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Home » Cleaning » 26 Genius Vinegar Cleaning Hacks From a Cleaning Pro

26 Genius Vinegar Cleaning Hacks From a Cleaning Pro

By Julie

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

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Here are 26 amazing vinegar cleaning hacks that are going to save you time, money, and your sanity without breaking the bank, all while avoiding harmful chemicals.

vinegar and other cleaning items

Vinegar is one of my favorite go to cleaning products. It may not smell good, but I am always blown away by what a great job it does at cleaning. It's easy to find and seems to work just as as good as expensive cleaners, without the price tag. 

Some of these great hacks have now become a part of my regular cleaning routine. Please note, all of the uses of vinegar we have listed refer to white distilled vinegar and not apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains tannins that can stain, whereas white does not. 

Vinegar is a fantastic disinfectant (because of the acetic acid), it can deodorize, plus it cuts through grease. You can use it to get rid of hard water, wax on clothes, even weeds!

Don't worry, even if you don't like the smell of vinegar, you can still use these tricks. Normally the smell doesn't linger once you are finished cleaning. 

The Ultimate List of Vinegar Cleaning Hacks

Lemon Vinegar Cleaner

If you are looking for an all purpose cleaner this lemon vinegar solution is the one for you. I love to let vinegar and lemons soak for two to three weeks. Then you can mix the vinegar solution with warm water and start cleaning. Don't worry, the citrus smell takes away the vinegary odor so the area smells nice too. 

vinegar for homemade jewelry cleaner

Jewelry Cleaner

Vinegar works wonders for jewelry. I just let my rings soak in this homemade jewelry cleaner for about 10 minutes and then wash them off. They look so new and sparkly when I am finished. 

Clarifying Hair

Some people swear by using vinegar as their shampoo every day. I like to use it once every couple of months as a clarifying treatment. My hair looks much shinier, and I can really tell a difference. I recommend using equal parts water and white vinegar, then pouring it over your head. I only let it sit for a minute or two before washing it out. It removes out all the buildup that clings to your hair.

vinegar fabric softener

Fabric Softener

Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine. It will make your clothes so much softer and you won’t need to use the dryer sheets. If you are concerned about the smell in your clothes, you can try this simple DIY fabric softener that uses essential oils. I figured this hack out when I wanted to use more natural products to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals we were exposing ourselves to. 

DIY floor cleaner

Floor Cleaner

Vinegar can be a fantastic floor cleaner, especially on tile floors and vinyl. Not only does it disinfect, but it also helps to loosen up grease and grime. This homemade floor cleaner does a great job and super simple to make. I would avoid using this mixture on hardwoods. See how we care for our hardwood floors instead of using white distilled vinegar.

Clean A Diffuser

Have you noticed your diffuser isn't working as well as it once was? See how to clean a diffuser. It's a quick fix and you'll only need a few common household supplies.

Get Rid Of Odors

If you have a room with bad odors, vinegar makes a great deodorizer. Pour a cup of white vinegar in a small bowl. Let it sit for a couple of hours and poof! The smell is gone. You can also use a drop or two of lemon juice to make the area smell even better.

Clean Shower Doors

I hate dirty shower doors, but I hate scrubbing things even more! I was so excited when I discovered this no-scrub way to clean your shower door with vinegar. It takes some time but is an easy way to remove the mineral deposits and soap scum with zero scrubbing.

Sweaty Clothes

Tired of clothes that smell like sweat even after washing them? Try this simple tip to get the sweat smell out of clothes. It works great on my teenager's sweaty workout clothes!

removing wax from clothes with vinegar

Get Out Wax

If you ever end up with wax on your clothes vinegar, dish soap, and hot water can get it out. I couldn’t believe it, plus it only takes 1/2 cup of vinegar. You can see how to get wax out of your clothes here.

Clean A Shower Curtain

If you have mold or mildew on a shower curtain this easy cleaning hack is the perfect solution. Check out how to clean a vinyl shower curtain with vinegar and laundry detergent. The best part is you can do it in a washing machine so you don't make a big mess!

Clean Front Load Machine

My sister was dealing with a smelly washing machine that left her clothes smelling funky too. I was so excited when I learned this easy tip on how to clean a front load washer.  I was amazed at the difference it made. Vinegar really helped get rid of the mold and mildew to get it smelling great again.

weed killer with vinegar

DIY Weed Killer

Ok, it may not be one of the best cleaning hacks because it doesn't really clean, but vinegar works great as a DIY weed killer. You'll need 2 cups of vinegar for the recipe. Make sure you don’t get it on a plant or grass that you don’t want to kill. It will easily kill off the grass. I like to use it for the driveway and sidewalk cracks.

Clean Toilet

We have really hard water where I live, luckily I have realized that vinegar is a lifesaver when it comes to dealing with hard water. You can easily remove hard water stains from the toilet bowl. Don't forget your rubber gloves! I mean who wants to clean the toilet without those.

natural glass cleaner to clean windows

Glass Cleaner

Instead of using Windex you can make your own homemade glass cleaner. Add to a spray bottle, apply it on the windows and wipe them off with a microfiber cloth. Your windows are sparkly and clean.

