I. Love. Vinegar. Of all kinds. It’s an ingredient used daily in my cooking. But did you know that it is also a magical cleaning agent? It can do jobs around the house you would never expect!

Pick up a jumbo jug of distilled white vinegar and read on to find out the many ways it can make your life easier- and cleaner! Bonus, it’s all natural and inexpensive!

1. WINDOWS

Combine equal parts vinegar and water and place in an empty spray bottle. Use a non-abrasive soft cloth and watch your windows shine! Also great for glass shower doors!

2. GLASSES

Sometimes our water glasses get a little “cloudy” looking. Pour a cup of vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher and run the cycle as usual. It’ll have your glassware and dishware sparkling and you didn’t have to scrub a thing!

3. SCALE

What is that white stuff that collects on your showerheads, faucets, and tea kettles? Mineral deposits from the water. Vinegar is a lifesaver for removing this eyesore, that can also clog your showerhead and cause the water to run more slowly. If you can remove your showerhead easily, you can soak it in a bowl of vinegar. Otherwise, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and carefully place it around the showerhead. Secure the top firmly so it stays on and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Remove and run the water through for a minute.

Vinegar will get rid of any scale, just let it sit in your tea kettle, coffee pot, whatever you have that needs help!

4. KITCHEN SINK ODORS

Pour vinegar down the drain and let it sit for a half hour. Flush through with warm water.

5. PRODUCE

As you would for washing windows, fill a food-safe spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar. This can be used to wash the skins of fruits and vegetables. I like this better than most produce washing sprays you can buy!

6. FLOWERS

Fresh flowers will keep longer if you use this trick. Add two tablespoons vinegar plus two tablespoons sugar to a quart of water. Mix well and pour into your flower vase. Change the water when it becomes cloudy.

7. STUBBORN STICKERS

Vinegar can help dissolve glue from stickers. I often reuse my glass jelly/mustard/condiment jars, and find vinegar invaluable for getting off the labels.

What NOT to use vinegar on

There are some things that vinegar can damage. Don’t use to clean granite or marble counter tops, or natural stone tiles (ceramic and porcelain tile are vinegar-safe). Certain finishes on wood floors also don’t react well to vinegar, so use a dedicated wood floor cleaner instead.

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