Search

Important Uses for Distilled Vinegar

Every kind of vinegar has some use to which it is especially suited.  White Vinegar is better than all of the others for cleaning, especially laundry.

Throughout history vinegar has been used for science and industry. Alchemists have prized it for its many important properties, and modern industry uses it in many processes, including the manufacture of plastics.

It should come as no surprise, then, that it can be used in many everyday chores around the house. Its key constituent, acetic acid, makes it useful in cleaning, deodorizing and many other tasks. These are a few of the ways in which it can help you to live a more pleasant life.

 
Household Uses

Aluminum discoloration
The minerals found in foods and water will often leave a dark stain on aluminum utensils. This stain can be removed by boiling a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar per cup of water in the utensil. Utensils may also be boiled in the solution.

Ant deterrent
Ant invasions can sometimes be deterred by washing counter tops, cabinets and floors with distilled vinegar.

Antistatic plastic
Plastic can be cleaned and made anti-static by wiping down with a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar to 1 gallon of water. This will cut down on the plastics' tendency to attract dust.

Bath tub film
Bath tub film can be removed by wiping with vinegar and then with soda. Rinse clean with water.

Blanket renewal
Cotton and wool blankets become soft, fluffy and free of soap odor if 2 cups of distilled vinegar are added to the rinse cycle of the wash.

Bottle cleaning
Unsightly film in small-necked bottles and other containers can be cleaned by pouring vinegar into the bottle and shaking. For tougher stains, add a few tablespoons of rice or sand and shake vigorously. Rinse thoroughly and repeat until clean or determined hopeless.

Brass polish
Brass, copper and pewter will shine if cleaned with the following mixture. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of distilled vinegar and stir in flour until it becomes a paste. Apply paste to the metals and let it stand for about 15 minutes. Then rinse with clean warm water and polish until dry.

Brighten the light
Gasoline and propane lantern mantles last longer and burn brighter on the same amount of fuel if they are soaked for several hours in distilled vinegar and allowed to dry before using.

Carpet renewal
The colors in carpets and rugs will often look like they have taken a new lease on life if they are brushed with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar in a gallon of water.

Carpet stain removal
A mixture of one teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon of distilled vinegar in a pint of lukewarm water will remove non-oily stains from carpets. Apply it to the stain with a soft brush or towel and rub gently. Rinse with a towel moistened with clean water and blot dry. Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone. Then dry quickly, using a fan or hair dryer. This should be done as soon as the stain is discovered.

Catsup stains
Spots caused by catsup can be removed from 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if they are sponged with distilled vinegar within 24 hours and washed immediately.

Chrome and stainless steel polish
Chrome and stainless steel can be polished by wiping with distilled vinegar.

Clean dishwasher
1/2 cup of distilled vinegar added to the rinse cycle of automatic dishwashers will help keep the drain line clean and odorless.

Clogged drain
A clogged drain may sometimes be opened by pouring in a handful of baking soda, followed by a half cup of vinegar,down the drain pipe.

Clothes washing magic
Clothes will rinse better if a cup of white vinegar is added to the last rinse water. The acid in vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics but strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents.

Coffee maker cleaner (automatic)
Vinegar can help to dissolve mineral deposits that collect in automatic drip coffee makers from hard water. Fill the reservoir with vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished. ( Be sure sure to check the owners manual for specific instructions.)

Coffee maker cleaner (percolator)
Stale coffee residue and oils that collect inside a percolator-type coffee maker and cause coffee to taste bitter may be removed by pouring vinegar into a cool unplugged coffee percolator. Soak overnight, rinse thoroughly and wipe with a damp cloth.

Cola stains
Spots caused by cola-based soft drinks can be removed from 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if done so with in 24 hours. To do it, sponge distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots. Then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer's care tag.

Cooking odors
To eliminate unpleasant cooking odors, boil a teaspoon of distilled vinegar in a cup of water.in the room with the unwanted odor.

