Vinegar is a versatile household item. It can be used for more than just cooking and provides practical solutions for various tasks around the house. It’s cost-effective and all-natural, making it a great choice for cleaning. Since vinegar contains acetic acid, it naturally disinfects and can effectively kill germs like salmonella and E. coli. It’s a handy alternative to store-bought cleaners and can handle tasks like removing mineral deposits, grease, and dirt.
Here are 14 useful ways to use vinegar in your home.
Cleanse the Showerhead
The showerhead can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and organic matter if left unattended. While the surface of the showerhead may appear clean at first glance, it gradually accumulates dirt, minerals, and bacteria over time, potentially compromising hygiene and the overall quality of our showering experience.
In cases where the showerhead lacks sufficient force or gets clogged, you can use vinegar to clean the showerhead. All you have to do is soak the showerhead in vinegar.
Make Your Mirror Shine
Want streak free mirrors? No windex? Substitute Windex with a mix water and vinegar for a natural, streak-free shine on your mirrors.
Make Flowers Last Longer
To make your flowers last longer, use a teaspoon of vinegar and sugar to the water to help balance its acidity and extend the life of your flowers.
10 Ways To Keep Your Flowers Fresh and Alive Longer
An Eco Friendly Way to Clean Toys
To clean baby toys, simply mix vinegar with water, let the toys soak, and then rinse them with clean water.
Brighten Your Towels
Vinegar can serve as a laundry detergent substitute. Using vinegar can effectively revive and brighten your towels. It also helps to soften the towel’s fabric and keep it fluffy.
Wash Fruits and Vegetables
Mom always used to say, ‘Wash your fruits and veggies,’ and for good reason. From how it is transported to the number of hands that touch it in the supermarket, there’s no telling how filthy those things are. That’s where vinegar comes in. Simply wash your fruits and vegetables with vinegar. It will help to remove any dirt and germs.
Coffee Maker
If you frequently use the coffee maker in your household, then the rule of thumb is to clean it at least once a month. The cleaning process requires flushing out the coffee machine using vinegar. You then use baking soda to create a little scrub to clean the inside of the coffee pot. The baking soda will scour the coffee pot buildup, removing existing coffee stains.
Deodorize the Trash Can
Eliminating unpleasant odors from your trash can is a common concern. To address this issue, vinegar can be quite effective. Just pour some vinegar into the bottom of your trash can and allow it to absorb the unwanted odors, leaving your trash can with a fresh and clean scent.
Microwave
Considering how often we use the microwave, it’s no surprise that it can end up with food splatters, spills, and lingering odors. A practical method to clean the microwave is to put a cup of vinegar inside and heat it. The steam from the vinegar will help loosen up the mess, making it easy to wipe clean.
How to Clean a Microwave (4 Easy Methods)
Cleanse the Dishwasher
Create the perfect cleaning solution for your dishwasher using vinegar and baking soda. While it might seem counterintuitive to clean an appliance designed to clean your dishes, regular maintenance is essential to keep it running smoothly and ensure consistently spotless dishes. This is particularly important if your dishes aren’t coming out clean, your glasses have a cloudy appearance, or you notice an unpleasant odor.
Add Shine to Floors
Prepare a mixture of vinegar, water, and a small amount of dish soap and use it as a cleaning solution for your floors. Vinegar is highly effective in addressing dirt on surfaces like ceramic and luxury vinyl plank floors.
How To Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring
Refrigerator
The refrigerator requires an occasional deep cleaning. Add vinegar to a spray bottle and spray the refrigerator surfaces after removing all its contents. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Refresh a Smelly Garbage Disposal
Like the drain, the combination of vinegar and baking soda is perfect for cleaning and removing nasty smells from your garbage disposal. The pair will loosen any stuck-on food and debris in the garbage disposal and help it to dissolve better – thanks to its bubbling effect.
Washing Machine
Your washing machine plays a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness of your household, from washing clothes to linens and towels. However, every now and then, it requires some extra attention. Over time, washing machines can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Vinegar is an excellent choice for cleaning your washing machine.
14 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
Most people toss out used coffee grounds after making their morning cup of coffee, but what you might not know is that these grounds can actually be useful in many ways. You can repurpose them to do things like composting or cleaning, which can help reduce waste in your home. Here’s how. 14 Incredible Ways to Repurpose Used Coffee Grounds
15 Tips on How to Declutter Your Home
Although clutter can accumulate quickly and easily between you and your life, decluttering can spark immense joy and accomplishment. Here are 15 tips to help you tackle the task of decluttering your home.
15 Tips to Help You Declutter Your Home
20 Surprising Items in Your Kitchen That Need to Hit the Trash Immediately
The kitchen holds a special place in our homes, serving as a hub for cooking, meals, and gatherings. However, even though it’s the center of our daily lives, it’s easy for clutter, disarray, and items that have outstayed their welcome to accumulate in this space. Check out the 12 items in your kitchen that should be thrown away immediately. How to Declutter Your Kitchen: 20 Items You Should Toss
10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)
Dryer sheets have earned their place as a laundry room essential, adding fresh scent and reducing static in our clothes. They’re appreciated for making laundry softer and more fragrant. But these sheets offer more than just laundry benefits. In fact, they can be quite handy around the house. Here are ten ways you use laundry sheets for more than just laundry.
10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)
WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House
For many of us, purchasing WD-40 is often prompted by the need to silence a squeaky door, only for the can to be shelved and forgotten. You’d be surprised to know that this well-known spray has numerous practical uses. Here are ten ways to make the most of WD-40 in your home.
WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
