• GIFT IDEAS
  • CRAFTS
  • ORGANIZE
  • CLEAN
  • BEAUTY
  • GARDEN
  • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
  • BABY
  • HOME
  • DISCLOSURE

The Frugal Girls

Recipes, Money, Home & Garden, DIY, Beauty and Travel

  • EASY RECIPES
    • ALL RECIPES
    • 5 INGREDIENTS OR LESS
    • APPETIZERS
    • BABY FOOD
    • BREAD
    • BREAKFAST
    • CANNING & PRESERVING
    • CROCKPOT
    • DESSERTS
    • DINNER
    • DRINKS
    • HOLIDAYS
    • SALADS
    • SAUCES
    • SEASONINGS
    • SIDES
    • SOUPS
    • COOKING TIPS & TRICKS
  • RESTAURANT HACKS
  • STORE HACKS
  • FREEBIES
  • SIDE HUSTLES
  • SAVE MONEY
  • ABOUT
  • WORK WITH ME

46 Ways to Use Vinegar You Never Thought of!

October 1, 2012 By Heidi 28 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Let your creativity go wild with these fun Ways to Use Vinegar!

Ways to Use Vinegar You Never Thought of!

I’ve already told you how to make a Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe and a totally frugal Homemade Fabric Softener using Vinegar…

Now… get ready for a BIGGER list of Vinegar hacks than you ever dreamed was possible!

Trust me, you owe it to yourself to check out these fantastic tips for Ways to Use Vinegar from your fellow frugal friends.  Seriously… you don’t know what you’ve been missing!

Related:

  • 101+ Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks to Save Time and Effort!

Ways to Use Vinegar

Keri said: “If you dilute it a bit and use it as a spray cleaner for fresh fruits and veggies, it kills bacteria and helps them stay fresh longer… and avoid mold.  I saw it on Dr. Oz!” 😉

Easy Fruit and Veggie Wash

Nikki said: “I use it as a veggie wash. Keep a squirt bottle of 50/50 (h20) at my sink. I keep vinegar/dish soap spray bottle in my hand all day!  I use it to clean baby’s high hair tray to my out door play structure’s awning.”

Vicky said: “It is great for sunburns too! Takes the sting out…”

Aurea said: “I use white vinegar with baking soda for cleaning my jewelery.”

Easy Microwave Cleaning Trick

Microwave Cleaning Hack Vinegar Water

Candy said: “I make “Clorox” wipes with it.  {similar to homemade baby wipes}  Cut a roll of Bounty paper towels in half, then put that into an empty plastic Folgers coffee can.  Add 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup hot distilled water.  After about 30 minutes you should be able to pull out the core, and start pulling the wipes from the center  Use them anywhere you would usually use the name brand wipes.”

Wendy said: “I use it to wash clothes, and make whites brighter… and it’s not as harsh as Clorox!”

Tasha said: “I use it for Fabric Softener!”

DIY Homemade Fabric Softener

Melissa said: “I mix it with my laundry fabric softener so it lasts longer!”

Jan said: “I use distilled white vinegar in washing machine when washing my blacks. It helps them stay “brand new black”.  I use about a cup for a large load. It hasn’t failed me yet.”

Shanna said:  “Vinegar gets that smell out of the arm pit area of your teenager’s shirt!  lol”

Amanda said: “I’ve got 3 toddler boys, so I use it to get the pee smell out of laundry.  Just one cup in at the start of a load, and voila!”

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Teresa said: “Mix a few drops of vinegar with a few drops of rubbing alcohol, put a couple of drops in ears after swimming to get rid of water in your ears and has antibiotic properties.”

Erna said: “It gets chlorine out of your hair.  No more green hair!” 😉

How to Clean Your Keurig

Jennifer said:  “Brew it through your coffee pot to clean it out.  You can also run it through your dishwasher on a cycle to clean that out, too!”

