Vinegar is a humble household substance we all have. Most likely, you’ve known it as a food add-on, and we can’t deny that it does make a whole myriad of dishes way better. But vinegar actually is phenomenally useful for a whole lot of other things! This list is for 12 of the most practical.

1. Make your rice fluffier

This is a great hack for people in the culinary business, or if you live in parts of Asia where rice is a staple food. White vinegar aids in “rinsing” excess starch from rice, resulting in rice that doesn’t stick and clump together when it cooks.

2. It works as an unlikely toilet cleaner

Needless to say, stained toilets are disgusting. Nobody wants those in their home, and no one wants their guests to see that either. You can simply put some distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, and give the stained parts of the toilet bowl a good spraying before running through them with a toilet brush. Easy-peasy.

3. Get rid of annoying residue stuck on your clothes

Ever had a sticker applied to your clothes during some event? Maybe at a party, or even one of those that reads “I voted” that they hand out during elections? The residue they leave behind though is a pain. You can remove it by placing some white vinegar on the residue for a few minutes, then scrubbing it off with an old toothbrush.

4. Get ants to stay away

Ants cannot stand the smell of vinegar. It drives them away like a repellent, something you’d need if you find them frequenting your cupboards or walls. All you need is to mix equal parts water and vinegar (the apple cider variety works too) in a spray bottle and spray in any spots you want ant-free.

5. Bye, bye, bad smells

If you’re struggling to keep bad odors from food, laundry, or other places from overpowering your house, then vinegar is your unlikely help. A cup of white vinegar simmering in a sauce pan can release particles into the air that neutralize the smell. The resulting vinegar smell in your home won’t last long either.

6. De-skunk your pets

We all know of the spray released by Skunks from watching cartoons, but once you encounter this spray for real (which is actually secreted from glands on their anus! Disgusting, we know), it ain’t so funny. Luckily, 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar does the trick. Put the mixture in a bottle, and douse the Skunked bits of your pet’s fur (and don’t let it say longer than 5 minutes!) with it before helping it with your hands.

7. Remove crayon from places that shouldn’t have crayon

Anyone who has toddlers is going to appreciate learning this. Vinegar’s multi-purpose powers are thanks to its acidic and odor-binding chemical make-up. It can break down the oil and wax from crayon marks and make it far easier for parents who need to clean up after their artsy toddlers.

8. Preserve the color of your clothes

If you take your fashion sense seriously, or just don’t want to ruin those clothes you spent money on, consider soaking your clothes in vinegar before washing them. Just 1/2 cup of vinegar is great for dark clothes. You don’t need to worry about them smelling like vinegar afterward either, as the water will have rinsed it out prior.

9. Makeshift toner for skincare

Apple Cider vinegar is an acetic acid, and also a pretty good antibacterial substance. You can use it for several skin-care routines, like mixing a tablespoon of it with liquid castile soap to make a facial wash or dabbing it on blemishes to draw out the oil and keep them from getting worse.

10. Get rid of the stink from your laundry

This one essentially combines two of the applications already mentioned on this list. Some distilled white vinegar in your wash load can efficiently remove any foul smells still on the clothes, and also make them whiter.

11. It’s a helpful oven cleaner

Ovens are tricky to clean, but fortunately, baking soda and vinegar can make it easier once again. Make a paste with some baking soda and a couple of tablespoons of water. Apply this paste to the inside of your dirty oven, and let it sit overnight. Come morning, wipe off the stuff (and use a tool to pick up the excess if need be) then spray some vinegar into the oven and let it stay for about 20 minutes.

12. Get stubborn smells off your hands

This one is as simple as mixing vinegar and baking soda until the mixture becomes a paste. Lather it on your hands and rub them for as long as you think is needed for it to work, and the smell should disappear! This is particularly useful for people who work in kitchens, or perhaps if you eat greasy snacks on the regular.

Now, isn’t it impressive what our humble salad-topper can do? As a matter of fact, there are even more uses than just the 12 most practical that we’ve mentioned. Chances are, someone you know might find these vinegar hacks useful too, so give this list a share and let more people know the secret powers of vinegar!

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Source: [The Spruce, Healthline]