Another 8 Great Uses For Vinegar

In the article called Top 8 Great But Simple Household Uses For Vinegar, we explored only eight of literally hundreds of uses for vinegar. Here are another eight great uses for vinegar. This is a very useful substance to have around the house. It is a reason that we keep more than a full gallon of vinegar at home. We definitely aren’t alone in that.

1.  Egg cleaner and cooking aid

Many people don’t know it, but eggs that are purchased at the store have usually gone through a chemical bath to wash the shell. The residue can remain on the shell. Use vinegar to wipe the shell off, to remove the residue and sanitize the shell. If you have your own chickens, the eggshells can also be quickly cleaned in a bath of water and vinegar.Adding some vinegar to water in a pot will additionally help keep poached eggs together, rather than running all over the place before the whites are cooked enough to solidify. This is an old restaurant trick.

2.  Pruning shears cleaner

Wiping down the pruning shears with vinegar after every use sanitizes them. This prevents fungi, bacteria, and diseases from being transferred from one plant to another. Vinegar can also be used on shovels, hoes, and other similar tools after the dirt has been rinsed off of them. Vinegar also helps to remove plant sap from the tools.

3.  Microwave oven cleaner

In a microwavable bowl, mix 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vinegar. Put this in the microwave and zap it on high for two minutes. Let the bowl stand in the microwave for an additional 15 minutes. Use a washcloth to dip into the vinegar solution to wipe the inside of the microwave. You should be able to clean the microwave easily this way, even if the food has been splattered on and dried.The microwave ends up clean, sanitized and smelling fresh. A bowlful of water and ammonia can do the same thing, but vinegar smells a lot better.

4.  Remove mildew and mold

A 50-50 solution of vinegar and water is an excellent mildew and mold remover. Simply spray it on, let it sit for a minute or two and wipe it off. This greatly simplifies cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, or anywhere else mold and mildew is a problem. It may take more than one treatment if the problem is bad and be sure to dry the surface well. Vinegar kills mold and mildew, including the spores.

5.  Flea repellent

Mix 2 cups of vinegar with 4 cups of water, then apply the solution to your pet’s pelt, using a cloth or clean spray bottle. Fleas detest the smell of vinegar. Cat’s may, too, but working the solution into a dog’s or cat’s pelt, then letting the fur dry without rinsing should discourage fleas. The solution can also be sprayed on the pet’s bedding to repel fleas. Once the vinegar dries, it also leaves the pet smelling fresh.Note: Don’t spray around the mouth, nose, eyes, genitals or any open wounds since acetic acid stings in these places.

6.  Treating toenail fungus and athlete’s foot

Vinegar is anti-fungal. This gives it the ability to fight fungal problems like toenail fungus and athlete’s foot. To get rid of the fungus, soak your feet in a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water for 15 minutes, then dry your feet thoroughly. Repeat the treatment every morning and night for a week or so.Thoroughly drying the feet is important since fungal infections thrive in a moist environment. Incidentally, if at all possible, don’t wear the same pair of shoes, two days in a row. Shoes should be allowed to ‘rest’ for a day, every other day. This should also help with athlete’s foot or even ringworm.

7.  Treating sunburn

This is one issue that few people think of using vinegar on, but vinegar is great for treating sunburns. This is because vinegar moisturizes the skin. Simply put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the affected area every couple of hours, or whenever pain is felt. Just don’t apply it to cuts, open wounds, or near your eyes because vinegar stings in these locations.Note that if there are blisters due to the sunburn, you should seek medical assistance.

8. Hair conditioner and rinse

Vinegar, specifically apple cider vinegar, is excellent as a hair conditioner and rinse. Store-bought conditioners, besides being expensive, are also very harmful to the hair. Vinegar, on the other hand, is natural and works with your hair to clean, restore bounce, and to kill bacteria, all without removing the natural oils that make hair healthy. Simply fill a bottle with cider vinegar and use it when you wash your hair, making sure that you keep the vinegar out of your eyes. A few drops of lemon essential oil can also be added. This increases the health of the scalp. A few drops of rosemary essential oil also can be added, for fragrance and to cause the hair to become thicker in growth.As a last tip, as vinegar dries, the smell of it goes away.

However, if you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can make scented vinegar. To do this, fill a jar half full of orange peels, lavender, rose petals, or put a couple of cinnamon sticks in the jar, then fill the jar with vinegar and cap it. Let the jar sit for about a week, then strain out the solids. You’ll be left with scented vinegar. In fact, this also gives the vinegar the flavor of whatever you use, too.These are only another 8 of hundreds of ways that vinegar can be used around the house. To say that vinegar is useful would be to vastly understate it. Vinegar is also far less expensive for these uses than the alternatives, so it also saves a substantial amount of money. For this reason, many people elect to purchase one or two gallons of vinegar at a time, as we do.