Vinegar is in! It is trending.
If you need proof, just google “vinegar stores,” and you will see at least one or two oil & vinegar specialty stores popping up near you. They come with taster rooms, beautiful displays and an array of flavours that will satisfy any palate.
Vinegar is made through the fermentation of ethanol, and its culinary uses have been known for centuries.
Relegating vinegar to salad dressing is no longer your only option.
We bring you some new (and not so new) household uses of vinegar that will make your life easier.
If you find the smell of vinegar too overwhelming, try using essential oils to scent your vinegar and naturally lessen the smell.
1. Removing Wallpaper
Removing wallpaper is hard work, so any help you can get to make it easier is a good idea. Using 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.
2. Dissolve Rust
Do you have old tools hidden away in your garage? Give them a new life with the help of vinegar. Soak your old tools and corroded nuts and bolts in vinegar for a few days. Rinse them with water and watch rust and scale disappear.
3. Revive Paint Brushes
Soften 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.
4. Remove Mineral Deposits From Showerheads
Follow these 5 steps to remove mineral deposits from your showerhead using vinegar.
1. Remove the showerhead from the shower.
2. Pour a half cup of warm vinegar into a resealable bag large enough for the shower head to fit in.
3. Place the showerhead inside the bag and make sure that the holes are submerged in the vinegar.
4. Seal the bag and let it sit for one hour.
5. Rinse and wipe clean.
5. Remove Decals and Stickers
Jars are handy to have around for storing and organizing everything from craft materials to spices. Reusing glass containers also help minimize the amount of plastic we use and leave behind. But jars with ugly price tags and stickers are not exactly what you would want to look at on your pantry. Dab 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.
6. Remove Excess Wax Or Polish
On 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 of 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar, and wipe using a circular motion.
7. Clean Your Dishwasher
You can remove 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.
BONUS TIP
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. You will notice the interior noticeably brighter and stain-free.
Note: We got this tip is from Bob Vila, so it has to work.
8. Protect Your Hands
For all the DIY reno fans, this one is the best for you from uses of vinegar! Caustic 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.
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