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Clean your home in under 30 minutes a day with this free Weekly Cleaning printable!

Remove Hard Water

Similar to removing stains from the toilet is a trick to remove hard water stains from glasses. I love this easy vinegar cleaning hack and use it frequently. To remove coffee stains, use this 2 ingredient cleaning solution. 

cleaning peppers in vinegar

Wash Produce

The house isn't the only thing that needs cleaning. You also should clean your produce. It only takes a few minutes and gets off any dirt or grime from your fruits and veggies.

cleaning smelly water bottles with vinegar

Clean Smelly Water Bottles

Left something in your water bottle and can't figure out what to do? Check out how to clean smelly water bottles. The vinegar helps get rid of any of the smell in the water bottle. It's easy and will save you money.

Clean Shower Head

If you have hard water on your faucet or shower head, you can easily remove hard water from the shower head or faucet with vinegar. It is easy and you will get much better water pressure once you are finished.

Remove Mildew

Maybe it's because I have a swimmer, but this tip to remove mildew smell from clothes is one of my favorite hacks. I am constantly using this mixture on towels and clothes that set for too long in the locker room. You'll need full-strength vinegar, smelly clothes, and run them through a wash cycle.

homemade carpet stain remover with hydrogen peroxide

Get Rid of Carpet Stains 

Blot the stain first using a paper towel. Mix up a solution using 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water, and a few drops of grease-fighting dish soap in a bottle. Spray the stain so it's damp but not soaked. Let it sit for a few minutes. Blot again with a clean towel. Continue blotting until the stain looks like it is gone. Use a cup of water in a different spray bottle to remove the rest of the vinegar residue and smell.

how to clean limescale from faucets

Remove Limescale From Faucets 

All you'll need to get rid of that nasty limescale is a plastic bag,  lint-free cloth, a clip (or rubber band), and straight vinegar. This DIY cleaner works wonders with very little scrubbing. 

hassle free way to clean a keurig

Clean A Keurig Coffee Maker

Keurigs are awesome for making a great cup of coffee quick. Unfortunately, they often need to be cleaned. This is a great way to save some money too. The name brand descaler for coffee makers can be expensive! See how I clean my Keurig.

Clean A Clogged Drain

Clogged drain? Try vinegar and baking soda as a DIY drain cleaner. It's easy and you most likely have everything you need at home. No special trip to the store and you don't have to worry with using harmful chemicals.

Clean Your Windows

I love shiny & clean windows. One trick I have learned is to clean your windows from the outside. This easy vinegar cleaning hack will get your windows spotless looking in no time.

vinegar for hard water in washing machine

Clean The Washing Machine

Although you don't need to clean a top load machine as often, you still do need to occasionally clean the washing machine. Vinegar will help get rid of the bad smell that gets trapped in the gaskets. Once you are finished just wipe down the door and the seal with a clean cloth. We use this simple trick on a monthly basis. 

Clean The Microwave

If I don't regularly clean the microwave it becomes a nasty mess. Food stuck all over the walls. Clean the microwave using this simple mixture. I have found this is one of the easiest ways because you don't to do alot of scrubbing. Plus, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make it smell extra nice.

You will find that with a little bit of vinegar you can clean a lot of things! It's one of the best ways we have found to cut down on buying cleaning supplies and avoiding some of the harsh chemicals. 

I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite vinegar cleaning hacks. There are so many great ways to use vinegar around the house. Which are your favorite?

More Cleaning Hacks and Tips

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  • How To Clean A Pumice Stone Using 2 Ingredients
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Tricks That Will Change The Way You Clean
  • 6 Viral Cleaning Tips That Don't Really Work
  • 7 Awesome Cleaning Shortcuts
« 2 Ingredient DIY Vinegar Fabric Softener (Cheap and Natural)
The Best Way to Get the Sweat Smell Out of Clothes »
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Comments

  1. Adil says

    November 06, 2017 at 5:53 am

    Really admirable post of vinegar cleaning hacks. I never thought that vinegar can be used to clean so many things at home. I am surely going to try these practical vinegar cleaning hacks next time. Thank you for sharing great post.

  2. Lyndia Mitchell says

    October 25, 2017 at 11:23 pm

    I have recently used it for two other things. Remove rust from garden tools, an old set of horse shoes and the bolts on the trailer hitch. Soaked some in a bucket and used a paper towel soaked in vinegar on the pieces too large. The other was to remove the brassy finish from door hinges. After soaking them the brassy finish came off and they now are a nice silver color.

    • Julie says

      October 27, 2017 at 7:13 am

      Thanks for sharing! I have used lemon juice to remove rust stains but never vinegar. I will have to try vinegar next time. Thanks!

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Hi, I'm Julie! Welcome to Frugally Blonde! I love sharing my favorite cleaning tips, decluttering tricks, & household hacks. I am a certified organizational specialist with a love for cleaning!

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