How to Clean Your Coffee Maker

Drea said: “Microwave 1/4 cup vinegar in a bowl until it boils.  Leave the microwave door closed for a couple of minutes to let it get nice and steamy.  This softens the splatters in the microwave.  Dip a sponge or dish towel in the vinegar and use it to clean and disinfect the microwave ~ without elbow grease!”

Shelly said: “Works great for cleaning that hard to get stuck on food in the microwave. 1/2 cup vinegar mixed with 1/2 cup water for 4-5 min and everything wipes clean instantly.”

Elaine said:  “It’s also good for getting hard water deposits off of faucets ~ works like a charm!”

How to Fix a Hard to Turn Faucet

How to Fix a Hard to Turn Faucet

Kali said: “We have extremely hard water so I use it in a spray bottle to clean the hard water build up on my shower doors.  I also use 1/2 cup in my dishwasher with each load so all my dishes come out sparkly clean {without it there is hard water cloudiness}.  I also use it in the laundry.”

Homemade 409 Recipe

Patti said: “1/2 white vinegar, 1/2 water in a spray bottle. When I’m done with my shower, I spray the shower stall. Sure has cut down on the amount of time needed to clean my shower each week!”

Leslie said:  “It also works great to clear clogged drains… a layer of baking soda, a layer of salt, a layer of baking soda, a layer of salt, then pour vinegar on it all and flush with hot water.  Plunge if needed.”

Quick and Easy Drain Cleaner

Monya said: “It’s fantastic at unclogging drains, 1/2 cup of baking soda in the t first, then a cup in half or 2 cups of vinegar, cover the drain. It works great, you may need to repeat but it works. Even unclogging the toilet.”

Leslie said: “I just tried a new cleaner… 2 parts White Vinegar to 1 part Dawn Dish Soap.  I used it clean my tub.  Wow!  It works great.”

DIY Homemade Glass Cleaner

Melissa said:  “I use it to clean windows, with newspaper {instead of paper towels}.  No more streaks!” 🙂

Heather said: “I use it in my dishwasher instead of Jet Dry.  Never a spotty glass!!”

Jennifer said: “I use it with baking soda to clean stubborn dishes, and also to clean our glass top stove top.  I also use it to mop the floor, with a dash of lemon juice.  With a lot of little kids always on the floor, the vinegar works great… and is not all chemicals!”

Chaslin said: “Mix 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water, and 1 part Febreeze for cleaning floors.  That way it doesn’t stink so bad!  I add a little baking soda to give it some extra punch!”

How to Clean Your Dog’s Collar

Lorrie said: “I use it in my carpet steamer… rather then spend a ton on carpet shampoo… CLEANS wonderful, and when dried the vinegar smell is gone along with every other nasty smell… GREAT CLEANER!  I also use it as a VEGGIE WASH… 1/2 cup vinegar (I use a giant pot-you could use your sink I guess) fill up with water soak veggies in it, then rinse… removes dirt, wax, and other “things” from fresh veggies and fruits.”

Heather said: “I use it to clean stains out of carpets and in my steam cleaner to clean carpets.”

Tori said: “I use it in my steam cleaner.  Did you know that cleaner soap actually attracts dirt scum to carpet?  Vinegar makes my floors much cleaner.  I use it straight. I always have a sprayer ready to go.  Also, I have 2 cats and if they vomit on carpet it immediately counter acts the acid from their stomach and turns it clear.”

Laura said: “I use it full-strength on my tile floors in my kitchen.  It smells funny, I know but it cuts the dirt like a champ… and I don’t have to rinse.  Love it!”

Wendy said: “It gets dog pee off of tile… stink and pee are gone ~ hooray!  Just use 2/3 water and 1/3 white vinegar in a spray bottle.”

Sandy said: “Use the organic apple cider vinegar… put a few drops in your dogs water, helps with tartar.  Also, rinse your dogs in organic apple cider vinegar.  Pour it on them after you rinse them and do not rinse out, it helps with fleas, etc.”

