Uses for Vinegar I Easy DIYs I You Deserve Better

Are you like me and buy way too much vinegar which then sits in your cupboard for years?

Before today’s article, the only uses for vinegar that I could think of were for making vinaigrettes and cleaning mirrors.

But as you may already know, the number of household uses for vinegar and recipes are practically endless.

In fact, I just did a quick count of the number of uses I found online and it came to 186… And that was with a minimal amount of research!

Now I know you’re way too busy to dig through all 186 to find the really good ones, so I found the 10 best (and most interesting) ones just for you.

If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, don’t worry, here are ways you can scent your vinegar with essential oils: A Complete Guide to DIY Air Fresheners.

10 Amazing Household Uses for Vinegar

Removing wallpaperUsing a sponge or spray bottle, soak the wallpaper with a solution of equal parts vinegar and hot water. The more saturated you can get the wallpaper, the better. Leave it for a few minutes then start scraping off the wallpaper. For more problematic areas you may need to soak it again. It’s still going to be hard work, but soaking the wallpaper with a vinegar and hot water solution will make it easier.
Dissolve RustSoak your old tools and corroded nuts and bolts in vinegar for a few days. Rinse them with water and watch rust and scale disappear.
Revive paintbrushesSoften your hardened, gunked-up nylon brushes by soaking them in hot vinegar for up to one hour. Do not soak for too long or the bristles may get ruined. Wash in warm soapy water, rinse, and let air dry. Once they’re dry they’ll be ready to go.
Remove mineral deposits from showerheadsRemove the showerhead from the shower. Pour a half cup of warm vinegar into a ziploc bag large enough for the showerhead to fit in. Place the showerhead inside the bag and make sure that the holes are submerged in the vinegar. Seal the bag and let it sit for 1 hour. Rinse and wipe clean.
Make nail polish last longerI’m being serious! Next time you paint your nails, apply a coat of apple cider vinegar to unpainted nails and let it dry completely, then paint your nails as you normally would. According to Stephanie from ladywiththeredrocker.com, this trick works amazingly well. The mildly acidic qualities of vinegar help degrease the surface and allow the paint to adhere better. Note: This trick also works well for galvanized metal and concrete.
Remove decals and stickersDab vinegar onto stubborn price tags and stickers affixed to glass, plastic, or wood. Scrape the surface clean, then rub the area with more vinegar to remove any sticky residue.
Remove excess wax or polishOn wood surfaces and furniture, use a solution of equal parts vinegar and water to remove any excess buildup, wiping along with the grain of the wood. For leather furniture, make a slightly weaker solution — 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar — and wipe using a circular motion.
Whiten GroutTo get grout brighter, scrub it with a hard-bristled toothbrush dipped in vinegar and the grout should whiten before your eyes.CAUTION: Vinegar can harm marble and other natural stone surfaces, so avoid using on these materials. Test a small, unobtrusive area first if you want to be extra careful.
Clean your dishwasherRemove soap scum and any lingering odours from your dishwasher with this trick. Empty your dishwasher of any dishes or utensils. Fill a glass container with one cup of white vinegar and place it on the top rack of your dishwasher. Close the door and run it through a hot water cycle. Once it’s done, the inside of your dishwasher should be grime free.OPTIONAL – After the hot water cycle is finished, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run again on a hot cycle. This should get the interior noticeably brighter and stain-free.
Note: I got this tip is from Bob Vila so it has to work.
Protect your handsCaustic ingredients in concrete, drywall, and other building materials can cause painful skin irritation. If you find yourself handling large amounts of them, rinse your hands with a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water before doing a final rinse. The acid neutralizes the alkaline content of those materials.