50 Amazing Vinegar Uses in Garden and Homes

Discover the 50 most Amazing Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes that can be of a lot of help to you all year round!

Vinegar is a natural product and has hundreds of uses in the home. But do you know it can make gardening easier for you? Have a look at the best Vinegar Uses in the Garden as Well as Home that you must have never heard of before.

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Vinegar Uses in the Garden

1. Clean Clay Pots

As these pots age, they absorb calcium, minerals, and salts from water and fertilizers, all making them look ugly. You can clean them easily using vinegar and water solution. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes.

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2. Remove Weeds on Walls, Walkways, and Driveway

Using vinegar is a great way to eliminate weeds and grass that pop up on the walls of your garden or from the crevices of the walkway and sidewalk. To kill them, simply spray the place with pure white vinegar or pour some over them.

3. Get Rid of Ants

Vinegar is very effective in getting rid of ants. To repel ants, mix equal amounts of water and vinegar (either white or apple cider) and spray the solution on the ant hills in your garden.

See effective more ideas to repel ants here

4. Keep Animals Away from the Garden

Many animals, including common garden destroyers like rodents, moles, cats, dogs, rabbits, and deer, loathe the strong scent of vinegar.

You can keep these unwanted visitors from the garden by soaking several old clothes in white vinegar and placing them on stakes around your garden where they usually come most.

Resoak the clothes about every 6-7 days regularly for better results.

5. Extend the Life of Cut Flowers

You can use vinegar to extend the life of cut flowers: Add one or two tablespoons of white vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar per liter of water. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes.

6. Kill Weeds

Vinegar is a great weed killer and can be used for effective weed control. Spraying it kills weeds within 2-3 days after application. It is one of the most Amazing Vinegar Uses in the Garden.

Here is how to kill weeds using vinegar

7. Vinegar Garden Insect Spray

To create a vinegar spray that works on garden insects, combine three parts of water with 1/2 part of vinegar in a spray bottle and add half a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Shake the spray bottle to mix the contents thoroughly before use in the garden.

You can increase the quantity of vinegar up to one part to increase the efficacy of this vinegar insect spray.

8. Deter Fruit Flies

Save your fruit crops from the fruit flies, and make bait using vinegar. For this, you’ll need a cup of water, half a cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1 tbsp of molasses.

Mix it all and put that solution in an empty container or tin can, and hang it on the affected fruit tree. You’ll see how it will attract and trap them.

9. Make Acid Loving Plants Happy

Keep acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, gardenias, or azaleas happy with vinegar. Although its effect is temporary, you can give a quick acid boost to plants with vinegar. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes.

Mix a cup of white vinegar with a gallon of water and water acid-loving plants with this solution.

10. Clean Rust from Garden Tools

Vinegar can be used to make garden tools rust-free. Just spray or soak the tools in undiluted vinegar and leave them for a few minutes, and then rinse and clean the tool.

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11. Save Plants from Fungus

You can protect the plants suffering from fungus and mold; the vinegar fungicide recipe is simple and easy–Add two teaspoons of vinegar to brewed chamomile tea and spray this on the affected plants in your garden.

Alternatively, you can add one tablespoon of white or apple vinegar to a gallon of water and spray it on infected parts. Not just this one, you can check out more homemade fungicide recipes here!

12. Kill Slugs and Snails

Of many uses of vinegar, this one is getting popular among gardeners. You can kill snails and slugs with the help of vinegar as it contains acetic acid–it works.

Just spray it directly on them and on the areas where you spot them, but beware not to soak your plants.

13. Facilitate Germination

When it comes to the vinegar uses, we could not miss this one–to facilitate germination, soak the seeds overnight in water and vinegar solution. Don’t pour too much vinegar, as adding just a few drops of white vinegar will do the trick.

Not only will the seeds germinate quickly, but the probability of germination will also increase.

Learn more about how vinegar can increase seed germination here

14. Outdoor Furniture Cleaning

Outdoor furniture is more susceptible to degradation, damage, and buildup compared to the indoors. After all, it’s exposed to all the adverse conditions like rain, frost, sun, dust, and whatnot!

You can save the time and effort that scrubbing will take by wiping the furniture with a cloth soaked in vinegar to clean it. Vinegar is an effective cleanser that eliminates the buildup and germs simultaneously. For best results, do this regularly.

15. Clean Birdbaths

Not keeping the birdbaths clean can turn your act of kindness into a disaster. The water might be contaminated by harmful pathogens, which severely affect the health of the bird.

Weekly scrubbing with white vinegar keeps the birdbath in optimum condition and as good as new. Also, it keeps germs, unwanted odors, and algae growth at bay.

16. Remove Water Lines

The formation of water lines on old vases is a common occurrence that diminishes the beauty of the otherwise beautiful vase. It can be a glass vase or a vintage glass container that has not been cleaned in a long time. Hence, mineral deposits form white lines or film.

To remove that, take half a tablespoon of salt and make its paste by adding an equal quantity of white vinegar. Rub this gently on the vase and leave it undisturbed for around 10-15 minutes. Wipe it clean with a paper towel, sponge, or bottle brush. It’s that simple!