Gloria said: “I put Apple Cider Vinegar in my dogs food to help with UTI’s and flea prevention.  I also drink ACV with a little water before meals, really helps with GI issues. Awesome stuff Vinegar” :)

Lauren said: “Mix with dish soap and water for flea shampoo. Works good. I’m not sure the exact recipe but you can find it online.”

Sarah said: “I use vinegar in a mix for fly spray for my horse. Works well and saves me money!!”

Kathleen said:  “I soak dog collars and leashes in a small amount of laundry detergent mixed with vinegar and water.  I had never been able to get the odor out in the past, and this works great!”

Dawn said: “Vinegar is great for cleaning small pet cages without fear of hurting them.”

Jessica said: “Plain white vinegar in a small bowl and placed in a concealed area soaks up odors in the air. “

Jennifer said:  “I fill up a Dawn Oxi Clean bottle when it is empty {only a few drops left that you can never get out to wash dishes with} with half water, and the rest vinegar.  Put a piece of Saran Wrap over it, poke little holes in it, and set it out near all those pesky gnats.  They are attracted to it and they get trapped inside the bottle.  I did the same with a few drops of the Dawn soap, water, vinegar mix in empty water bottles and put them in my pantry and no more of those pesky weird roly poly flying gnats!”

Sandra said:  “I put it in my soapy water when I wash my car.”

Lisa said: “This tip isn’t a cleaner, but I love it on salad with oil!” 😉

Jenny said: “Buttermilk substitute- 1 c milk + 1 tbsp vinegar.  I use in recipes, I never have buttermilk on hand and this works just as well.”

Thrifty DIY Weed Killer

Amber said: “I use it in the laundry, as a bath/kitchen cleaner, weed killer and as a skin soother when my girls get insect (especially fire ant) bites.  Just dab some on and it takes the sting and itch right out.”

Dee said: “Completely by accident we found that a small bowl full of vinegar will repel bees!”

Alyce said: “Vinegar also kills ants.”

Lisa said: “I spray it on mildew walls. Works as good as bleach & I don’t have to worry about vinegar bleaching out the carpet.  Also spray it 50/50 with water in the shower after each shower to get rid of soap scum.  1/2 cup vinegar in my coffee pot once a week to clean the machine. The list goes on…”

Now that you’ve had fun reading these Ways to Use Vinegar… get even more Creative Homemade Recipes for around your home!!

21 Brilliant Spring Cleaning Hacks

Use these Spring Cleaning tips and tricks to save you time and money… you’ll have your house looking fabulous in no time!

Spring Cleaning Hacks

32 Ways to Use Baking Soda {Creative Tips & Tricks}

Load up on some seriously creative Baking Soda tips and tricks with these epic Ways to Use Baking Soda!

Ways to Use Baking Soda

67 Coconut Oil Uses For Skin and Hair

Get ready for a flood of coconut oil inspiration with these Creative Coconut Oil Uses!

Coconut Oil Uses for Skin Hair and Food

Essential Oil Uses List! {24 Brilliant Ways to Use Oils}

Learn even more creative ways to use essential oils with this BIG List of Essential Oil Uses!

50+ DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes That Work! {Surprisingly Easy}

Get ready for some serious savings with these simple DIY Homemade Cleaners Recipes and Tips!

101 Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks to Save Time and Effort

Stock up on loads and loads of helpful ideas for making everything in your kitchen… EASIER!!

Genius Kitchen Tips and Tricks

Don’t miss out!   Catch all the latest fun new Frugal Girls Tips, Recipes + more…

Frugal Girls Email Updates

The Frugal Girls on Pinterest | TheFrugalGirls.com

So do YOU have a favorite tip or trick for Ways to Use Vinegar??

Leave a comment & share!

Vinegar Cleaning Spray Hacks

Filed Under: Ask Your Frugal Friends, DIY, Kitchen Tips

Comments

  1. Maureen says

    May 5, 2016 at 9:37 pm

    Put about a cup of white vinegar in a cup , and set it where you want to get
    rid of a bad odor in a room . The vinegar wil help get rid of it within an hour.
    or so. Then poor the vinegar down the sink or toilet, that helps also.

