Vinegar is more than just a kitchen staple. It’s a versatile household item with a multitude of uses that extend far beyond cooking. From cleaning to personal care, vinegar can do it all. Here are 20 surprising ways you can use vinegar that you probably didn’t know about.
ELECTRONICS CLEANER: KEEP YOUR GADGETS DUST-FREE
Combine equal parts of white vinegar and water to clean your computer, printer, and other electronics. Use a cloth to wipe down the surfaces and cotton swabs for those hard-to-reach areas.
SMOKE ODOR ELIMINATOR: FRESHEN UP YOUR SPACE
To get rid of lingering smoke smells, place a bowl filled three-quarters with white or cider vinegar in the affected room. For a quicker solution, dampen a cloth with vinegar and wave it around.
MILDEW REMOVER: SAY GOODBYE TO STAINS
For heavy mildew, use undiluted vinegar. For lighter stains, a vinegar-water mix will do. A vinegar mist can also prevent mildew on carpets and rugs.
CHROME AND STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER: MAKE IT SHINE
Spray undiluted white vinegar on chrome and stainless steel fixtures. Wipe down with a soft cloth for a brilliant shine.
STICKER AND GLUE REMOVER: NO MORE STICKY RESIDUE
Use full-strength white vinegar to remove stubborn stickers, decals, and glue. An old credit card can help scrape off the residue.
BRICK BRIGHTENER: REVIVE YOUR FIREPLACE
Mix one cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water to clean dingy bricks around your fireplace.
WOOD PANELING REVITALIZER: BRING BACK THE LUSTER
Combine warm water, white or apple cider vinegar, and olive oil to polish dull wood paneling.
CARPET STAIN LIFTER: ERASE THOSE SPOTS
For light stains, a mix of salt and white vinegar works wonders. For tougher stains, use a vinegar-cornstarch paste.
FROST-FREE CAR WINDOWS: CLEAR VISION AHEAD
Spray a 3-to-1 mixture of white vinegar and water on your car windows to prevent frost.
REFRIGERATOR FRESHENER: BANISH BAD SMELLS
Use a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water to clean and deodorize your fridge.
MICROWAVE CLEANER: STEAM AWAY GRIME
Fill a bowl with water and vinegar, microwave it, and use the cooled solution to wipe down the interior.
CUTTING BOARD DISINFECTANT: KILL GERMS SAFELY
Use full-strength white vinegar to disinfect wood cutting boards and countertops.
DISHWARE BRIGHTENER: SPOTLESS AND SHINY
Add a few ounces of vinegar to your dishwasher to prevent hard-water stains.
FRUIT FLY TRAP: CATCH THOSE PESTS
Fill an old jar halfway with apple cider vinegar, punch holes in the lid, and say goodbye to fruit flies.
MEAT TENDERIZER: MAKE EVERY BITE JUICY
Soak lean cuts of meat or seafood in full-strength vinegar overnight to tenderize them.
DANDRUFF CONTROLLER: FLAKE-FREE HAIR
Rinse your hair with a mix of apple cider vinegar and cold water to control dandruff.
SUNBURN AND ITCH RELIEF: SOOTHE YOUR SKIN
Apply white or cider vinegar with a cotton ball to sunburns, rashes, or insect bites for relief.
EYEGLASS CLEANER: SEE CLEARLY NOW
Use a few drops of white vinegar on glass lenses to remove dirt and smudges. Avoid using on plastic lenses.
COLOR PROTECTOR: KEEP YOUR CLOTHES VIBRANT
Soak new clothes in undiluted white vinegar to prevent colors from running.
SEED GERMINATION BOOSTER: JUMPSTART YOUR GARDEN
Soak woody seeds in a mix of apple cider vinegar and warm water overnight to speed up germination.
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