30 Useful Ways Vinegar is Amazing
Did you know that vinegar has been used for over 5,000 years? From ancient Babylon to modern kitchens, this humble liquid has played roles as diverse as food preservation, medicine, and cleaning. Today, it’s your secret weapon for everything from skincare to household chores. Let’s dive into 30 incredible uses for vinegar, spanning health, beauty, home, and more. You might never look at your bottle of vinegar the same way again!
For Your Health and Beauty
1. Soothe a Sore Throat
Got a tickle in your throat? Gargle with 1 tsp of vinegar mixed in a glass of water to ease discomfort and help fight bacteria.
2. Fight Dandruff
Banish flakes by rinsing your scalp with a mix of vinegar and 2 cups of warm water after shampooing.
3. Treat Acne Naturally
Ditch harsh toners! Use apple cider vinegar diluted with water (1:8 ratio) as a blemish-fighting toner. Dab on spots for 2 minutes, then rinse.
4. Remove Warts
Combine cider vinegar and glycerin (50/50) and apply daily to warts until they vanish.
5. Calm an Upset Stomach
Ease digestion woes with a simple tonic: 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar mixed with one cup of water.
6. Soften Calloused Feet
Transform your tired feet by soaking them in a 50/50 vinegar and water mix for 30 minutes, then exfoliating with a pumice stone.
7. Freshen Wilted Veggies
Revive your greens! Soak them in 1 tbsp of vinegar and 1 cup of water to perk them up.
For Cleaning and Freshening Your Home
8. Disinfect Wood Cutting Boards
Skip chemical cleaners! A splash of vinegar will sanitize your cutting boards naturally.
9. Deodorize Drains
Pour 1 cup of vinegar down your sink weekly to nix odors and dissolve gunk.
10. Remove Stubborn Carpet Stains
Urine stains, begone! Blot the spot with vinegar, let it sit, and then rinse.
11. Kill Germs Everywhere
Make an all-purpose cleaning spray by mixing vinegar and water (50/50). It’s great for countertops, bathrooms, and more.
12. Prevent Mildew in the Bathroom
Keep your shower mold-free by wiping walls with a vinegar solution after each use.
13. Clean Clogged Showerheads
Attach a ziplock bag filled with vinegar around your showerhead and let it soak overnight. Mineral deposits will vanish.
14. Shine Chrome and Patent Leather
Buff dull chrome or scuffed patent leather with a vinegar-dampened cloth for a like-new gleam.
15. Remove Bumper Stickers
Hate scraping? Cover stickers with a vinegar-soaked cloth for a few minutes, then peel effortlessly.
In the Kitchen
16. Prevent Cracking Boiled Eggs
Add 2 tbsp of vinegar to boiling water to keep egg shells intact.
17. Make Rice Fluffier
Add 1 tsp of vinegar to boiling water for perfectly fluffy grains.
18. Replace Lemon Juice in a Pinch
Substitute 1/4 tsp of vinegar for 1 tsp of lemon juice in recipes.
19. Clean Coffee Makers
Remove mineral buildup by running a vinegar-water cycle through your machine, followed by plain water to rinse.
20. Prolong the Life of Fresh-Cut Flowers
Mix 2 tbsp of vinegar and 3 tbsp of sugar into warm water for a floral preservative.
For Laundry and Fabrics
21. Remove Lingering Laundry Odors
Forget a load in the washer? Add 1 cup of vinegar and rewash to eliminate sour smells.
22. Get Rid of Lint
Pour half a cup of vinegar into the rinse cycle to banish lint and static from clothes.
23. Soften Wool Blankets
Add 2 cups of vinegar to the rinse cycle to make wool blankets softer and fluffier.
For Your Pets and Yard
24. Keep Fleas Off Dogs
Add a splash of vinegar to your dog’s drinking water. The slight scent will repel fleas naturally.