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17. Get Rid of Berry Stains

Harvesting berries takes a toll on the hands as they get stained. If you have a berry stain on your hands, you already know how hard it can become to clean it up.

Use distilled white vinegar to wash your hands, as that’ll get rid of the berry stains quickly and gently without making the skin dry, dull, and bruised.

18. Repel Snakes

As you already know, white vinegar has a pungent odor, and snakes abhor it due to this. The best way to apply it is to spray a white vinegar solution on the perimeter of your garden and especially on any entrances snakes can find on your property. Also, learn about the best plants that repel snakes here!

Note: This trick is only useful when you must do something quickly to ward off the snake.

19. Refresh Wilted Harvest

If your leafy greens have been lying around for some time and start to wilt away after harvest, mix cold water and 2 teaspoons of vinegar and toss the vegetables and leafy greens in that. Leave for a couple of hours and watch them perk right up.

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20. Make Your Alkaline Soil Neutral

Most plants grow in neutral soil, so if your soil is alkaline, try this hack. Add 2-6 tablespoons of plain vinegar to a gallon of water.

The exact quantity depends upon the result you’ll get after testing the water using a pH meter. Once you successfully acidify your water, pour it into a watering can and water the plants.

Note: You can not do this regularly, as too much vinegar can harm the plants.

21. Run a Soil Test

This is one of our favorite Vinegar Uses in Gardens if you want to check the soil pH? Run a quick test by putting a little soil in a container and adding half a cup of vinegar to it.

If you can see the vinegar is forming bubbles, the soil is alkaline. It happens because vinegar is too acidic in nature. You can learn more about it here!

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22. Remove Calcium Buildup from Garden Bricks and Concrete

Most gardeners know how cleaning up the bricks could be tricky without scraping off a layer. But vinegar is an easy, natural way to get rid of the calcium and lime deposits from garden bricks and concrete.

You can add one cup of white vinegar to every gallon of water in a bucket and then dip a scrubbing brush to scrub the spot. After the area is clean, wash away the calcium and lime.

23. Treat a Pond

Clean a pond well before you add plants and fish to it, or even think of taking a dip (if you wish). To sanitize the pond, add one gallon of white distilled vinegar to every 200 gallons of water.

Leave the added vinegar in the pond water for 3-4 days. Then, drain it all out and wash it thoroughly for a cleaner pond.

24. Turn Pink Hydrangeas Blue!

The acidity of the vinegar can turn your pink hydrangeas into blue. Just add half to one cup of white vinegar in every one gallon of water you add to dilute it and pour it on around your hydrangeas. You can do this occasionally, but beware; this trick is not for regular use!

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25. Catch Moths

Tiny moth larvae can consume at least one leaf a day from their favorite plants. Place a blend of 1 part molasses and 2 parts white distilled vinegar in a container and hang it on a strategic spot to lure and catch them.

26. Clean Mirrors in Greenhouse and Garden

Glasses in the greenhouse and those beautiful mirrors installed in your garden tend to get stains and dust quite quickly.

Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 2-3 drops of dawn dish soap, and spray directly on the glass. Wipe off the dirt easily with a soft cloth or dry paper towels.

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27. Clean Paintbrushes

If you are spending time painting your planters or any other item in your garden but slacking off to cleaning the brushes afterward, do this–let the paint brushes sit in the hot vinegar for 30 minutes. Rinse well with water afterward.

28. Heal Cuts

If you’ve got a small cut or wound from working in the garden, you can use vinegar to heal it. Soak clean gauze in a mix of 1 tablespoon of plain white vinegar and 1 cup of boiled water.

Squeeze out the excess liquid from the gauze and place it over the wound for 5-10 minutes. It is one of the most Amazing Vinegar Uses in the Garden.

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29. Get Rid of Poison Ivy

Poison ivy can ruin your garden and also cause allergies to you and your pets. If you’re planning to remove this plant from your garden, make a spray recipe by adding 1 cup of white vinegar with two teaspoons salt and three spoons of dawn dish soap.

30. Get Rid of Tree Sap

Tree sap often sticks on the skin while trimming plants and trees, and thankfully, you can clear up messy hands with the help of vinegar. Soak a cloth with vinegar and rub it vigorously against the tree sap. Repeat the process if necessary.

31. Clean BBQ Grills

Vinegar can be used to clean and remove grease and food residue from your BBQ grills. To do this, mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle.

Spray the mixture onto the grill grates and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a wire brush to scrub the dirt and grime, then rinse with water and let it dry. It is one of the most Amazing Vinegar Uses in the Garden.

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32. Remove Moss from Garden Paths

Moss can make garden paths slippery and dangerous. Vinegar is an effective way to kill moss without harming surrounding plants.

Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to the mossy area. Wait for a few hours, and then remove the dead moss with a stiff broom or scraper.

33. Clean Outdoor Solar Lights and Light Fixtures

Outdoor solar lights and light fixtures can collect dirt and grime over time, reducing their effectiveness. Vinegar can be used to clean and restore them to their original condition. Combine 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2 cups of water, and 1/2 teaspoon of any dish detergent in a spray bottle.

