Vinegar is amazing stuff! It’s a natural way to accomplish so many things around the house. One of the miraculous things about it is that a number of your household cleaning, cooking, gardening and health products can be replaced with vinegar.
Vinegar is one of the most under utilized things that you have in your kitchen right now. The most common use if for cooking but it can do so much more. In fact, a gallon jug of white vinegar can literally save you hundreds of dollars.
Check out our list of over 100 things that you can do with vinegar.
Health & Beauty
Bad Breath – to freshen, mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water. Rinse your mouth by swishing it around for a couple of minutes.
Sore throat – from a cold or flu, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup honey. Take 1 tablespoon full every 4-6 hours.
Raw throat – to relieve pain, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle as needed.
Cough – to control, in 1/2 cup warm water add 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 4 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce. Take 1 tablespoon full every 4-6 hours.
Nail polish – to extend wear, wipe nails with white vinegar, allow to dry before you apply nail polish.
Cuticles – to soften, soak fingers or toes for 5 minutes in undiluted white vinegar.
Bug bites – to relieve itching, dab the bite with a cotton ball soaked in vinegar.
Bee stings – to relieve pain and easily remove stinger, pour undiluted vinegar on the area and use a plastic credit card to scrape away the stinger.
Poison ivy – to relieve itching, dab the area with a cotton ball soaked in vinegar.
Athlete’s feet – to clear up and relieve itching, soak feet in undiluted apple cider vinegar for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
Corns and calluses – to remove, soak a piece of bread in vinegar. Attach the bread to the area using medical tape and gauze. Allow it to work it wonders over night. Remove the bread, the area should be soft enough to easily remove the corn or callus. Repeat as needed.
Sore Muscles – to relieve aches and pains, add 3 cups of apple cider vinegar to your bathwater.
Bruises – speed up the healing, soak a piece of gauze in vinegar and apply to area for 1-2 hours.
Cold sores – to sooth the pain and reduce swelling, dab the sore with a cotton ball soaked in vinegar. Repeat every 4-6 hours until gone.
Ear cleaning – mix 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part water. With a Q-tip or soft cloth dipped in the solution wipe out the ears.
Skin toner – to tighten skin, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 2 cups warm water. After washing rinse your face with the solution.
Sunburns – to cool, gently dab burn with a soft cloth soaked in vinegar. You can also add a couple of cups of vinegar to a cool bath.
Age spots – to fade, using a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar apply to the spots for 10-20 minutes 3-4 times per day. Repeat until the spots have faded.
Hair Conditioner – for limp and damaged hair, mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 3 egg whites and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Rub the mixture into your dry hair and cover it for 30 minutes. Shampoo and rinse.
Dandruff – to fight, before you wash your hair massage undiluted white vinegar into your scalp, wait a few minutes. Shampoo and rinse.
Blonde hair – to protect from chlorine, rub 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar onto to hair and allow it to set for 15-20 minutes before swimming.
The Kitchen
Wooden Cutting Boards – to clean, wipe them with undilluted white vinegar after each use.
Cutting boards – to deodorize, sprinkle with baking soda then spray on undilluted white vinegar. Let it foam for 5-10 minutes and rinse with cold water.
China & Crystal – to keep them shining, add 1 cup of white vinegar to your rinse water.
Silver – to shine silver, soak in 1/2 cup white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda for 2-3 hours. Rinse with cold water.
Remove coffee stains (from dishes) – scrub them with equal parts white vinegar and salt. Rinse with warm water.
Teapot – to remove hard water deposits, fill with white vinegar and boil for 15-20 minutes. All the vinegar to remain in the teapot overnight. Rinse with cold water
Grease – to cut grease, wipe the surface with undiluted white vinegar. Rinse with warm water.
Sanitizer – to sanitize, fill bottles, jars or vases with equal parts vinegar and warm, soapy water. Let it stand in for 15-20 minutes. Rinse.
Lunch boxes – to deodorize, soak a piece of bread in vinegar and leave it in the lunch box overnight.
Thermos – to clean, fill with 1/4 cup white vinegar and warm water. Add uncooked rice, replace the lid and shake well. Rinse
Stainless steel cookware – to remove burned on food stains, mix 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water in the pan. Boil for 5-10 minutes. Empty the pan and scrub away the mess.
Stainless steel cookware (tough stains) – soak them in undiluted white vinegar for an hour, rinse and clean with hot soapy water.