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      May 5, 2016 at 11:14 pm

      Great tip, Maureen… thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  2. Vern Skinner says

    April 1, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    Soak rusty tools in straight vinegar ,leave in for a week or longer ,and rust is gone , and the mechanism for instance on an adjustable wrench will work smoothly again. I have parts to an old farm jack soaking right now , will comment on the jack when I take it out .

    Reply
  3. Katrin Sootna says

    December 14, 2015 at 12:23 am

    Hei! I read so many good tips for vinegar, but I have a question- how strong is your vinegar? In Estonia we have in store 3%, 5%, 33% 52% and 96% So I am littlebit desoriantated…..

    Reply
  4. Jacquie says

    November 15, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    I have applied AC vinegar to a few age spots on my face for about 3 weeks and the spots are nearly gone. Added benefit is silky soft skin. Also, I bruise very easily and several weeks back someone accidentally walked on my foot. Very painful and thought I would have a serious bruise. I immediately applied ACvinegar every couple hrs and I barely bruised. AMAZING!!!

    Reply
  5. Meg Hopkins says

    April 17, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    I discovered by accident that a warm vinegar and water will dissolve creosote that has leaked out of your woodstove during the winter (clean it when the stove is cold).

    Reply
  6. Kim Pope says

    April 17, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    I used ACV to gargle with, mix it 2-1 with warm water and it kills cold germs and soothes a sore throat.

    Reply
  7. Patricia says

    April 17, 2015 at 10:53 am

    1/2 vinegar and 1/2 distilled water make a great cleaner for LED and plasma screens. Ammonia may damage TV screens and monitors. Do not spray on screen but apply to cloth first…

    Reply
  8. Marci says

    April 4, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    I clean my white furniture by spraying a vinegar mixture on the fabric, scrub with a soft brush, and suck up with a wet/dry shop vac. It worked better than anything else I have tried… The mixture is: half vinegar, half hot water, tablespoon of dawn dish soap (scented if you like), and tablespoon of automotive degreaser (my favorite is “Super Clean”… Comes in a purple bottle). Furniture is not only clean, but very fresh smelling.

    Reply
  9. Marci says

    April 4, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    I mix vinegar with making soda in a bowl and with a dollar store firm toothbrush, I scrub my white tile grout… Leave on for a couple of hours or over night and wash off…gets it super white!! It is better than every grout cleaner I have ever bought, better than bleach, and better than peroxide and baking soda and so much less toxic!

    Reply
  10. Olivia says

    November 26, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I use it as conditioner…. if you have red hair go ahead and use apple cider, it helps keep your reds more brilliant. If not a red head use normal vinegar. I still use normal conditioners but before I rinse I port over a 50/50 mixture.

    Reply
  11. Ayse Demirbas says

    October 24, 2014 at 11:18 am

    I use vinegar to wash my vegetables before they go to the refrigerator .For 1 lt water I use 4 table spoon vinegar.it cleans all agricultural chemicals and prety much everything.

    Reply
  12. Vuyiswa says

    August 17, 2014 at 4:08 am

    Thank you for the powerful yet affordable tips .I m definitely be trying the one for fleece combating.

    Reply
  13. Carol Sewell says

    April 13, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    I use an equal mix of olive oil and white vinegar on furniture that has had a little water damage , it shines up well.Also on outdoor teak furniture.

    Reply
  14. Dawn Lorraine says

    April 7, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    It’s also good for nail fungus, put a few drops on infected area at least twice a day.

    Reply
  15. Katy Henry says

    February 22, 2014 at 3:53 am

    I’ve also read that it can be applied to bruises to speed the healing process.