Then, use the blend to spray the light fixture and let it sit for some minutes. Use a soft cloth or brush to scrub the surface gently, then rinse with water and let it dry. This will remove any dirt, grime, or stains and make your lights shine brightly once again.

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Vinegar Uses in the Home

34. Insect Salve

If you have a bug bite, try applying a dab of white vinegar to help reduce the itchiness and disinfect the area. Just ensure not to use vinegar on any bites with raw skin.

If you’re dealing with swarms of insects, apple cider vinegar can work as a natural insect repellent – rub some on your arms and legs.

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35. Get Rid of Pit Stains

If you’re dealing with pit stains on your clothes, rub some distilled white vinegar into the stains and launder them as usual.

Be sure to check that the stains are gone before tossing the shirt into the dryer. If they’re still there, re-treat the stains and set the shirt in the sun to bleach the offending marks.

36. Stop Eggs from Cracking

When cooking eggs, adding two teaspoons of vinegar to each quart of water before boiling can help prevent them from cracking and make them easier to peel afterward.

37. Remove Bad Odors

If you’re dealing with unpleasant smoke odors, like those caused by burned popcorn, cigarettes, or fire damage, you can easily remove the smell by placing bowls of distilled white or cider vinegar around the room.

You can dampen a cloth with vinegar and wave it around for immediate relief. And if you don’t like the smell of vinegar, adding a few drops of lavender oil can help! You can also add a few drops of other essential oils that you like.

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38. Care for Your Car

Did you know that vinegar can also be helpful when caring for your car? You can use it to remove bumper stickers and decals from chrome, wipe or spray your car windows with it in winter to keep frost at bay, and even wipe off your windshield wiper blades to maintain their cleaning action.

39. Open Tight Jars

Need to open a tight jar? Pour warm distilled white vinegar near the brim and the lid of the pot and turn it upside down. Wait a minute and then try again, the lid should loosen easily.

40. Clean Scissors

Vinegar can also clean rusty scissors if you soak it in white vinegar, learn more in details here.

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41. Get Shiny Hair

Looking to give your hair some extra shine? Mix 1-2 tablespoons of organic white or apple cider vinegar with 4-5 cups of water and pour it over your head after shampooing.

Massage it into your roots and rinse thoroughly to eliminate any smell. While this mixture is safe for color-treated hair, it’s best to use it once a week.

42. Enhance Brickwork

If your brickwork or fireplace looks dingy, you can make it shine again by spraying it with a combination made by combining equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water.

Spray this on the bricks, let it sit for several minutes, then wipe it off with a cloth or scrub brush. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes.

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43. Clean the Dog’s Ears

If your dog’s ears are dirty, mix four tablespoons of water and one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar and apply it to their ears with a clean rag or tissue.

But be careful not to use this on any cuts in their ears. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in the Home.

44. Restore Your Rugs

If your rugs or carpets look faded, try cleaning them with a broom dipped in one cup of white vinegar in one gallon (3.7 liters) of water.

No need to rinse off the solution – just let it work its magic! To prevent mildew from forming on the bottoms of your rugs and carpeting, mist them with vinegar using a spray bottle.

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45. Remove Candle Wax

If you’ve got candle wax on your furniture or floors, try softening it with a blow-dryer on its hottest setting and blotting up as much as possible with paper towels.

Then, remove the rest by rubbing with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Wipe and clean with a soft, absorbent cloth.

46. Unclog and Deodorize Drains

To unclog and deodorize your drains, use a funnel to pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar into the drain. When the foaming subsides, flush with hot tap water.

Wait five minutes, and then flush again with cold water. This technique clears blockages and washes away odor-causing bacteria while being gentle on your pipes and wallet.

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47. Clean Your Window Blinds

Clean the window blinds with this quick and easy vinegar fix. Just put a white cotton glove and dip your fingers in a solution of vinegar and warm water of equal amounts.

Slide the fingers across the blinds and witness how all the blinds light up. Just clean the glove in clean water after every 3-4 times. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes.

48. Revitalize Wood Paneling

If your wood paneling looks dull, bring it back to life by mixing 1 pint of warm water with four tablespoons of white or apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of olive oil in a container.

Give the mixture a few shakes and apply it to the paneling with a clean cloth. Allow the mixture to soak into the wood for several minutes before polishing it with a dry cloth. Your wood paneling will look revitalized and refreshed in no time!

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49. Wipe Off Wax or Polish Buildup

To wipe away wax or polish buildup on wood furniture or leather tabletops, dip a cloth in equal parts vinegar and water and clean away the buildup, moving with the grain.

For leather tabletops, a soft cloth dipped in a solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water should do the trick. It is one of the best Vinegar Uses in Gardens and Homes.

50. Clean Your Piano Keys

Want to clean your piano keys without ruining them? Just dip a soft cloth into a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar mixed with 2 cups water.

Squeeze the excess solution out and then use the cloth to clean each key gently. Just use another clean cloth to dry the keys and watch the magic happen after 24 hours. Remember to leave the keys uncovered for the next day for the effect to take place.

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