18.08.2024

11 Weird and Very Useful Uses for Vinegar

By Lesia

Vinegar is known for having a wide variety of uses, from cooking to cleaning, and it has been around for thousands of years.

In fact, even before 5000 BC, the ancient Babylonians used it as a cleaning agent.

They discovered that it had the ability to slow down or stop the action of bacteria that spoil food, and used it as a preservative.

The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians used it as a preservative as well, and it was even said that Helen of Troy used it to bathe in to help her relax.

The ingredient in this all-natural food that makes it so useful is acetic acid, and it makes up about 5% of the finished product, which is both cheap and versatile.

So versatile, you’ll find it has a virtually endless list of surprising uses, including these.

  1. Remove Stickers:
    Vinegar is an effective solution for removing stickers and adhesive residue, especially from car surfaces. Simply spray a little vinegar on the sticker, wait a few hours, and it will come off effortlessly.
  2. Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture:
    Cats often scratch furniture, but they don’t like the smell of vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water to create a cat repellent spray to keep them away from certain areas.
  3. Natural Baby Wipes:
    Create your own baby wipes using 250ml of boiled water, 120ml of aloe vera juice, 120ml of witch hazel extract, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of castile soap. Cut a roll of paper towel in half, place it in a container, pour the mixture on it and wait for it to absorb.
  4. Add Vinegar to a Hot Bath:
    Vinegar can effectively disinfect the body and help treat conditions like Candida. Its acidic nature helps to remove excess uric acid from the body.
  5. Natural Herbicide:
    The acetic acid in vinegar has herbicidal properties and can effectively kill most unwanted plants. Spray it directly on the plants to eliminate them within a few hours.
  6. Extend the Life of Cut Flowers:
    Lowering the pH level of water with vinegar can extend the life of cut flowers and reduce the presence of microbes. Mix equal parts sugar and white vinegar and add it to the flower water.
  7. Clean Electronics:
    To maintain the functionality of computers, printers and other electronics, white vinegar is an effective cleaning agent. Turn off the device, dampen a cloth with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, wring out well and gently wipe the surfaces.
  8. Clean Blinds:
    Cleaning blinds effectively can be a challenge, but vinegar can help. Wear a cotton glove, dampen your fingers with a solution of warm water and vinegar and run your fingers between the blinds. Rinse your fingers in a container of water between each blind.
  9. Remove Water Marks from Furniture:
    Mix equal parts olive oil and white vinegar, dip a cloth in the solution, wring it out and gently rub to remove water marks from wood.
  10. Remove Stains from Carpets:
    For lighter stains, mix two tablespoons of salt with 120ml of vinegar, rub the stain, let dry, then vacuum. For darker or larger stains, add two tablespoons of borax to the mixture.
  11. Cleaner Laundry:
    Using white vinegar in the laundry helps remove stains, enhance colors and produce a pleasant scent. Replace fabric softener with vinegar for best results.

The versatility of vinegar makes it a valuable asset in any home, offering eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions to a variety of tasks.