Nonstick cookware – to remove stains, rub with undiluted white vinegar, rinse and clean with hot soapy water.
Nonstick cookware (tough stains) – fill pan with 1/2 cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1 cup water. Boil for 10-15 minutes. rinse and clean with hot soapy water.
Broiler pan – to clean, while the pan is hot, apply a mixture of 1 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar. Let the mixture sit on the pan for 1-2 hours. Scrub clean.
Aluminum cookware – to remove stains, mix 1 teaspoon white vinegar with 1 cup water. Cover the stain and boil for 5-10 minutes. Rinse.
Copper cookware – to clean, mix equal parts salt and flour, add enough white vinegar to create a paste. Using a clean rag, rub the paste in a circular motion to clean and polish. Rinse with warm water.
Glass cookware – to remove cooked on stains, fill with 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water, boil slowly for 5-10 minutes. When the mixture cools scrub clean.
Oven – to keep grease from building up, wipe the inside with undiluted white vinegar once a week.
Microwave – to clean and deodorize, mix 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Use the solution to wipe down the inside.
Refrigerator – to clean and deodorize, mix equal parts white vinegar and water and wipe down the inside and out side.
Dishwasher – to remove build up, pour 1 cup undiluted white vinegar in the bottom of an empty dishwasher. Run it through a full cycle without any detergent.
Coffeemaker – to remove build up, fill with 2 cups white vinegar and 1 cup water, run through a brew cycle. Fill with water and run through a brew cycle, then repeat.
Can opener – to clean, use an old toothbrush dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Hold the toothbrush on the blade and turn on the can opener.
Garbage disposal – to deodorize, freeze equal parts white vinegar and water in an ice cube tray. Place a couple of cubes in the disposal and rinse with cold water.
Ice trays – to clean, soak them in undiluted white vinegar for 4-6 hours. Rinse.
Dish soap – to cut grease better, pour 3-4 tablespoons of white vinegar into your dish soap. Shake it up and use as usual.
Frying pans – to keep food from sticking, pour 2 cups white vinegar in the pan and boil for 10 minutes.
Odors – to remove kitchen odors, mix 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a pan, boil until it is almost gone.
Cooking
Corned beef – to keep it from shrinking, add a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the water.
Hard boiled eggs – to make peeling easier add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to 4 cups of water.
Poached eggs – to keep egg whites from spreading, add 1-2 tablespoon of water to the water.
Tenderizing cheap cuts of meat – soak the red meat in red wine vinegar overnight. Rinse and cook as directed.
Produce – to clean, fill your sink with cold water and 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar. Submerge your produce and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Remove, rinse and dry.
Cleaning
Hard water deposits – to remove from dishes, Heat equal parts white vinegar and water in a large pot. Place cloudy dishes in pot and let them soak for 15-30 minutes. Rinse.
Rugs – to bring back the luster, scrub the rug with equal parts white vinegar and water. No need to rinse allow to air dry.
Carpet (light colored) – to remove stains, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 cup white vinegar. Scrub stain with solution, let dry and vacuum.
Carpet (dark colored) – to remove stains, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt and 2 tablespoons Borax in 1 cup white vinegar. Scrub stain with solution, let dry and vacuum.
Carpet (tough stains) – for ground in stains, make a paste using 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Scrub the paste into the stain and let it set for 48 hours then vacuum clean.
Heating and Cooling – to clean fans, vents and grates, wipe them with undiluted white vinegar using a toothbrush for those hard to reach areas.
Blinds – to clean blinds, partially fill a bathtub with hot water pour in 2 cups white vinegar. Place blinds in tub and let soak for 15-30 minutes. Remove and wipe with a clean cloth. rinse and let dry before hanging.
Leather cleaner – mix equal parts white vinegar and boiled linseed oil. Apply evenly using a soft cloth. Allow it to penetrate for a few minutes then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
Musty Odors – to remove musty smells, mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 gallon water. Wipe the area with a clean rag, allow to air dry.
Drain Cleaner – pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup white vinegar into drain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain to remove the grime.
Unclog drains – pour 1/2 cup salt down the drain, followed by 2 cups boiling vinegar. Flush with cold water.
Walls – to remove ink from wall, use undiluted white vinegar on a clean cloth and wipe away. Repeat until gone.
Wood paneling – to breath new life into paneling, mix 4 tablespoons white vinegar and 2 tablespoons olive oil in 1 pint of warm water. Apple to paneling using a soft cloth, let dry and then polish with a dry cloth.
