Natural Uses for Distilled White Vinegar

If your household is like millions of others, you have one of the most environmentally versatile and economical items in your pantry: white distilled vinegar. Purer than its non-distilled counterparts, you can keep white distilled vinegar indefinitely without compromising its safety or usefulness, even if you notice some discoloration or sediment. You can safely use distilled white vinegar for many daily household activities, and also take it internally.

Natural Topical Treatments

• Add white distilled vinegar to bath water to relieve dry, itchy skin.

  Use full strength distilled white vinegar for relief from bee or jelly fish stings and sunburn; chill vinegar before applying to more serious burns for immediate relief and to prevent blisters. Mix approximately 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 cups of warm water for a dandruff rinse. Immerse yourself in a bath with 2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar added to relieve your dry or itchy skin -- make a paste to apply to severe itchy spots. Soaking your feet in a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water can soften them, resolve fungal issues and even remove warts if done daily.

Natural Internal Health Uses

• Mix distilled white vinegar with water to sooth a sore throat, with or without honey. Gargle and then drink the mixture, repeating hourly. To avoid harming dental enamel with vinegar's acidic properties, you should always take it with water or rinse your mouth thoroughly. If you are prone to heartburn, white vinegar may cause you additional discomfort. Adding approximately 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar to a vaporizer or steaming pot of water and inhaling the steam can relieve chest congestion and sinus infections.

Natural Household Cleaning

• Use distilled white vinegar to clean your home safely and naturally. Add to warm water for cleaning no-wax floors, windows, walls, blinds, and woodwork. Mix with detergent to remove carpet stains, and with olive oil to remove water and alcohol stains on wood. Automatic coffee makers clogged by hard water mineral deposits can be cleared by running vinegar through the cycle, and rinsing with water. It will also unclog faucets, showerheads and steam iron vents. If you freeze vinegar in ice cube trays, you can put the cubes down your garbage disposal to keep odors at bay and keep the system clean. Use vinegar to clean kitchen appliances inside and out, disinfect countertops and cutting boards and clean your entire bathroom. Make a paste with vinegar, salt and flour for a brass, copper and pewter polish.

Yard and Other Household Uses

• Cleaning with white distilled vinegar can serve as a deterrent to ants, and mixing in a spray bottle with dish soap and water can serve as a natural bug repellent. Get rid of unwanted grass and weeds by pouring undiluted white distilled vinegar over them and it will increase soil acidity. Adding white distilled vinegar to your pet's water bowl can prevent fleas and ticks, and vinegar baths will leave your pet smelling fresh. Try using white distilled vinegar to remove stubborn bumper stickers, and spray it on DVDs, then wipe with a soft cloth, to keep them working properly.