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12 Unexpected Uses For Vinegar

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When it comes to household cleaning, vinegar has a laundry list of uses. It can be used as an alternative for fabric softener, room deodorizer, and even furniture polish! Vinegar is also great for killing weeds in the garden or other places where you may not want plants growing. Vinegar can be used to make your salad dressing or marinade too. The best part? You probably already have some vinegar around your house. Check out these surprising ways you can use this kitchen staple!

Cleaning Windows

Vinegar is excellent for cleaning windows because it doesn’t leave any streaks or residue like many store-bought window cleaners can do, especially when combined with newspaper ink! This also works well on glass shower doors too. Just mix equal parts water and white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. Then liberally apply onto windows before wiping off using crumpled up newspapers instead of paper towels or rinsing them off completely after they’re dry if you don’t have access to newsprint.

Killing Weeds

One of the vinegar’s most popular uses is as a natural herbicide. This works great for killing weeds in your garden or wherever they may be popping up where you don’t want them to grow. Like cracks in concrete sidewalks and driveways too! Just combine equal parts of water with white distilled vinegar. 

Then apply directly onto the leaves of any surrounding weeds that are growing near each other until it has completely saturated their foliage before letting everything dry out naturally (this will take longer if using cold water). Weeds should wilt away within 24 hours but make sure not to disturb the soil around affected areas until new plants have started sprouting again. This could cause them to spread even more quickly.

Cleaning Kitchen Countertop Spills

Vinegar can be used as a natural alternative for cleaning up spills on kitchen countertops without resorting to chemical-based cleaners. That may leave behind harmful residues or not work at all. Just mix equal parts vinegar and warm water together in a spray bottle. Then use it directly onto the affected areas before wiping them away with paper towels, rinsing everything off afterward if needed too.

Cleaning Coffee & Tea Stains

Vinegar is excellent for getting rid of stains from coffee mugs and tea kettles. Both are acidic, just like their own composition, making them perfect for breaking down those stubborn brownish dried pigments stuck inside ceramic vessels over time! Just fill your mug or kettle with half hot water. Half white distilled vinegar before giving it a good stir, then let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes, overnight if possible. To be safe, you can also add in some baking soda to help expedite this process as well before rinsing everything out entirely. Then scrub with a soft sponge or toothbrush until those stains are gone too!

Fertilizing Plants

If you want your houseplants to grow bigger and healthier than ever before. Just mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water together in a spray bottle before applying directly onto them every couple of weeks during their growing season (or whenever leaves start turning yellow) because plants love acidity! Try using different types such as apple cider vinegar. Which has more benefits like killing off harmful bacteria, getting rid of mold spores too.

Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

Another great cleaning tip using vinegar is for getting rid of tough stains left behind from fingerprints and other difficult-to-remove dirt. Found on stainless steel appliances, especially those with a high shine. Just spray full-strength white distilled vinegar onto the affected areas. Then wipe away gently with paper towels or soft cloths that don’t have any lint either because this will cause scratching!

Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Vinegar is an extremely affordable alternative for keeping your hardwood floors clean and shiny. Without having to resort to using expensive store-bought cleaners that could be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly afterward. Just mix equal parts vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Then apply all over before wiping everything down until dry with microfiber cloths or floor rags because this will leave no streaks behind! You can also use leftover tea bags or coffee filters instead for scrubbing away any extra dirt marks still left on the surface. So long as they are lint-free first.

Mold Removal

Vinegar works well at removing mold from areas where you don’t want it growing, such as shower curtains and tile grout. Mix equal parts vinegar with warm water and apply directly onto the affected area. Make sure not to get any on surrounding surfaces that could damage them. Then scrub away with a toothbrush or sponge until all of the molds have been removed before rinsing off completely with more cold water.

Cleaning The Dishwasher

Vinegar has the ability to work as an excellent replacement for dishwasher soap. By simply adding equal parts vinegar with water into your silverware tray before running a cycle. This can help break down grease deposits, remove stains, and prevent any future build-up from occurring. It will also not leave behind any unpleasant odors or residues afterward either. Which is why it’s considered more eco-friendly!

Killing Lice

Vinegar may not be able to kill lice directly. It does help soften their shells which makes them easier for an egg-removal shampoo treatment in order to get rid of infestations quicker too. Just add full-strength white distilled vinegar into your hair conditioner or styling products when doing your normal wash routine. Every other day until you find noticeable relief from symptoms such as itching and rashes after bathing because this is one natural remedy everyone can afford!

Removing Pet Urine Stains & Smell

If you have stubborn pet urine stains that just won’t come out no matter how much elbow grease you put in. Try using white distilled vinegar instead because it contains natural enzymes that break down odor and create a barrier to prevent any future accidents from occurring. Just combine equal parts water with full strength ACV for spraying onto affected areas.Then scrub everything away until dry before allowing the area to air out fresh afterward. Without having to worry about staining either!

Cleaning Shower Heads

Another great use of vinegar that many people are unaware of is its abilities when using it to clean out showerheads. Having to resort to harsh chemicals that could damage them over time instead. All you need to do is pour full-strength white distilled vinegar directly onto affected areas. Then let everything soak for several hours before turning on the shower to see even more of a difference afterward!

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned about these surprising uses for vinegar, make sure to try them out for yourself. There are many other unexpected uses for vinegar that can also be helpful around the home too. If you want to get started or simply learn more, make sure to do lots of research. Also, feel free to try out other natural remedies because it’s always best for you and the environment.