Brickwork – to breath new life into brickwork, mix 1 cup white vinegar in a gallon of water. Scrub the brick with the solution.
Laminate – to clean, mix 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts vinegar and a few drops of dish soap.
Painted surfaces – to clean, mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup baking soda in a 1 gallon of water.
Scratches on wood – to hide the scratches, mix equal parts vinegar and iodine in a small container. Using a small paint brush, paint the scratches away.
Leather – to remove water rings, dab the rings with undiluted white vinegar.
Water rings – to remove, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil, going with the wood grain apply the solution. Use a clean cloth to polish.
Chrome and stainless steel – to clean, spray with undiluted white vinegar and buff with a soft cloth.
Brass and copper – to polish, mix equal parts white vinegar and salt. With a clean cloth, rub the paste onto the item. rinse with cold water and dry.
Piano keys – to clean, mix 1/2 cup vinegar in 2 cups water. dip a clean rag in the solution removing excess liquid. Wipe the keys. Dry with a clean cloth and let it air out for 24 hours.
Filters – to disinfect, soak the filter in equal parts vinegar and warm water for an hour or two. Let dry and then replace.
Sticky residue – to remove a sticky residue from labels, pour undiluted vinegar over the area, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe away.
Wax buildup – to remove, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, using a soft rag dipped in solution apply to the item going with the grain of the wood. Wipe with a dry, clean cloth.
All-purpose cleaner – see recipe.
Kitchen & Bathroom cleaner/disinfectant – see recipe.
Bathroom
Sinks and bathtubs – to clean and shine, scrub them with undiluted white vinegar. Rinse.
Hard water stains – to remove from tubs, pour 3-4 cups white vinegar into a tub filled with hot water. Let it soak for several hours. Scrub away stains and rinse.
Toilet – to disinfect and deodorize, pour 2 cups white vinegar into the bowl and let it soak for several hours. Brush clean and flush.
Tiles – to clean and shine, mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1/4 cup Borax in 1 gallon of warm water. Scrub the tiles with the mixture. Rinse.
Grout – to remove stains, scrub the grout with a toothbrush dipped in undiluted white vinegar.
Showerheads – to remove mineral deposits, remove the shower head and place it into a bucket filled with 1/2 cup white vinegar and 4 cups boiling water. Soak for 15 minutes. Rinse and replace. For shower head that can’t be removed, fill a plastic baggie with vinegar and tape it on the fixture. Let it sit for an hour, remove the baggie and wipe clean.
Shower curtains (plastic) – to remove mildew stains, wash the curtain and a couple of towels with your favorite laundry detergent. Add 1 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Remove the curtain before the spin cycle and hang to dry.
Mold and mildew – to remove and control, mix 3 tablespoons white vinegar with 1 teaspoon Borax and 2 cups hot water. Spray mixture on the surface, let it soak in for 10-15 minutes, scrub with a soft brush and rinse clean.
Laundry
Keep colors from running – soak new clothes in undiluted white vinegar for 10-15 minutes before washing.
New clothes – to remove chemicals and soften, pour 1 cup white vinegar into the wash cycle.
Suede – to remove stains, brush stain with a toothbrush dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Allow to dry and brush away the stain with a suede brush.
Wool – to reshape, boil in 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water for 30 minutes. Lay the item out and reshape. Allow to dry in this position.
Whiten clothes – soak garments overnight in 1 part vinegar and 10 parts warm water. Wash as directed.
Brighten clothes – add 1 cup of white vinegar to the bleach reservoir.
Ring around the collar – to remove, make a paste using 2 parts vinegar and 3 parts baking soda, scrub soiled area with the paste and let it sit for an hour before washing.
Set-in stains – to remove, mix 3 tablespoons white vinegar and 2 tablespoons dish soap in 4 cups warm water. Spray on the stain and rub it into the fabric, wash as directed.
Perspiration stains – pour undiluted white vinegar directly on the stain, scrub into fabric. Wash as directed.
Blood stains – before it sets, pour undiluted white vinegar directly on the stain, let it set for 10-15 minutes then blot with a clean rag. Wash as directed.
Berry stains – to remove from your hands, wash with undiluted white vinegar.
Iron – to clean, fill the reservoir with undiluted white vinegar, and set to steam. Put the iron in an upright position and let it steam for 5-10 minutes. Repeat using clean water.
