10 Surprising Uses for Vinegar

Vinegar might just be the holy grail of cleaning products. After all, the all-natural liquid has basically one million uses and can replace virtually every one of those commercial, chemical-laden cleaners under your sink. So, grab that bottle of vinegar and read on for 10 surprising uses for vinegar.

1. Nix tupperware odors.

Does your tupperware hold onto odors of meals despite countless cycles through the dishwasher? Vinegar can help! To remove odors from tupperware and other types of food containers, wipe down the containers with a cloth and white vinegar and rinse with warm water.

2. Remove carpet stains.

When combined with baking soda, white vinegar creates an inexpensive, stain-fighting paste. If you have stubborn carpet stains, combine two tablespoons of white vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda. Rub the paste into the stain and let dry. From here, vacuum the residue and bask in the satisfaction of a stainless carpet.

3. Bring your paint brushes back to life.

If you have dried paint covering your paint brushes, don’t toss them just yet. Fill a pot with white vinegar and allow the paint brushes to soak for an hour. After an hour, bring the vinegar to a simmer and let sit for an additional five minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, drain and rinse your paint brushes and voila! You’ll be ready to paint another masterpiece with your like-new paint brushes.

4. Perk up droopy flowers.

Cut flowers starting to wilt? Don’t throw them out! Combine two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar with a quart of water. Pour the mixture into your vase and watch your flowers come back to life.

5. Calm itching from mosquito bites.

It’s summer. In Florida. That means one things: mosquitos. Let’s face it — few things are more annoying than incessantly scratching at an itchy mosquito bite. Fortunately, white vinegar can help stop mosquito-induced itchiness! Simply dab vinegar on a mosquito bite, which will work to stop the itch and disinfect the area.

6. Make your manicure last longer.

Having manicured nails is fun, but spending your precious time tending to your nails only to have your polish chip the first day is not. Fortunately, white vinegar serves its purpose here too! Before painting your nails, wipe your nail with a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar. The vinegar helps create a cleaner surface, meaning your nail polish with last longer.

7. Give your fruits and veggies a bath.

Simply washing your produce in water alone isn’t always enough to get them clean. Combine white vinegar and water in a large bowl and basin and let your fruits and veggies soak. This will get any gross germs, pesticides and the like off before you eat them.

8. Make your hair shine.

Have pesky product buildup in your hair? Next time you shower, rinse your hair with a tablespoon of vinegar. Make a habit of doing this once a month and you’ll remove buildup and leave your hair extra shiny.

9. Improve your showerhead pressure.

If your showerhead is clogged with mineral deposits, let it soak in diluted white vinegar for 20 minutes. This will work to remove any mineral buildup and restore your water pressure.

10. Unclog your air conditioner’s drain line.

The drain line in your air conditioner is responsible for draining condensation from inside of your system to the outdoors, but the drain line can become clogged over time. Fortunately, removing a clog in the drain line takes just a few minutes and little help from a homemade vinegar solution.

Learn More Helpful Home Hacks at Energy Air

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