rid of hard water stains and stop your machine from leaving spots and residue on dishes.

Vinegar may be useful in removing oil from the top of your car's engine. Use straight white vinegar.

Hot vinegar tea is sometimes consumed to treat arthritis.

Add vinegar to Easter egg dye to help the eggs take more color.

One or two drops of apple cider vinegar will improve the taste of distilled and well water.

Soak a clogged shower head in straight white vinegar overnight to remove hard water deposits.

Vinegar can be used in place of windshield wiper fluid but will not prevent freezing in winter months.