Wrinkles – to remove, mix 1 part white vinegar with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Mist clothing and hang to dry so that the wrinkles can fall out.
Remove creases – to remove creases from fabric, soak a cloth dipped in equal parts vinegar and water and place it under the item before ironing.
Creating a crease – lightly spray the item with equal parts vinegar and water before ironing. Great way to create pleats.
Crisp creases – dampen item in a mixture of 2 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Place a brown paper bag over the area that you want the crease and iron.
Clean iron – make a paste using equal parts white vinegar and salt. Scrub iron with paste and wipe with a clean cloth.
Scorch marks – to remove, rub the spot with undiluted vinegar. Repeat if necessary.
Cotton stains – to remove, spray the area with undiluted white vinegar and wash immediately. Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the wash cycle.
Ink remover (from fabric) – make a paste using 2 parts vinegar and 3 parts cornstarch. Wet the stain with vinegar and then rub in paste. Allow the paste to dry completely before washing.
Washing machine – to clean and disinfect, fill washer with 4 cups white vinegar and hot water, turn off the machine and let it soak over night. The next day complete the wash cycle. Repeat once a month.
Fabric softener – to make your own, combine 2 cups hair conditioner, 3 cups white vinegar, 6 cups water and 4 drops lavender oil in a large container. Use a 1/2 cup per load.
Diapers – to kill bacteria, add 1 cup white vinegar to the bleach reservoir.
Static – to minimize, add 1 cup white vinegar to the final rinse.
Soap residue – to remove, add 2 cups white vinegar to the final rinse.
Outdoors
Wood deck and furniture – to clean, mix 1-gallon of water, 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda. Wipe down the decks and and furniture. rinse.
Bird poopie – to clean, spray with undiluted apple cider vinegar, let it sit a few minutes and hose the mess away.
Garden
Gardens – to eliminate insects, pour 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 cup sugar, 1 banana peel (cut up) and 1 cup water into a container (2-liter soda bottle). Mix it well and place it around your garden. Replace as needed.
Animals – to keep them out of your garden, soak rags in undiluted white vinegar. Tie the rags on stakes and position them around your garden. Repeat once a week.
Fresh flowers – to keep them fresh longer, mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar into a vase filled with water. Replace water every few days remembering to add the vinegar and sugar.
Gardenias and Azaleas – to produce more flowers, water weekly with 1 gallon water mixed with 3 tablespoons vinegar. Don’t use the mixture when the flowers are in bloom.
Weed killer – to kill dandelions and unwanted grass, spray them with undiluted vinegar. If it rains you’ll need to repeat.
Lawn mower – to clean blades, wipe with a rag dipped in undiluted white vinegar
Germination – to speed up the process for herb and vegetable seeds, soak them overnight in a mixture of a 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 cups water. Remove the seeds, rinse and plant.
Plant diseases – to treat mildew, rust and black spots, mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in 8 cups water. Spray on infected plants in the morning and evening until the disease is gone.
Soil test (Alkalinity) – to check levels, place a handful of dirt in a bowl and add 1/2 cup white vinegar. If the soil bubbles or fizzes it is high in alkaline.
Bugs
Fruit Flies – to trap, fill an old mason jar about 1/2 full of apple cider vinegar. Poke holes in the lid and place it in the area where there are fruit flies.
Bug-b-gone – to keep flying bugs away, place an peeled apple in a bowl of apple cider vinegar and position it about 5-6 feet away from guests.
Fleas and ticks – to protect pets, spray them with equal parts white vinegar and water. Rub it in.
Ants – to exterminate, mix equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Spray around the areas where you find ants.
The Car
Frost-free windows – to keep frost from forming, mix 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water and wipe the windows with the solution.
Windshield Wipers – to clean, wipe the blades with undiluted white vinegar.
Carpet (cars) – to clean ground in dirt, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, scrub the mixture into the stain, let it sit for a few minutes then blot with a clean cloth.
Bumper stickers – to remove, with undiluted white vinegar saturate the sticker, let it sit for up to 30 minutes, then scrape it off. Use more vinegar to remove any remaining residue.
Tools
Scissors – to clean, wipe the blades with a cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar, dry.
Rust – to remove, soak rusted item in undiluted white vinegar for several days. Remove and dry.
Miscellaneous
Skunk odor – bathe in a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda,a few drops of dish soap and a quart of peroxide. Soak for several minutes, then rinse with clean water. Soak clothes in vinegar overnight then wash as directed.
