11 Surprising Uses for White Vinegar

You probably have a bottle of white vinegar sitting in your cupboard. Although it is great for culinary uses, this unique liquid can be utilized for many at-home remedies, too. Not to be confused with malt vinegar, which is browner in color, white vinegar has 11 surprising uses that you need to try!

Clean Small Appliances

Do your coffee machine, kettle, and other small appliances have a crusty build up on them? You can banish the limescale with white vinegar. Just spray the surface and allow the liquid to sit for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off with hot water. You can also clean your iron by emptying the water reservoir and filling it a third of the way with white vinegar. Iron an old cloth using the steam setting until the vinegar is gone. Allow the iron to cool and repeat the process but with clean water this time. That way, you can flush out any white vinegar. Always empty the water reservoir after each use.

Rinse in the Dishwasher

Pour a small amount of white vinegar into the rinse-aid dispenser of your dishwasher. It will help keep your glasses and cutlery-free of smears and streaks. If you are tired of glassware coming out of the dishwasher with cloudy residue, then you need to squirt some white vinegar in there!

Brighten the Kitchen

As you probably can tell by now, white vinegar is an excellent cleaning source. You can pour some on a cloth and wipe your kitchen sink, draining board, and other areas. Water can dull your surfaces because evaporation leads to limescale deposits, but white vinegar will keep your kitchen surfaces shining.

Wash the Windows

If white vinegar works in the dishwasher on your glassware, then it is bound to work on all types of glass surfaces, right? You can get your glass gleaming from windows and mirrors to shower screens thanks to the streak-free abilities of white vinegar. All you have to do is spray some on the glass surface and wipe it off with a clean, lint-free cloth or a balled-up piece of newspaper.

Undo Unsightly Stains

Instead of staring at an unsightly stain on your favorite shirt or upholstery, you can get rid of it thanks to white vinegar. Although it does not work on all stains, dirt and other organic stains do not stand a chance. Spray any color-safe fabric and wipe it with a damp, clean cloth. Likewise, you can use white vinegar as a stain treatment for shirts just before they are tossed into the washer. Spray cuffs, collars, and deodorant marks goodbye.

Deodorize Potty Accidents

Puppies and kittens are not born house trained, so the next time you are working with your furry friends, keep white vinegar handy. If the four-legged family member has an accident, you can clean and refresh the area by spraying vinegar, which may also deter your new pet from soiling the same area.

Soften Laundry

Are you running low on fabric conditioner? You can substitute a minimal amount of white vinegar instead. Add about 40 milliliters to your washing machine dispenser, and you can enjoy a softer wardrobe. Plus, your clothing won’t smell like vinegar because of the limited measurement.

Renew Dull Faucets

Both dull taps and shower heads alike will look brand new thanks to a vinegar rinse. You already know it is effective in removing limescale, especially when mixed with hot water. Wrap your shower head or other taps in a plastic bag of warm, white vinegar and secure it with a rubber band. Let it soak for an hour before rinsing it clean.

Say Goodbye to Goo

Have you ever seen left-over stickers or pesky glue stuck on things? It can be a pet peeve, to put it mildly. In order to rid your surfaces of this sticky residue, you can dab white vinegar on the spot and let it sit for a minute or two. Afterward, it will be really easy for you to scrape away the excess paper and gunk.

Shine Silver

You can give your silverware and silver jewelry a deep-cleaning treatment at home with vinegar. Pour a half cup of white vinegar into two tablespoons of baking soda. Allow your silver to soak for up to three hours depending on how shiny you want it. Just make sure to rinse everything in cold water after the soaking process.

Unclog Drains

Rather than spending money on harsh chemicals to clear a clogged sink or tub drain, you can create your own at-home remedy using vinegar. Using a funnel, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain followed by one cup of white vinegar. The concoction with make foam, so run hot water until it subsides. Then, flush the drain out with cold water for a few minutes. Not only will it clear your clogged drain, but it will destroy any odor-causing bacteria.