40 Household Uses for Vinegar (Why We Love Cleaning with Vinegar)

Want to avoid unnecessary chemicals in your house? You’ll love cleaning with vinegar! These forty household uses for vinegar are perfect for getting your house clean in an eco-friendly, inexpensive manner.

Want to avoid unnecessary chemicals in your house? You'll love cleaning with vinegar! These forty household uses for vinegar are perfect for getting your house clean in an eco-friendly, inexpensive manner.

For the longest time, I had no idea that there were so many household uses for vinegar. We used it in some basic cleaners and for easter eggs, but that was about it.

Cleaning with vinegar is inexpensive and natural. Not only that, but it’s a great way to fight mildew, grease, and certain bacteria and. While it may not be a cure all for our cleaning woes, it still has a lot of potential when it comes to natural cleaners.

Ready to start cleaning with vinegar? Check out all of the household uses for vinegar below to get started!

Related ReadingCitrus Infused Vinegar Cleaner DIY

Cleaning with Vinegar in the Kitchen

  1. MUGS | Scrub coffee + tea stains with a half vinegar, half baking soda solution
  2. FRIDGE | Clean the shelves + walls with a half water, half vinegar solution
  3. KITCHEN DRAIN | Pour one cup of vinegar down the drain, let sit for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water
  4. TUPPERWARE | Eliminate odors by scrubbing with vinegar then washing as you normally would
  5. MICROWAVE | Boil a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in the microwave. This will help deodorize the microwave and loosen the splattered food particles enough to wipe clean
  6. CUTTING BOARDS | Spray with vinegar and rinse with cold water
  7. STAINLESS STEEL | Spray with a light coating of vinegar and then use a soft cloth to wipe off
  8. TEAKETTLE | Remove lime and mineral deposits by bringing vinegar to a boil and letting sit overnight then rinsing with cold water
  9. JARS & CONTAINERS | Fill with a solution of half warm, soapy water and half vinegar. Put the lid on and shake if available, or use a scrub brush to remove anything stuck to the side
  10. BRASS | Create a paste that is equal parts vinegar and equal parts salt. Scrub with a soft cloth until the tarnish is gone and then rinse with cold water
  11. FRUIT & VEGGIE CLEANER | Add 2 tbsp vinegar to 1 pint of water for a quick and easy fruit/vegetable wash
  12. REMOVE FRUIT STAINS FROM FINGERS | If your hands have been stained by fruits, wash them with vinegar and then wash with soap and warm water
  13. REMOVE COOKING SMELLS | Boil a pot of half water, half vinegar on the stove and then let simmer to remove unwanted cooking smells
  14. DISHWASHER | Run an empty dishwasher’s full cycle with a cup of vinegar in it once a month to sanitize it
  15. FAUCETS | Create a paste with 2 tbsp salt and 1 tsp vinegar. Wipe the faucet down with the paste and then wipe clean with a soft cloth dampened with water

Cleaning with Vinegar in the Living Room

  1. BLINDS | Use a solution of half hot water, half vinegar and wipe down your blinds with a soft cloth dampened with the solution
  2. CARPET STAINS | Light stains can be cleaned with a solution of 4 tbsp salt dissolved in 1 cup of water. Rub on with a cloth, let dry and vacuum. For tougher stains, make a paste of 1 tbsp vinegar and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Rub on with a cloth, let dry, and vacuum. 
  3. PET ODORS | Spray with vinegar and then sprinkle on baking soda. Rub with a soft cloth, let dry, and vacuum.
  4. BRICKS | Clean with a dampened cloth from a solution of 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon of water
  5. REMOVE WALLPAPER | Spray the wallpaper with a solution of half vinegar, half water and let saturate. Remove wallpaper with a scraper

Related Reading: Easy Homemade Water Based Cleaner

Cleaning with Vinegar in the Bathroom

  1. BATHTUB & SHOWER | Clean bathtub or shower door film by wiping with vinegar. Rinse with cold water
  2. TOILET | Pour 3 cups of vinegar in your toilet and let sit for a minimum of thirty minutes (overnight if possible.) Use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl after it sits and flush
  3. SHOWER HEAD | For shower heads that have mineral buildup, soak in vinegar overnight and then rinse with cold water before reattaching
  4. GENERAL CLEANING | Use straight vinegar for heavy stains (especially around the toilet, in the sink, or in the shower.) Spray on a soft cloth and wipe down. Dilute to half vinegar, half water for general wipe-downs.
  5. DRAINS | Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup vinegar. Once the foaming stops, flush with hot water. Let sit for 10 minutes and flush with cold water

Cleaning with Vinegar in the Laundry Room

  1. STATIC REMOVAL & FABRIC SOFTENER | Add 1 cup vinegar to the final wash to remove static and soften fabric
  2. BRIGHTEN CLOTHING | Add a 1/2 cup of vinegar to your washing machine’s wash cycle to brighten clothing
  3. REMOVE WRINKLES | Combine 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist your clothing with this mixture until damp. Hang and let air dry
  4. REMOVE ARMPIT STAINS | Create a paste from 2 tsp vinegar and 3 tsp baking soda. Let sit for 30-45 minutes and then wash as you normally would
  5. REMOVE WATER SOLUABLE STAINS | To remove water-soluable stains within 24 hours, pat with straight vinegar and then wash. For tougher stainers, let soak overnight in a solution of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part water. Wash as you normally would.

Related Reading: DIY Glass Cleaner

OTHER USES FOR VINEGAR

  1. STATIC REMOVAL & FABRIC SOFTENER | Add 1 cup vinegar to the final wash to remove static and soften fabric
  2. WINDOW CLEANER |  Add 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol to a 32 oz spray bottle. Fill the rest with water and use to clean your windows
  3. SALT IN YOUR CAR | Create a solution of half vinegar and half water then use a soft cloth or sponge to rub the mixture into your car’s carpet. Let set for 10 minutes, blot with a dry cloth.
  4. REMOVE PAINT FROM PAINTBRUSHES | Remove old paint from paintbrushes by soaking in vinegar for an hour. For paint that doesn’t come clean after an hour, bring vinegar to a boil with the paintbrushes in it and then scrub clean
  5. WEEDS | Get rid of weeds by spraying the weed with vinegar until it saturates it’s roots
  6. KEEP WINDOWS FROST FREE | Spray windows with a solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and wipe with a soft cloth
  7. KEEP FRESH FLOWERS FRESH LONGER | Add 2 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp water in a vase. Change the water every 3-5 days
  8. REMOVE STICKERS | Spray with vinegar, let saturate and then scrape off
  9. CLEAN PET EARS | Swab a cotton ball with a solution of 2 parts vinegar, 1 part water through your pet’s ears to clean them. DO NOT apply if you see a cut
  10. FRESHEN FIDO’S COAT | Spray a solution of half water, half vinegar on your pup’s coat and rub in. This aids in repelling fleas and ticks as well

Do you have any tips for cleaning with vinegar? How about any other uses for vinegar?

You might also like: