Using Vinegar on Your Hardwood Floors

It’s always best to purchase and use the right cleaning products for your hardwood floors; if you’ve safely used a DIY vinegar-based solution already, then your surfaces should be fine if it was heavily diluted with water.

Using Vinegar on Your Hardwood Floors | Shutterstock Photo by Artazum — Shutterstock Photo by Artazum

Still, though, you should stay away from using any kind of vinegar as a cleaning solution for your hardwood floors altogether. Why? Because the acid in the vinegar might damage the wood or the chemical varnish on them.

Vinegar to Clean Water Stains

Vinegar has often been praised as a miracle substance, capable of cleaning tiles, washing dogs, killing unwanted weeds, and extending the life of cut flowers. So it should come as no wonder that vinegar can help clean water stains from car bodies and glass.

White vinegar is mildly acidic, making it an effective rival to alkaline deposits. All you need is white vinegar, distilled water, a clean bowl, a spray bottle, a cotton towel, and paper towels.

Unclog Your Sink

Need a quick fix for a clogged drain in your sink? This mixture reminds us of volcano experiments we had to do in school because the main ingredients are baking soda and vinegar.

Use one part baking soda and one part vinegar to make a powerful concoction that will unclog even the most stubborn of sinks. Leave the mixture in the sink and watch it clear up in a few minutes. This mixture works when a plunger has already been used and the attempt to unclog a sink has been futile.

Boil Eggs Better

If your eggs split when your boil them you might want to try this hack. By pouring two teaspoons of vinegar into a pan with four cups of water, you can salvage that split egg as the vinegar stops the white from leaking out – which means you'll end up with a perfectly boiled egg.

It's a simple trick that doesn't require much effort and it truly works!

Fruit Stains

If your hands are left with orange and pink stains after preparing fruits and vegetables, vinegar can assist. Just wash your hands with some vinegar and water and voila!

Vinegar can also be used to help remove fruit stains from clothes. Add one tablespoon of vinegar for each cup of water and half a teaspoon of detergent, and leave your garment to soak before you put it in the machine.

Unclog Your Iron

Mineral deposits can easily leave residue in irons. But there's good news! Vinegar and its ability to dissolve mineral deposits mean that your iron will be working smoothly again soon. First, pour equal parts of water and white vinegar into the iron's water reservoir.

Leave your iron in an upright position and turn on the iron’s steam function for a few minutes while it does its thing. Once finished, allow it to cool before pouring the liquid along with the dissolved minerals away.

Sanitize Your Cutting Boards

As much as you like to use vinegar around your kitchen, you probably aren't using it to its potential. Vinegar contains a really helpful ingredient called acetic acid, which can kill harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli.

This means it’s ideal for cleaning your kitchen staples, like cutting boards and surfaces! All you need to do is spray pure, unadulterated white vinegar onto your board, let it sit for a little while, then rinse away.

Refresh Your Fridge

Nobody likes a smelly fridge, except maybe your dog but that's just because they like smelly things. To help your fridge from getting unbearable you can use white vinegar as it's safe for cleaning food.

Simply mix the good stuff with equal parts of water and use this to wash your fridge.

Neutralize Kitchen Odors

Certain kitchen odors linger far longer than you like after cooking. But you don’t have to deal with that for much longer!

To freshen up your kitchen in a jiffy, add half a cup of white vinegar and one cup of water to a saucepan and boil until most of the liquid had bubbled away. The mixture will work as a deodorant and neutralize the entire room as it boils.

Purify Pantry Bugs

Vinegar can get rid of those annoying pests that love to live in your pantry. To help them leave, just add one and a half cups of apple cider vinegar to a bowl and place it inside the infested cupboard for a few days.

This mixture will bait bugs and drown them. Once you are happy with the results, you can clean your shelves thoroughly and discard any wheat and grain products.

Treat Pet Stains

Life is full of little surprises, isn't it? But not all surprises are created equal and little accidents in the form of carpet stains are all part of living with pets! Fortunately, vinegar can do well to clean up pee stains.

Just blot up most of the liquid with paper towels before washing the stain with a mixture of water and white vinegar. Leave the patch for at least 10 minutes before blotting like before. Once the patch is almost dry, just pour baking soda onto it and vacuum that up an hour later.

Hair Clarifier

We all hate having bad hair days, and vinegar gets this. If your hair is feeling extra greasy and dull then there's an easy DIY solution perfect for you. All you need to do is mix a couple of spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar into a cup of water to create this awesome hair rinse.