Wallpaper remover – saturate wallpaper with equal parts vinegar and water and wait a few minutes for it to work its magic. Scrap off wallpaper using a scraper.
Eyeglass cleaner – apply a couple of drops of white vinegar to the lenses, wipe with a soft cloth. Don’t use on plastic lenses.
Salt residue – to remove, wipe stain with a rag dipped in undiluted white vinegar.
Price tags – to remove, saturate with undiluted vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes and then scrape it off.
Paint fumes – to remove the fumes in a freshly painted room, place a bowl or two filled with vinegar in the room.
Paint brushes – to remove dried paint, soak brushes in undiluted white vinegar until the paint dissolves. Wash with hot, soapy water.
Paint brushes – to give them new life, boil the brushes for 15 minutes in 1-2 cups of white vinegar. Wash with soapy water.
Remove candle wax – soften the wax with a blow dryer, blot up as much as you can using a rag. Use a clean cloth soaked in equal parts white vinegar and water and wipe away the remaining wax.
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Cream of Tartar Uses
Rubbing Alcohol Uses
Witch Hazel Uses
Vicks VapoRub Uses
About the Author 
Robin
A mother to three amazing boy, wife to an incredible husband and a former finance manager who traded in her spreadsheets for cookie sheets. I blog about things that make life a little more fun, a bit more manageable, slightly prettier, a great deal tastier and considerably cheaper.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a commission. I only recommend products or services that I personally believe will add value to my readers. All opinions stated are strictly my own. Read our full disclosure policy for more information.
Categories
Frugal WWII Living Space Cleaning Space Health Space Gardening
updated: 4/9/19
Wow! What a list! It's awesome. Thanks!
Oh my goodness! I never knew how useful vinegar is! Thanks for compiling this list.
This blog has some interesting information……..Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
I just came from 'All My Bloggy Friends' at Love Bakes Good Cakes. This list is a WOW! Some things I already knew but it's so great to know there are so many other uses and we can eliminate some harmful/toxic commercial products.
Thanks for sharing
Oh my gosh! I knew it was used for a lot of things but not this many. lol Thanks so much for joining us at Transformed Tuesday. I'm loving these tips.
Hugs,
Peggy~PJH Designs
This is so interesting; vinegar is really the all-purpose solution. I didn't know you could mix it in a solution to take for a sore throat. Will have to try that the next time we come down with a cold. Thanks so much for linking up to Inspire Me Wednesday!
Vinegar is amazing! There are so many good suggestions on this list, thank you for linking up to Pretty Things this week at twelveOeight! Hope to see you again tomorrow night for another great party 🙂
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Wow! What a comprehensive collection of tips! I use vinegar for a lot of things, but obviously there are some uses I've never heard! Thanks so much for linking on Busy Monday!
This is fantastic!!! I am pinning this…and Printing!!! Thanks for putting this together!
Oh this is so handy, thanks. Linking up Follow Friend Friday. Stop by fairiesmarket.blogspot.com
Great list! Thanks so much for linking up to All My Bloggy Friends!
I knew vinegar was awesome, but this is way beyond my imagination. Thanks for taking time to compile all this together and for sharing it with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I think we all should have a large jug of vinegar to use in our household cleaning, especially in doing spring cleaning! Great post! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
Great list! Thanks for sharing this at my Pin Me Party!
Does the Vinegar and/or Lemon juice take out the color on color treated hair?
That is a wonderful list! Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing natural cure for many skin infections which require antibiotics treatment.
I once heard if half part water added to vinegar and left overnight you have double the amount next day. Is this possible?
I've never heard that – definitely worth looking into though!
True stories: I’ve gotten apple cider vinegar to work on warts. I had one frozen off twice by a doctor. It would not go away. I kept applying apple cider vinegar, and after a few months it went away. I also put it on head cysts (that are genetic). Same thing, a lot of applying, but they did go away. Key on that, is just to get it soon after you get it. Don’t wait until it gets bigger. I apply it with a q-tip.
Congratulations! Your post was my Most Clicked at #OverTheMoon this week. Visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please be sure to leave your link number or post title so we can be sure to visit!
Wow, I use vinegar in the wash and for cleaning, but I never knew there we so many other uses for it. Pinned.
Thank you so much for sharing this post with the Hearth and Soul Link Party, Robin. There are so many great ideas, I’m featuring it at the party this week! I hope you will join us. Thank you again for being a part of the Hearth and Soul community!