Most people keep a bottle of vinegar in the kitchen for cooking, salad dressings, or the occasional recipe. What many don’t realize is that it’s also one of the most useful household products you can own.

Its natural acidity helps dissolve mineral deposits, cut through grease, and remove lingering odors, making it useful for all kinds of cleaning jobs. Best of all, it’s inexpensive and already sitting in most kitchen cabinets.

Here are some practical ways to get more out of that bottle of vinegar.

Remove Mineral Buildup From a Showerhead

If your showerhead has weak water pressure, hard water deposits are often to blame. Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, secure it around the showerhead, and let it soak for a few hours. The vinegar helps dissolve the mineral buildup so water can flow more freely again.

Clean Mirrors Without Streaks

You don’t need an expensive glass cleaner to get sparkling mirrors. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, wipe with a microfiber cloth, and you’ll usually end up with a streak-free finish.

Help Fresh Flowers Stay Fresh Longer

Fresh bouquets won’t last forever, but a small splash of vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar added to the vase water may help flowers stay fresh a little longer by slowing bacterial growth.

Clean Children’s Toys

Plastic toys can collect dirt quickly, especially those that get handled every day. Wipe them down with a mixture of vinegar and water, then rinse well and let them dry before they’re used again.

Make Towels Soft Again

If your towels have become stiff or don’t absorb water like they once did, detergent residue may be the problem. Washing them with a cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle helps remove that buildup and leaves towels feeling softer.

Rinse Fruits and Vegetables

A quick soak in a mixture of water and vinegar can help wash away dirt and surface residue from many fruits and vegetables. Be sure to rinse everything well with clean water before eating or cooking.

Clean Your Coffee Maker

Mineral deposits slowly build up inside coffee makers, especially if you have hard water. Running a cycle with vinegar followed by two or three cycles of clean water helps keep the machine clean and your coffee tasting the way it should.

Remove Odors From Trash Cans

Even after the garbage is gone, unpleasant smells often stick around. Wipe the inside of the can with vinegar or spray it generously before letting it air dry. It helps remove lingering odors instead of simply covering them up.

Loosen Microwave Splatters

Burned-on food is much easier to remove after steaming it first. Heat a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and a splash of vinegar for several minutes. The steam softens dried food so it wipes away with very little effort.

Freshen Your Dishwasher

Dishwashers need cleaning too. Running an empty cycle with a cup of vinegar helps wash away soap residue, mineral deposits, and unpleasant smells that can build up over time.

Brighten Tile and Vinyl Floors

A diluted vinegar solution works well on many sealed tile and vinyl floors, helping lift dirt without leaving behind a sticky film. Always check the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations before cleaning, since vinegar isn’t suitable for every surface, especially natural stone.

Clean the Refrigerator

Refrigerator shelves and drawers can collect spills that are easy to overlook. Wiping them with vinegar helps remove sticky spots and lingering food odors without leaving behind strong chemical smells near your food.

Freshen a Garbage Disposal

Food scraps trapped inside the disposal can quickly create unpleasant odors. Pouring in a little vinegar, sometimes followed by baking soda, helps loosen residue and leaves the disposal smelling much fresher after a good rinse.

Clean Your Washing Machine

Washing machines also collect detergent residue and mineral deposits over time. Running an empty hot-water cycle with white vinegar every so often helps keep the drum cleaner and reduces musty odors before they transfer to your laundry.