Pouring this through your hair will clarify your hair and help remove soap grime, and it’ll also leave your locks looking shiny and soft. The best part is that you won't be using any harmful ingredients or artificial chemicals.

Clean Sticky Utensils

You might be tempted to clean your sticky knives and scissors along with your other dishes, but we have to stop you right there!

Sticky residue doesn't come out that well with just water and dishwashing soap, instead, gently swab the edges and wipe them clean with white vinegar before drying them with a clean towel.

Remove Stubborn Stickers

Whether you want to remove stickers from your bumper or a jar, you can easily do so by dousing it with vinegar to separate it and melt away the adhesive beneath.

If this is specifically for your vehicle, you should test the vinegar on a hidden part of the car to check that it won’t damage the paint.

Remove Water Stains

Annoying watermarks can wreck the look of wooden furniture, we've all done it and we'll probably do it again. But don’t fret just yet if you forgot to use a coaster under your glass!

As mentioned by the popular magazine Reader's Digest, all you need to do to get rid of unsightly water rings is to rub them with a mixture that's equal parts olive oil and vinegar.

Soften Paintbrushes

Those familiar with paintbrushes will know just how stiff they tend to get. If they're not as soft anymore they can quickly ravage your artwork.

So before your inspiration dims, let your hard brushes soak in some white vinegar until they soften. Once they're done, follow up with a rinse

Unclog Shower Heads

Mineral deposits can often build up and accumulate inside showerheads. But we have a nifty trick for you to try, with only a cup full of trusty vinegar.

All you need to do is fasten a Ziploc bag of vinegar around the showerhead. Make sure the bag covers the showerhead and let it soak overnight. The very next day, you can remove the bag and turn on the water to rinse.

Get Tough on Sweat Stains

No matter how much we try to resist, there's just no way to get around the sad fact that we're gonna sweat through our clothes during the hot days of summer.

But that doesn't mean we have to parade those shameful yellow pit stains for everyone to see. Vinegar can help to get rid of them from our clothes for good. Just rub the affected area with vinegar before washing your garment as usual.

Fluff Up Your Towels

After using towels for a while, they start to lose that soft and plushy appearance. But there's good news, towels can get their act together again with a little vinegar that will help refresh their absorbency.

Just wash them with half a cup of vinegar included in their usual cycle. The vinegar will revitalize your towels, making them feel softer and fluffier than before.

DIY Foot Spa

If one of your goals this year is to devote more time to your self-care routine, it’s important to create spa-worthy moments for yourself at home. To do this you can start with a foot spa treatment by soaking your feet in a liquid that helps clear away dead skin.

All you need is warm water, vinegar, and a bit of mouthwash. Now you're ready to soak your feet for approximately 15 minutes. Be sure to scrub off all the dead skin and your feet will look like they've been treated at a salon.

Wash Fruit to Preserve It Longer

Whenever you bring home your groceries from the store, you can do this trick to help preserve your fruits and veggies for longer.

Just fill your sink with water and half a cup of vinegar and let your fresh produce sit as the vinegar clears off any unwanted substances. This will also keep your fruits and veggies fresher for longer and all you have to do once they're done is rinse it all and store as usual.

Clean Burnt Pots and Pans

Even the most seasoned and experienced culinarians burn their cooking pots and pans every once in a while, so why wouldn't we as amateur cooks also struggle with the same problem? Fortunately, there's an easy solution for us all.

Just add one cup of vinegar with one cup of hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda to the pan and let it sit for a few minutes. Once it's ready, you can clean the pan with a scouring sponge, and soon enough, your pan will be as it was before.

Freshen Up Your Yoga Mat

Vinegar is an amazing liquid. It can clear your drain and even unclog your showerhead and now it can even freshen up your yoga mat.

To keep your yoga mat from smelling like your stinky feet, you can spray it with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Wipe off any residue with a towel and you are good to get your downward dog back on track.

Make Your Pancakes Fluffier

You'll be amazed by how versatile vinegar is — we know we are! This time it's here to make your pancakes even better, not that we thought that was possible.

This tip is for all aspiring bakers out there who want to make their pancakes even fluffier. Simply add 4 teaspoons of white vinegar to your pancake batter. Vinegar is a leveling agent which is why it works to make your pancakes rise.

Tenderize Meat

Would you believe us if we told you that vinegar can make your meat so tender that it will fall right off the bone? This cheap kitchen staple just needs to be added to your cooking liquids and will work just as well as any marinade.

