20 Unexpected Ways to Use Vinegar Around the House

To clean sharp edges on a dirty knife or pair of shears without cutting yourself, pour white vinegar over the blade. Then sprinkle with coarse salt and rub with a cork. Rinse with water and wipe dry to prevent rusting.

If you think that the colors of your clothing may run in the wash, try this time-honored easy treatment: Prerinse laundry in a solution of distilled white vinegar and cold water, using 2/3 cup vinegar for each gallon of water. Let the garments soak for up to 15 minutes, then wash and dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

On the flip side, vinegar is naturally acidic, and will whiten fabrics when added to the rinse water. Add it to the first rinse so it can be washed out by the second rinse. Depending on the size of the load, add anywhere from 1/8 cup to 1/2 cup.

Cut through the crusty buildup of mineral deposits on your faucet with this trick: Soak a paper towel in full-strength white vinegar, then drape over the buildup. Leave for about an hour, then scrub scum away.

This is a natural way to clean your coffeemaker: Fill the carafe with equal parts water and white vinegar. Pour into the reservoir and turn the machine on. When several cups have filled the carafe, turn it off and let it sit for an hour. Then turn it back on and rinse it out with a few cycles of fresh water before brewing a cup.

Keep the ants from marching in: Pour equal amounts of water and white vinegar into a spray bottle, and shake to mix. Then, spritz the solution in areas where ants tend to gather, like kitchen floors or the crevices in painted baseboards. You can also use the repellent outside to spray your patio, porch, or picnic table where you host gatherings.

If it becomes clogged, fill a plastic bag with undiluted white vinegar and place the bag over the head so it is submerged; secure and seal the bag with a rubber band. Soak overnight and then scrub the face with a toothbrush.

Warm weather means more weeds. But don't go for the chemical weed killer. Douse the offending foliage with vinegar instead. The weeds will likely shrivel in a day or so; resilient ones rarely withstand a second treatment.

Vinegar works as an efficient cleaner for wood floors as well. If yours becomes really dirty, try a solution of 1/8 cup plant-based liquid soap and 1/8 cup distilled white vinegar to 1 gallon water (add 10 drops essential oil for fragrance, if you prefer).

To remove a hard-water ring from inside the toilet, pour white vinegar into the bowl and let set for an hour. Scrub clean and flush.

Wash bacteria and mildew from bath toys by giving them a bath of their own: Fill a bucket or large bowl with warm water, adding 1/2 cup white vinegar per gallon of water. Soak toys for 10 minutes, then rub gently with a sponge and allow to dry. The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through dirt buildup and works as a natural disinfectant.

Leather and suede are some of the hardest materials to maintain. Stains can easily result when our shoes come in contact with rain or salt. So rub shoes with a paper towel dampened with white vinegar. The white vinegar will dissolve the salt.

To remove musty smells from old furniture, try this: Fill plastic containers with white vinegar; seal, and punch holes in the lids. Put one inside each drawer or cabinet overnight to absorb odors. For extreme cases, you can clean interiors with a vinegar-dampened cloth.

Set out a shallow dish of apple-cider vinegar. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap; using a needle, punch a half dozen holes in the surface at least a half inch in from the edge of the bowl. The fruit flies will fly in and get trapped.