Vinegar isn’t just for cooking—it’s a versatile tool with a range of uses around the house. Affordable and effective, vinegar can replace many household products and serve various purposes. Here are five secret uses for vinegar that you might not know about:
1. Reduce Your Appetite:
- How: Lightly spray vinegar on your plate of food before eating. The acidity and sourness of vinegar signal to your stomach when it’s time to stop eating. You don’t need to saturate your food, and the taste won’t be noticeable.
- Benefit: Helps you eat less by curbing your appetite naturally.
2. Prevent Frost:
- How: Mix three parts vinegar with one part water and apply the solution to your car or home windows with a rag. This preventive measure helps keep frost from forming.
- Caution: Always dilute the vinegar as full-strength vinegar can damage window seals and wiper blades.
3. Feel Better:
- For Colds and Sore Throats: Add ¼ cup of vinegar to your vaporizer to relieve cold symptoms. Gargle with vinegar for 30 seconds to soothe a sore throat (remember to swallow for full benefits).
- For Upset Stomach: Mix three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water to alleviate stomach discomfort.
- Benefit: Provides relief for various ailments using natural methods.
4. Clean Produce:
- How: Instead of using dish soap, rub fruits and vegetables with plain white vinegar and rinse them under cold water.
- Benefit: Effectively cleans produce without leaving chemical residues.
5. Deodorize:
- How: Spray vinegar into the air of a room to neutralize odors. You can also place a bowl of white vinegar in your car overnight to absorb unpleasant smells such as from cigarettes or food.
- Benefit: Removes odors and freshens the air naturally.
Next time you’re at the grocery store, grab a bottle of vinegar and put these tips to use for a cleaner, healthier home.