The following are some less conventional ways to use vinegar in your household, whether it is to help with the house chores, to help with the whitening of your favorite white china cups or as a home remedy for getting rid of a mouth sore. Vinegar is definitely a much cheaper and natural chemical-free alternative to any of the marketed brands of household detergent, cleaners and heavy duty stain removers.
#1. Vinegar can be used to descale your kettle
If you are a regular tea or coffee drinker no doubt you have come across a kettle that contains lime scale residue at the bottom of the kettle, or sometimes scaling pieces can be seen floating in the water near the heating filament. This is a build up of lime scale and grime from the hard water that has been boiled over the past months. A very easy way to descale your kettle is to soak the bottom of your kettle with one cup of vinegar for a couple of hours. And then to add a cup of water to the vinegar and test the kettle to boil. Once the kettle is boiled you can empty the kettle, rinse it out and all the scaling residue will come loose and be removed, leaving the kettle shiny and new inside!
#2. Vinegar can leave your tile floors shiny and gleaming.
Don’t worry about having to use heavy duty cleaning detergents anymore that are full of harmful and toxic chemicals to your environment, simply just add 2 cups of vinegar to hot water and use this mix to get mopping away. You will notice the stains, dirt and grime on your tiles will literally slide off easily, leaving you with a shiny kitchen or bathroom floor. If you would prefer a better scented solution, you can always add some lemon juice to the mix!
#3. Vinegar can help get rid of that mouth sore or canker
If you have ever had a mouth sore or canker that seems to annoy you when eating, drinking or brushing your teeth – you can use household vinegar as a home remedy. Simply gargle with vinegar mixed with water – say 1/2 cup of vinegar mixed with 1/2 hot water. I know it may not taste too great but this will begin to reduce the inflamed mouth sore or canker on your gum.
#4. Vinegar can be used as a kitchen and bathroom grime cleaner
For those water lines or grime residue that you see in your bathroom sink, cupboard kitchen cupboard handles or in your toilet bowl, there is a very easy solution. Take some vinegar and use it to clean your bathroom sink, bathtub and toilet bowl. You will notice those water lines and grime stains will be gone leaving them looking shiny and new.
#5. Vinegar can steam clean your microwave
To clean your microwave, place a glass bowl filled with a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar in 1 cup water inside, and zap the mixture for five minutes on the highest setting. Once the bowl cools, dip a cloth or sponge into the liquid and use it to wipe away stains and splatters on the interior.
#6. Vinegar can make better boiled eggs
When you are making hard-boiled eggs, adding 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar for every quart (liter) of water will keep the eggs from cracking and make them easier to shell.
#7. Vinegar can control your dandruff
To give your dandruff the brush-off, follow up each shampoo with a rinse of 2 cups apple cider vinegar mixed with 2 cups cold water. You can also fight dandruff by applying 3 tablespoons vinegar onto your hair and massaging into your scalp before you shampoo. Wait a few minutes, then rinse it out and wash as usual.
#8. Vinegar can soak away aching muscles
Got a sore back, a strained tendon in your shoulder or calf, or maybe you’re just feeling generally rundown? Adding 2 cups apple cider vinegar to your bathwater is a great way to soothe away your aches and pains, or to simply to take the edge off a stressful day. Adding a few drops of peppermint oil to your bath can lend an able assist as well.
#9. Vinegar can remove bloodstains
Whether you nick yourself while shaving, or receive an unexpected scratch, it’s important to treat the stains on your clothing as soon as possible; bloodstains are relatively easy to remove before they set but can be nearly impossible to wash out after 24 hours. If you can get to the stain before it sets, treat it by pouring full-strength white vinegar on the spot. Let it soak in for 5-10 minutes, then blot well with a cloth or towel. Repeat if necessary, then wash immediately.
#10. Vinegar can keep cut flowers fresh
Everyone likes to keep cut flowers around as long as possible, and there are several good methods. One way is to mix 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar with the vase water before adding the flowers. Be sure to change the water (with more vinegar and sugar, of course) every few days to enhance your flowers’ longevity.
A more extensive list of 150+ ways to use Vinegar in your household.