You can also leave your meats to soak in a vinegar mixture for an hour or two before cooking. Just like that, you'll be cooking like a professional chef!

Block That Bleach

If a hack tells you to use bleach on any type of eating surface or appliance you should know it's never a good idea. And yes, this does include the inside of your appliances, like your coffee maker—the surface is a different story; you can freely use a mild bleach-and-water solution to make the outside sparkle and shine.

Never use bleach to clean the brewing device of a coffeemaker. Rather, you can run white household vinegar through the brew cycle to clean out lime-water buildup. Then run through a few cycles of water to eliminate any residual vinegar before you brew coffee again.

Get Rid of Pesky Weeds

Vinegar is acetic acid, which means it can be used as a natural option for weedkillers when it comes to clearing away those unwanted weeds.

You only need to spray the liquid directly onto the pesky plants, but be careful around any vegetation and greenery you want to keep. For a more potent solution that will tackle more stubborn weeds, add some salt to the vinegar before you apply it.

Combine Vinegar With Essential Oils

Essential oils have recently been enjoying great PR. Their popularity is due to their natural sources and there are more and more companies and individuals who find new and useful means to incorporate them into their everyday products and lives. One way is to use them in the cleaning of our homes and living areas.

The most beneficial aspect of vinegar is that it's natural, not harsh like man-made chemicals, and has much fewer side effects. By combining vinegar with essential oils you open up a whole new world with a more natural method of cleaning.

A Secret Weapon for Streaks

It is very satisfying to clean a kitchen, especially when you see the transition of the countertop from a mess to a clean, shiny surface. What can be frustrating is the streaks that are left behind.

Mix a bit of cold water with some vinegar in a bowl and pour it into a spray bottle (If you don't have one to spare, use a damp cloth), and give your countertop a final wipe down. Rinse all the ammonia-based products out of the cloth before using.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar as Deodorant

Apple Cider Vinegar is great for killing yeast and bacteria, which may be why so many are touting its benefits as a deodorant.

Using ACV may help against strong odor, but you'll have to constantly apply it as it doesn't stop sweating.

Scented All-Purpose Cleaner

Common household ingredients for cooking like vinegar and salt can clean your house even better than store-bought cleaners. Before you start, here's an important tip: do not combine chlorine-containing products with ammonia-based cleaners because it will cause a chemical reaction that will create hazardous fumes.

All you need for this cleaner is some lemon rind, rosemary sprigs, one part white vinegar, one part water, and a tablespoon of salt. This solution can remove water strains, wall smudges, clean trash cans, and the list goes on. The lemon's acidity will add extra cleaning strength that can remove even the most stubborn stains.

Glass Cleaner

To clean the windows of your cars, or even your home you'll need 2 cups of water, half a cup white or cider vinegar 1/4 cup sea salt, and a few drops of orange essential oil for a citrusy fragrance.

Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle. Spray the solution on a paper towel or cloth, and wipe your windows clean. Don't do it on a hot sunny day because the mixture could dry too fast, causing the appearance of unaesthetic streaks across the see-through glass.

Vinegar Prevents Colors from Bleeding in Wash

There's nothing more adult than enjoying a freshly washed load of laundry, especially when your clothes happen to stay brightly colored. Back in the day, we might've used vinegar to prevent the colors from bleeding during washes.

Not only will it make your washing liquid more effective but it will also keep the colors on your clothes more intact.

Brass Cleaner

Cleaning brass doesn't have to be the chore you think it is. With some vinegar and a smidgen of salt, you're already halfway there! Now all you need is a tenacious will to clean and you're ready to get started.

Dampen a sponge using white vinegar with some salt sprinkled on top as you lightly rub the surface of non-lacquered cabinet pulls. Thoroughly rinse with water and dry with a clean, soft cloth immediately.

Remove Mildew From Your Walls

Besides just making you feel overwhelmed, getting mildew on your walls or in your clothes is tricky to get rid of. One of the best home remedies you can use to get rid of mold is this solution made of water, sea salt, and white vinegar.

Soak your clothes or scrub your walls with a brush and this mixture to thoroughly disinfect and remove any moldy residue.

Perfectly Poached Eggs

Adding too much salt or not using any salt at all can spoil your eggs. But poaching them can be extra tricky. Here's a secret that restaurants use to keep their eggs intact while poaching them.

Sprinkle half a teaspoon of salt over the boiling water along with some vinegar, right before gently dropping in your eggs.

