Vinegar is one of the most underappreciated and underutilized products in our home. It’s cheap, chemical free and endlessly versatile. We might use it every once in a while when it’s needed in a recipe, but more than likely, we all have a bottle sitting somewhere in our kitchen cupboard that’s leftover from dying eggs at Easter.
Grab that vinegar and put to use! There are literally hundreds of different ways that vinegar can be used around the home. Whether it’s in the kitchen, in the bathroom or even outside, vinegar can tackle a number of tasks and is a must-have for any homeowner.
Insect Trap
Apple cider vinegar makes for an effective insect trap that can be used indoors or outdoors. In a closed container, combine a cup of apple cider vinegar with a cup of water and add a couple slices of an apple or a banana. Then, poke holes in the top of the container to let the smell of your vinegar cocktail attract nearby insects. Mosquitos, fruit flies and other pests will pick up the scent and fly into the container, only to meet their demise as they take a drink of vinegar. Use these traps in your garden, on your deck, in your kitchen or anywhere you’d like to get rid of obnoxious, summer pests.
Wash Your Dishwasher!
Vinegar has excellent cleaning and odor eliminating properties. For that reason, it’s an extremely useful tool in the kitchen. One of our favorite uses for vinegar is cleaning out the dishwasher. Food can often get stuck in the crevasses of our dishwashers and sit for long periods of time. If you’ve ever opened your dishwasher to be greeted with an unpleasant odor, you can bet there was a chunk of food stuck in there somewhere. Eliminate unpleasant odors and get rid of food particles by adding a cup of vinegar to the bottom of your dishwasher while it sits empty. Then, run a cycle to let the vinegar combine with the hot water and restore your dishwasher. This will eliminate odors and waste as well as help your dishwasher run more efficiently. Repeat once per month for best results.
Get Rid of Carpet Stains
Got a pesky stain in your carpet that just won’t seem to go away? Vinegar can help do the trick. Liberally spread some baking soda over the stain you’d like to eliminate. Then, combine equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the baking soda with your vinegar/water mixture until the powder becomes damp. Let this sit for a few hours before scrubbing the baking soda away with a stiff bristled brush or broom. Finally, vacuum the area to reveal your new, stain-free carpeting. This also works well on carpeting that has any unpleasant odor due to pet accidents.
Unclog Slow Moving Drains
Another great use for the vinegar & baking soda combo is unclogging drains. If you’ve got a clog or notice the water is draining more slowly than normal, clean out your sink and dump a half cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow this with a cup of vinegar. You’ll notice a good amount of foaming and bubbling coming from your sink once the two are combined. Once the bubbling stops, flush the drain with hot water to remove the blockage. This method of clog removal is non-toxic and less harmful to your pipes than chemical cleaners!