    Reply
  16. Tina says

    November 24, 2013 at 12:49 am

    1/4c of vinegar
    1/4c of listerine
    1/2c of water
    soak feet for 10 minutes and all the dead skin will come off

    Reply
  17. Dottie says

    November 9, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to your pie crust recipe and it comes out flaky and tender every time.

    Reply
  18. Cyndi says

    September 24, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    Have you ever had athletes feet? My feet use to itch so bad that it would turn into blisters and had bumps on the bottom of my feet. I have tried everything to cure them however nothing ever worked. I had bought so much store products and still nothing work until I put full strength vinegar in a squirt bottle and sprayed my feet 3 times a day and also all my shoes. In 1 week I started to have the itching slow down and in 2 weeks the itching was gone and no more smelly feet. I had this problem everyday for a year and the vinegar just killed the bacteria that nothing could kill. I keep a bottle all the time and spray my shoes and feet once a day to not have that ever come back.

    Reply
  19. pnurplec says

    June 29, 2013 at 4:23 am

    As a teacher, I mix white vinegar with water 50% and clean my white board in the classroom. This mix, a spray bottle, and a cheap washcloth has saved my board from dry erasr marker “stain”

    Reply
  20. Shanon | hookinandcookin.com says

    May 30, 2013 at 11:55 am

    Late to the party – use vinegar to remove the onion and garlic smell from your hands! I keep a spray bottle of it next to my sink and use it to wash my hands. Use it full strength to sanitize counters and cutting boards as well.

    Reply
  21. JackieToo says

    January 6, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    As always, Thanks for all the goodies!

    Reply
  22. D. says

    October 3, 2012 at 9:45 am

    Completely by accident we found that a small bowl full of vinegar will repel bees!

    Reply
    • Wanda Tucker says

      September 12, 2013 at 8:52 pm

      Organic vinegar will attract white flies, the kind that is attracted to your fruits and vegetables, they love it and will fall into the liquid and the end of them….leave a small bowl or cup with some vinegar and they will not be a bother….

      Reply
  23. sandy weinstein says

    October 2, 2012 at 11:15 pm

    use the organic apple cider vinegar…put a few drops in your dogs water, helps with tartar
    also rinse your dogs in organic apple cider vinegar..poor it on them after you rinse them, do not rinse out…helps with fleas, etc.

    Reply
    • gloria says

      March 4, 2013 at 8:54 am

      @Sandy,I rinse my dog with Tea tree oil in the bath water,helps with fleas and skin issues; but i put Apple Cider Vinegar in her food to help with UTI’s and flea prevention, I also drink ACV with a little water before meals, really helps with GI issues.
      Awesome stuff Vinegar 🙂

      Reply
  24. Betsy @ Anna Nimmity says

    October 2, 2012 at 8:05 am

    I love this list! Thanks, Heidi!

    Reply
  25. Jan Landrum says

    October 1, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    I use distilled white vinegar in washing machine when washing my blacks. It helps them stay “brand new black”. I use about a cup for a large load. It hasn’t failed me yet.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey there... it's so nice to meet you! I'm Heidi: a Frugal Girl living in sunny Arizona! I love sharing Easy Recipes, DIY Decor, Style & Beauty Hacks, Gardening Tips, Travel Hacks, and Creative Ways to Live the Sweet Life on a Budget. I'm so glad you're here!
More About Me >>
 

Don’t Miss These New Posts!

Oat Flour Pancakes Recipe

Banana Oat Flour Pancakes Recipe {The BEST!}

Oat Flour Recipe Easy

Oat Flour Recipe {How to Make it at Home in 60 Seconds}

What Other People Are Reading:

Playroom Storage Ideas and Organizing Tips

Playroom Storage Ideas! {9 Genius Tips to Organize Toys & Books}

DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden! {Indoor Herbs for the Kitchen}

Homemade Glass Cleaner with Vinegar! {miracle cleaner}

10 Kitchen Organization Hacks That Will Change Your Life!

Copyright © 2009 - 2023 | Work With Me | Disclosure Policy | Privacy Policy | Home