Easily Clean Your Microwave

When you cook things like soup in the microwave, splatters can leave the inside looking more than a little messy. To clean it without much scrubbing, just nuke your microwave with a bowl full of vinegar, then wipe down the inside with a wet sponge!

This is definitely going to be a lot of help for any microwave owner because cleaning it thoroughly can be quite difficult. Plus, many of us live with people who don’t clean up after themselves properly, so the grime and grease can build up, get dry and become hard to clean. No longer!

Use Vinegar to Clean and Avoid Salt Buildup

If you live in a place where there is constant salt accumulation on the roads because of snow, this can be very damaging for your car’s bodywork in the long run. And by damaging we mean it’ll slowly melt away your car from underneath, so this is something you should stay on top of.

To avoid this, next time it snows, mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the bottom part of your car with it. This will help melt the salt right off.

Get Streak-Free Windows With Alcohol and Vinegar

You can create your own super effective cleaning liquid by mixing alcohol and vinegar with water in a 1.25 to 1 and 1.5 to 1 ratio respectively.

This easily gives you a miracle cleaning solution for your glass and windows! If there are highly resistant spots, just try rubbing hard on them with a cloth dipped in undiluted vinegar.

Clean Windows With White Vinegar

When cleaning windows, we recommend using a solution of white vinegar in a spray bottle.

You can achieve spotless windows if you wipe this off with a newspaper rather than using a towel. This helps avoid lint residue. Hooray for better visibility!

Keep Leather Upholstery Fresh With Vinegar and Linseed Oil

If you wish to keep your vehicle’s upholstery spotless and in good condition, make sure you regularly wipe down your leather seats with a solution of linseed oil and vinegar.

This should keep your seats looking as good as new and the leather in mint condition!

Keep Your Shower Clean

Fill a dishwashing wand with equal parts detergent and vinegar and keep it in the shower. You can easily clean your tiles whenever you want.

Even if your shower is perfectly fine at the moment (heck, even if you just recently cleaned it), this would still be a great thing to keep around. You’re not going to want to wait until your shower starts looking gross to clean it up!

A Home Remedy for Minor Burns

Even minor burns can be scary and painful. If your child suffers a small burn that doesn’t need medical attention, you can make them feel better with this home remedy.

Soak a facecloth or paper towel in vinegar and place it on the burn. Not only will it cool things off and lessen the pain, but it will also help keep the skin from forming blisters.

Cleaning Dirty Drains

A clean drainage system is essential to avoid plumbing disasters. And a clogged drain can not only create major problems, but it can also be very smelly.

But don’t call the plumber just yet. Create a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. After mixing the three together, pour the mixture down the clogged drain. Within 10 minutes, the drain should be cleared.

Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are a great kitchen tool, but they can stink from waste build-up. Once again, however, vinegar can save the day.

To eradicate smells coming from your garbage disposal, run hot water down the drain for a minute, and pour a 1/4 cup of baking soda into the drain. Then, run the disposal as usual. Wait for 10 minutes and pour one cup of vinegar down the drain. When you begin to see bubbles, you can rinse again with hot water, which should eliminate the smell.

Clean Your Toothbrush

Although we use our toothbrushes to clean our teeth, it’s important to sanitize the toothbrush itself too. Every day, toothbrushes encounter a lot of bacteria inside your mouth, which means they need to be disinfected.

Luckily, using baking soda can help keep germs at bay. Simply mix water, vinegar, and baking soda and allow your toothbrush to soak for 30 minutes. When the soaking time is over, wash the brush with some warm water.

Vinegar as Toner

If you're "too clever" to buy toner for your skin, then you might want to add vinegar to your skincare routine.

To safely use vinegar on your skin, mix equal parts of water with vinegar and keep in a bottle to easily pour onto a cotton pad and lightly compress onto your skin. Be sure to follow with a moisturizer for optimal results.

Keep Cats Away

If your cats are scratching your sofas or sitting on your kitchen counters, there's a simple way to keep them away and all it requires is some vinegar.

Cats don't like the acidic smell of vinegar so just keep a spray bottle with vinegar and water around and sprinkle on areas you don't want the cat walking, sleeping, or scratching.

Soothe a Sore Throat

Sore throat symptoms can be rough. Your saliva goes down like sandpaper, every cough makes you wince, and the only thing you can think about is making that lump in the back of your throat go away.

Pour a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and gargle for a minute. Once you're done, then spit it out and rinse your mouth with water. Repeat if necessary. The relief should be immediate.