Cut Flower preserver
Fresh cut flowers can be kept blooming longer by adding two tablespoons of vinegar, plus three tablespoons of sugar to each quart of warm water. The stems must be kept in three to four inches of the nutrient.

Cutting grease
A few teaspoons of distilled or spirit vinegar will help to cut the grease.

Decal removal
Old decals can be easily removed by sponging on distilled vinegar. Allow the vinegar to soak in for a few minutes and then wash off.

Deodorant stains
Deodorant and anti-perspirants stains may be removed from clothing by lightly rubbing with distilled vinegar and laundering as usual.

Deodorizing containers
The odors of the former contents of old jars and other containers may be removed by rinsing them in white vinegar.

Dish washing magic
Chalky deposits are often left on dinnerware washed in dishwashers. To remove the deposits, place the affected pieces in the dishwasher. Put a cup filled with vinegar on the bottom rack and run the machine for five minutes. Stop the machine and refill the cup, whose contents have been replaced with water, with vinegar. Repeat this cycle and follow by a complete cycle with dishwasher detergent.

Doggie did it on the carpet
Test the color fastness of the carpet with vinegar in an inconspicuous place. Then sprinkle distilled vinegar over the fresh doggie accident. Wait a few minutes and sponge from the center outward. Blot up with a dry cloth. This procedure may need to be repeated for stubborn stains.

Dust reducer
Sponging away grease and dirt with a sponge dipped in distilled vinegar will keep exhaust fan grills, air-conditioner blades and grills dust free.

Dyeing mordant
When dyeing fabric, add a cup full of distilled vinegar to the last rinse to set the color.

Electric irons
To remove burn stains from an electric iron, mix 1 part salt with 1 part vinegar and heat in a small aluminum pan. Use this mix to polish the iron as you would silver.

Fish bowl cleaner
Eliminate that ugly deposit in the gold fish tank by rubbing it with a cloth dipped in vinegar and rinsing well.

Fresh bread box
After cleaning the bread box, keep it smelling sweet by wiping it down with a cloth moistened in distilled vinegar.

Fresh lunch box
It is easy to take out the heavy stale smell often found in lunch boxes. Dampen a piece of fresh bread with distilled vinegar and leave it in the lunch box overnight.

Freshen baby clothes
The addition of 1 cup of distilled vinegar to each load of baby clothes during the rinse cycle will naturally break down uric acid and soapy residue leaving the clothes soft and fresh.

Fruit stains
To eliminate fruit stains from your hands, rub your hands with a little distilled vinegar and wipe them with a cloth.

Garbage disposal cleaner
Garbage disposals may be kept clean and odor free with vinegar cubes. Vinegar cubes are made by filling an ice tray with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and enough water to fill the ice tray and freezing it. Run the mixture through the disposal, then flush it with cold water for a minute or so.

Grass killer
Unwanted grass can be eliminated from sidewalks and driveways by pouring distilled vinegar on it.

Hole removal
After a hem or seam is removed, there are often unsightly holes left in the fabric. These holes can be removed by placing a cloth, moistened with distilled vinegar, under the fabric and ironing.

Keeping colors fast
To hold colors in fabrics which tend to run, soak them for a few minutes in distilled vinegar before washing.

Leather cleaning
Leather articles can be cleaned with a mixture of distilled vinegar and linseed oil. Rub the mixture into the leather and then polish with a soft cloth.

Lime fighter
Lime used for gardening can be easily washed off of the hands with vinegar. Follow the washing with a thorough rinsing in cold water and an application of a good skin lotion.

Loosen joints
To loosen old glue around rungs and joints of tables and chairs under repair, apply distilled vinegar with a small oil can.

No-frost windshields
Distilled vinegar will help to keep frost off of the windshields. A solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water wiped on the windshield should do the trick.

Nylon hose preserver
Nylon hose will look better and last longer if 1 tablespoon of vinegar is added to the rinse water when washing.

Onion odor removal
To quickly remove the odor of onions from your hands, rub your hands with distilled vinegar.

Oven grease retardant
Grease buildup in an oven can be prevented by wiping with a cleaning rag that has been moistened in distilled vinegar and water.

