In the South, vinegar is more than just a star ingredient in vinegar pie and the secret to zippy baked beans and tangy barbecue sauce. It’s also a go-to cleaning powerhouse. “Vinegar is seriously awesome for cleaning,” Elizabeth Shields of Super Cleaning Service Louisville told us. “The best part is it’s super eco-friendly and won’t break the bank.”
However, this humble pantry gem has a wealth of other uses that can make life a little easier outside both the kitchen and your cleaning caddy. We spoke to a fleet of experts about their favorite uses for the handy ingredient and it turns out that vinegar is useful for way more than vinaigrette and scrubbing surfaces.
Here are some of the many, many uses for vinegar far beyond cleaning.
Protect Houseplants
“Spraying diluted vinegar on houseplants for mold (White Spots) and powdery mildew works excellently. It’s also much safer than chemicals around pets and children,” Tammy Sons, Founder/CEO of TN Nursery,
Polish Silverware
“If your glasses and silverware need a little sparkle soak them in a mix of water and vinegar (half and half) for a few minutes, then rinse and dry as usual,” says Jeanine M Rose of Sweet Humble Home. “They’ll shine like they’re brand new, making your table setting Instagram-worthy, and your guests feeling a tad bit jealous of your sparkly table setting skills.”
Kill Gnats And Fruit Flies
“Place vinegar in a lid to attract and drown sour gnats. It attracts them and they flock to it,” says Sons.
Keep Your Laundry Soft
“You can use it as a fabric softener alternative to soften your clothes. simply just add half a cup of white distilled vinegar to your laundry rinse cycle can soften fabrics naturally,” says eco-cleaning advocate Danny Leung, founder of Detoorp.
Lessen The Impact Of Hard Water
“If you live in an area with hard water and don’t have a water softener, vinegar can be a great way to keep your dishwasher and washing machine in good shape. Dishwashers and washing machines often break down due to the high levels of minerals in water which accumulate on internal parts and lead to overheating, increased energy consumption, and even breakdowns over time,” says Justin Cornforth, the CEO at Ace Home Co.
”To prevent such issues, do this once a month: pour 2 cups of vinegar into an empty washing machine drum and run on a long, hot water cycle (at least 140°F). You can do the same with your dishwasher by placing a cup of vinegar in the top rack and run it on an empty hot cycle for at least 1 hour,” says Cornforth. “Even though vinegar doesn’t actually soften the water, it does a great job of breaking down mineral buildup inside the appliances, which helps them run more efficiently and prolongs their lifespan. Plus, using it regularly can help prevent sediment from clogging the plumbing connected to your appliances.”
Fix A Clogged Drain
“Dealing with a clogged drain but prefer to avoid harsh chemicals? Give this natural remedy a try: Start by pouring a pot of boiling water down the drain, followed by a cup of baking soda. Then, mix equal parts water and vinegar (about one cup each) and pour that down as well. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, then flush it all away with another pot of boiling water,” suggests Jade Piper, the Operations Manager for BetterCleans, a professional cleaning company. “This simple method can help clear minor clogs and freshen up your drain!”
Neutralize Odors
“Simply place a bowl of vinegar in the area overnight, and the smells will be absorbed by morning,” says Leung.
Extend The Life Of Cut Flowers
“Kill off bacteria still growing in cut flowers with 2 tablespoons white vinegar in 1 quart/liter of water. Changing the water every few days also helps lengthen fresh-cut beauty. Bonus: Add 3 tablespoons sugar to your vinegar-water concoction to help feed the blooms,” says Christine Schaub, the Nashville-based host of the home entertainment web series, COME ON OVER.
Clean Fruit and Vegetable Before Eating
“Remove pesticides and bacteria from your fresh fruits. Just soak them for a few minutes, rinse, and you’re good to go!” says Leung.
Kill Weeds
“In some situations before pressure washing a driveway or patio, we spray the area with vinegar a week in advance. This gives it time to work on the weeds, naturally killing them off without using harsh chemicals,” says James Credland of Zenith Exterior Cleaners. “By the time we return to clean a customer’s home, the weeds have died or are nearly dead, making it a lot easier to make everything look fresh and spotless at our customer’s homes or businesses.”