We aren’t exaggerating when we say just about any and every time we Google what to use to get a stain out or to clean a particular appliance, the answer is almost always vinegar. Which is awesome because it’s a pantry staple for a lot of us. So we decided to make a complete guide of household uses for vinegar.
Clean the Dishwasher
It doesn’t take long for a dishwasher to get pretty gross and considering your dishwasher is responsible for keeping all of your dishes clean, you know, those things you need to eat and drink with, it’s super important to ensure soap and food residue isn’t building up in there. And the best way to do that? Pour one cup of vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher and run it through a cycle sans dishes. It’s that easy!
Whiten Whites
To keep your white garments from looking dingy or to brighten them because they’re starting to look a little dingy, add anywhere from ⅛ – ¼ cup of vinegar to your first rinse cycle and you’ll notice a difference immediately.
Mop Hardwood Floors
If you‘ve got hardwood or prefinished floors, mop your floors with ½ cup of vinegar and one gallon of hot water to really get them clean. To make your floors smell a little less vinegar-y, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Oh, and if you have waxed floors, don’t use this method because it will strip the wax from your floors.
Remove Rug Stains
Rugs are expensive, so we do our best to keep them looking like new, but stains happen. Once you spot a stain, blend equal parts water and vinegar and pour it over the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away and you have a stain-free rug.
Unclog a Drain
Few things are as inconvenient as a clogged drain, but you can find comfort in knowing that the next time you have on, all you need is some vinegar and baking soda. First, you’ll pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar; let it bubble and foam, then pour some boiling water down the drain, wait five minutes and rinse with cold water.
Make Your Shoes Shine
Leather and suede shoes can be hard to maintain especially when exposed to salt and/or rain. Rub your shoes down with a paper towel dampened with white vinegar and your shoes will look as good as new.