9 Genius Uses For Ordinary Household Vinegar

• 9 Practical Ways To Use Vinegar Around The House
• 1. Clean Grimy Scissors
• 2. Deodorize Water Bottles
• 3. Make Nail Polish Last
• 4. Fix Scuffed Leather
• 5. Clean Stained Mugs
• 6. Dissolve Sticky Messes
• 7. Deodorize Smelly Hands
• 8. Make Poached Eggs
• 9. Revive Wilted Veggies

Discover how vinegar can fix everything from dirty scissors to wilted veggies.

I wasn’t all that surprise to learn that I’ve already written over 50 blog posts that feature white vinegar, given that it’s such a handy product to have around the home! I know some people can’t stand the smell, but for me, the results I get from using it are more than worth dealing with its strong aroma.

I always keep white vinegar on hand at home, and I never start a load of dishes without it. A cup of vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher makes our hard water a non-issue, and my glasses always come out clean and spot-free.

I’m always coming across new ways to use vinegar around the house, but the uses below are 9 of my all-time favorites.

9 Practical Ways To Use Vinegar Around The House

1. Clean Grimy Scissors

Cleaning scissors with soap and water can chip the blades over time. Instead, use vinegar to wipe off the blades without doing any damage.

2. Deodorize Water Bottles

If your water bottle or coffee cup starts to smell bad, you can use vinegar to get rid of the smell. Fill the cup or bottle with water and a splash of vinegar, then let it sit for an hour or so and it will smell good as new.

3. Make Nail Polish Last

Before you paint your nails, wipe them with a clean cloth dampened with vinegar. The vinegar will remove any dirt or natural oils on your nails that could prevent the polish from forming a strong bond, ensuring that your nail polish will last a good, long time.

4. Fix Scuffed Leather

Small scuffs on leather purses or shoes will come off with a little vinegar. Dip a cloth in white vinegar and smooth it along the scratch, laying the lifted leather down as you go. The leather will swell and close over the scratch, making it a lot less noticeable.

5. Clean Stained Mugs

If your mugs are stained with coffee or tea, soak them in vinegar for a few hours. If the stains are really stubborn, make a paste of vinegar and kosher salt and use it to scrub the stains.

6. Dissolve Sticky Messes

Vinegar is great for dealing with really sticky messes, like chewing gum or candle wax stuck to car upholstery, rugs, or carpeting. It not only helps dissolve the gunk itself, but it also helps relax the fibers of the fabric and makes the gunk easier to remove.

7. Deodorize Smelly Hands

After chopping onions or garlic, wash your hands with some white vinegar to get rid of any lingering smells. Let your hands air dry and the odor of vinegar will disappear.

8. Make Poached Eggs

Add a couple tablespoons of vinegar to your cooking water when making poached eggs. It’s a simple way to ensure the egg whites will stay together instead of falling apart. 

9. Revive Wilted Veggies

If your veggies have seen better days and look a bit sad or wilted, toss them into a bowl with 2 cups of cold water and a tablespoon of vinegar. Let them soak for an hour or so, and they’ll be nice and crisp again so you can use them up.

How do you use vinegar around the house?