25. Remove Skunk Odor
If your pup gets skunked, rub vinegar into their fur, let it sit briefly, then rinse well.
26. Kill Weeds Naturally
Spray vinegar onto weeds sprouting in driveways or sidewalks for an eco-friendly herbicide.
For Outdoors and Odd Jobs
27. Prevent Car Windows from Frosting
Wipe windows with a 3:1 vinegar-water solution to keep frost at bay overnight.
28. Soften Paintbrushes
Revive hardened bristles by soaking in hot vinegar, then washing with soapy water.
29. Brighten Propane Lantern Wicks
For brighter, longer-burning wicks, soak them in vinegar for 3 hours, then air-dry.
30. De-gunk Fish Tanks
Clean algae and mineral buildup by scrubbing with vinegar (just rinse thoroughly before reassembling!).
Why Vinegar Works: The Science
Vinegar’s versatility lies in its acetic acid content, which ranges from 4-8% in most household varieties. This makes it a natural disinfectant, odor neutralizer, and solvent. Plus, it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and incredibly cheap.
Tips for Using Vinegar Safely
- Always test on small areas for cleaning to avoid potential damage.
- Avoid using vinegar on granite, marble, or other stone surfaces—it can erode the finish.
- Dilute vinegar when applying to skin or hair to prevent irritation.
From polishing chrome to soothing sore throats, vinegar is a powerhouse of practicality. Its versatility, affordability, and eco-friendliness make it a must-have in every household. Whether you’re a natural cleaning enthusiast, a DIY beauty maven, or someone just looking for simple solutions, vinegar might be the answer.
Got a favorite vinegar hack? Share it in the comments below!
I use vinegar and spray my stainless steel pans and use Amway metal cleaner, it takes stains away and makes them shinny. I also spray gnats with it and it kills them. Also spaying a water cooler with vinegar it removes the calcium on the metal sides. When I wash the floor, I use water and vinegar, it cleans it nice.
I use gallon glass bottles for tea, I first soak them in bleach, then I rinse out them spray with vinegar and it keeps the glass bottle clean. I do the same with the coffee pot that I cook the tea in. I also pour vinegar in the coffee maker to clean, then finish it with water.
People are overweight by not eating right for their blood types. O and B blood eat meat, but not eat pork, drink coffee or use wheat flour. A and AB bloods can’t eat meat.
I am blood type O and I have an allergy to meat. Once in a while I eat wild salmon. I eat a lot of raw food and fruits daily. I make sure they are organic or non-GMO. My weight is 110 lbs.
Isabel , I’m also 0 type & I don’t digest meat well so I don’t eat it , I eat a lot of vegetables , fruits & I don’t eat breads or sugar. I have bowel problems , heart burn I find it very hard to loose weight . Do you have any weight loss tips for me ? Thanks barb
Has it got to be cider vinegar? What about skin tags, the plague of our lives?
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for your question. Your choice of white vinegar vs apple cider vinegar, depends on what you are doing. White vinegar is a great choice for any of the cleaning suggestions. Apple cider vinegar is a great choice a lot of cooking/recipes and many home remedies. According to Livestrong, skin tags can be removed through the use of apple cider vinegar. Here is a link to a step-by-step course of action for removing skin tags with it: http://www.livestrong.com/article/305580-how-to-remove-skin-tags-with-vinegar/ Let us know if it works for you! We’d love to hear back from you.
Dab vinegar on sunburned skin to relieve the sting. Also good for jelly-fish stings.
Vinegar on a sunburn works wonders, IMMEDIATE. Relief. Brought up on a farm and we worked bare chested ( I’m a male ) and we probably went through a gallon during harvesting season.
But one thing you forgot to tell them was you can’t drink just the vinegar that we all grew up with that is by the ketchup and mustard at the store. That is poison to the inside of us. The vinegar you need to drink is the Bragg’s brand of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother in it. That will lower your cholesterol, clean out your arteries and control pain and lots of other things. You can get this at health stores and some groceries stores.
Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with “The Mother” is also very effective for gout and bone spurs in the heel of feet. Take 1 teaspoon with honey (if desired) in 8 oz of water 3 times daily.
What’s “the mother” please?
The sediment at bottom of bottle.Shake well before use.
Boil 1/2 Pint Vinegar & add 1 tsp Baking Soda. Pour down Toilet and Drains and see what happens.
great info.
36. Add a teaspoon of vinegar to a quarter glass of water and drink daily to cure arthritis.
Thanks for the vinegar tips. I already use many of them.
Very good suggestions! I disagree with a few, but thats ok!! If you find any other remedies or uses, would you please let me know? Also, vinegar is an excellent meat tenderizer and purifies the fat content in the meat. I sprinkle somewhat generous amounts on chicken, ribs, pork chops and steaks before seasoning and then cooking!!! The taste is undetected, but the results are great. Tender meat without grease or fat! Please try it. Also, if you have tips on ANYTHING ELSE, please let me know! Thank you so much. Sincerely, Francine.
thanks for the info….please post more info..how to use natural products…….thanks god bless…..
On your 35 useful ways to use VINEGAR, U don’t say which kind! In other words, would you use apple cider vinegar to clean the carpet or WHITE vinegar??? That’s only ONE example but I have MANY questions in which to use out of the 35! Thx for your reply.
Hi Kathy, You raise a very good point and that is an excellent question! The simple answer is that which vinegar to use depends on what you are going to do with it. For many recipes and for home remedies for health, you may want to choose cider vinegar. Distilled, or white vinegar, which is produced from the second fermentation of dilute distilled alcohol could be a good choice for any of the cleaning suggestions, such as doing laundry or polishing items. Hope that helps! Have a great day!
Which one do you use to kill grass on the driveway – thanks
I buy a 10% vinegar to use as a weed killer, mix with salt and a few drops of Dawn. Works very well. I buy at the hardware store not the grocery store.
My home is getting infested with ants. Is there a vinegar solution you could recommend?
Hello Whuffo,
Thank you for a great question. Here is a suggested use of vinegar to rid your home of ants: wherever you see the ants, wipe the area down with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Repeat this action several times throughout the day to keep this natural repellant working. This remedy works because ants really dislike the smell of vinegar and the wiping action removes the scent trails that help them get around. For additional natural and science based ways to rid your home of ants, click this link: http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/tp/Get_Rid_of_Ants_Cheaply.htm
Baking sofa is another ant repellent you can even put it right on the ant hills.
I was putting it on the weeds in between the patio stones the other day and boy did they run!
Ants hate cinnamon. They disappear quickly if you put cinnamon powder where they’re congregating
I have been very successful in getting rid of ants. Mix 2tbsb borax—2cups sugar—- 1cup water Boil for 3 min. Store in a glass jar. The ants will take this back to their hills, to the queen and it will kill them all. Be patient as this takes a long time by the time they are eliminated, I put it along the base boards and wherever they frequent. It does harden and you have to ree apply and it is hard to clean up after as it goes hard like concrete, I have used a knife and plain water, it works and it is work.. Good luck! june from Canada
I drink a 1& 1/2 ounce each vinegar and water mix every night before bed time
vinegar relieves stings
relieves the pain of sunburn when used diluted
Have used vinfgar for many of these and at the age of 82 that means a looooonnng time!! LOL
I only wish you had made this where we could have printed it —to share with others who do not own PC.
Thank you for this information–there are a few I have not tried BUT will do so!!
may i add number 36…….for midnight cramps or cramps anytime ….one teaspoon vinegar to glass of water…
Drink pickle juice, doesn’t take much, immediate relief.
i always keep vinegar on hand ….
Thank you
Thanks so very much for tips on using Vinegar,I have used a few but you have given me many more. One question please
for Dentures should I use what vinegar and shou;ld it be diluted if so a 50/50?
As Joe mentioned would it be possible to give tips on other natural ex. Honey or Herbs. Thanks again for a helpful mail.
Hello Goldie,
We’re glad that you have found the tips useful. For cleaning dentures with vinegar, you are correct, the proper mixture is 50/50 water and vinegar. (It is recommended to use white vinegar.)
Thank you for the suggestions on tips for using honey or herbs. We will keep those in mind for future articles. Have a healthy day!
To fight dandruff how much vinegar should be added to the 2 cups of warm water? Thanks in advance.
Hi Marva,
Thank you for sending your concern! You can add as much as a cup of vinegar (Apple cider or White vinegar) with your 2 cups of warm water to treat dandruff. Or, you can start by making your solution a little more diluted, say 1 cup of vinegar to 3 cups water in order for the smell to be tolerable. Let the solution sit for awhile, about a couple of minutes or more, before rinsing it off thoroughly. You may want to repeat this a couple more times to effectively eliminate the cause of your dandruff. Depending on how severe your case is, you can do this once every week or once every two weeks to completely get rid of the problem. Looking forward to hearing more of your progress!
please advice i use dentures i find some red stains as i some times eat pan after dinner how should i clean them thanks i find your colume very interesting and helpful
Hi Vinay,
Thank you for writing in and for sharing your concerns with us! You can mix in a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar and let your dentures sit for at least 8 hours or overnight. Wash or rinse before wearing. Stains will be removed over time but deep stains may need to be brushed off using your denture brush. Hope this helps! Make it a healthy day!
very helpful please advice how to remove stains from dentures
Had acid reflux all my life had a big tummy opp because my asphosis was burnt away been on apple cider vinegar and honey for about two years now no more acid no more pain and I believe there are loads of other things that it is good for too so give it a try
I suffer from gerd would a c v help how do I take it
Hi Patricia,
Thank you for posting! If your GERD is severe and you get frequent episodes, we suggest that you speak with your personal doctor before getting started on the Apple Cider Vinegar. The reason being, while it may be effective for certain type of stomach issues, it may not be a good fit for everyone. By speaking with your doctor, you will not only know how or when to take the ACV but also adjust your portions according to your body’s needs. Hope this helps!
Hi Anita
I have very bad acid reflux-please pm me and let me know how often you take the acv and honey and what sort of ratio of honey to acv?
I have been on medication for this for along time and want to get off it ASAP
Thanks
Baking sofa is great for deterring ants I was putting it on the weeds between the patio stones the other day and boy did they run!! You can even put it directly on the hills.
ACV is good if you have acid reflux. I used to wake up choking not able to get any air down my wind pipe. Thinking I was going to die. After investigation, found I had hiatus hernia and acid reflux causing choking. Now if I have anything with chilli in I sip a mixture of apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed with water up a straw to protect my teeth. No more reflux. Try it. Just about an inch of water and a cap full of vinagar. You only need to take 2 or 3 sips and your done.
I am starting a 20 bursts of Radiotherapy for Cancer in a lymph node in my eostphaegus .
My Oncologist has told me after about two weeks I migh not be able to eat because of a sore throat pain and bad indigestion .He says to have mushy foods at the ready .This will last for about six weeks . He says and that I will b given strong Painkillers . I am now wandering which vinegar I should use and how much ,if I use it with Manuker Honey..Thank You Kathy.
Hi Kath,
Thank you for writing in and for sharing your concerns with us! We suggest that your speak to your personal doctor before getting started with Vinegar and Manuker Honey. The reason being, while there are many benefits to drinking a Vinegar based tonic, it may not be a good fit for everyone. By speaking with your personal doctor, you will not only be advised if the tonic will be safe for you to take but more importantly, be given proper guidance in the dosage or dilution. Hope this helps! Make it a healthy day!
What vinigar to use for dog water
Skin tags.please.
Just read your list of using vinegar around the house, it was very helpful and it works!! Thank you