Paint brush softener
Soak the paint brush in hot vinegar, then wash out with warm, sudsy water.

Patent leather shiner
Patent leather will shine better if wiped with a soft cloth which has been moisten with distilled vinegar.

Removing smokey odors from clothes
Smoky odors may be removed from clothes by hanging them over a steaming bath to which one cup of distilled vinegar has been added.

Removing stains
A mixture of salt and vinegar will clean coffee and tea stains from chinaware.

Room odors
To remove odors from a room, place a small bowl of distilled vinegar in the warmest corner of the room. Even the odors of fresh paint or stale tobacco may be removed in this manner.

Rust cutter
A rusted or corroded bolt may be loosened by soaking it in distilled vinegar.

Scenting a room
To add a pleasant scent to a room while at the same time removing an unpleasant odor, add cardamom or other fragrant spice to a bowl of distilled vinegar and place in the warmest corner of the room.

Sharp knit fabric creases
To obtain a sharper crease in your knit fabrics, dampen them with a cloth wrung out from a solution of 1/3 distilled vinegar and 2/3 water. Place a brown paper bag over the crease and iron.

Shine stainless steel
Remove those unsightly spots on your stainless steel by rubbing the spots with a cloth that has been dampened with vinegar.

Shining formica counters
Formica tops and counters will shine if cleaned with a cloth soaked in distilled vinegar.

Shining no-wax linoleum
No-wax linoleum will shine better if wiped with a solution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar in 1/2 gallon of water.

Sparkling glassware
One-half cup of distilled vinegar added to a gallon of rinse water will remove soap film from glassware and make it shine.

Sparkling plumbing fixtures
Soap and stain build up can be removed from chrome and plastic fixtures if they are cleaned with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of distilled vinegar.

Stubborn stain of pots'n pans
Soak the pots and pans in full-strength distilled vinegar for 30 minutes, then wash in hot, soapy water.

Suds Killer
Excess laundry suds that develop during hand laundry may be eliminated by splashing a little vinegar into the second rinse. Follow this with another rinse in plain water.

Tea kettle deposits
Over a period of time , depending on the water supply, lime deposits will form in a tea kettle. The deposits may be removed by gently boiling a 1/2 cup of vinegar in the tea pot which has been filled with water.

Toilet bowl cleaner
Stubborn stains can be removed from the toilet by spraying them with vinegar and brushing vigorously. The bowl may be deodorized by adding 3 cups of distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for a half hour, then flush.

Tough stains
Stains on hard-to-clean glass, aluminum, or porcelain utensils may be loosened by boiling in a solution of one part vinegar to eight parts water. The utensils should then be washed in hot soapy water.

Unclog the showerhead
Corrosion may be removed from showerheads or faucets by soaking them in diluted distilled vinegar overnight. This may be easily accomplished by saturating a terry cloth towel in vinegar and wrapping it around the showerhead or faucet.

Varnished wood renewal
Varnished wood often takes on a cloudy appearance. If the cloudiness hasn't gone through to the wood, the cloudiness can be removed by rubbing the wood with a soft lintless cloth wrung out from a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar in a quart of luke-warm water. Complete the job by wiping the surface with a soft dry cloth.

Washing the woodwork
Dirt and grime can be easily removed from woodwork with a solution of 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda in a cup of warm water. This solution will not dull the finish or leave streaks.

Water or alcohol marks on wood
Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placed on wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts of distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.

Window washing magic
Make a solution of 1 part warm water and 1 part distilled vinegar. Wash the windows with this and dry with a soft cloth. This should produce shining, streakless windows. Dried paint on windows is removed with hot vinegar.

Wine stains
Spots caused by wine can be removed from 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if done so within 24 hours. To do it, sponge distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots. Then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer's care tag.

Wood paneling cleaner
Wood paneling may be cleaned with a mixture of 1 ounce of olive oil and 2 ounces of distilled vinegar in 1 quart of warm water. Moisten a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the paneling. The yellowing is then removed by wiping with a soft, dry cloth.