This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at South Carolina chapter.
Of course, we all know vinegar can spice up an Italian sub, but did you also know that vinegar has a few more uses tucked up its sleeve? World War I soldiers used it to heal wounds. Helen of Troy bathed in it for relaxation. Cleopatra even dissolved her pearls in it in order to eat her fortune in one meal. Not only is vinegar essential in our kitchens, it has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Take a look at forty ways this timeless ingredient might just win the award for Most Fascinating Item in Our Pantries:
- Add to cooking liquids that tenderize meat
- Add to boiling water to reduce pasta’s stickiness
- Kill bacteria by washing vegetables and fruits with it
- In case your grandma comes into town, use it to clean dentures
- Forget the salt, use a little vinegar on your sandwiches instead.
- Deodorize microwaves and refrigerators.
- If you finally decided to clean your room, seven months into the school year, use it to get rid of scum, fungus, and mildew
- Add to egg whites and whip to create a fluffy meringue
- Mix into wash cycle to remove lint on clothes
- If leafy greens aren’t your thing, sprinkle some on boiled vegetables for a non-disgusting taste
- Pat on sunburns for relief
- Use to shine pennies (when you’re procrastinating from writing that history paper)
- Spray as air freshener on your roommate’s grungy laundry pile
- Sprinkle to flavor potato chips (Mmmmm. . .)
- If you’re hiding man’s best friend in your dorm room, spray on dogs to keep them from barking
- Wrap cheese in damp paper towels for preservation (and say no thank you to mold)
- Use to erase pen marks on hard surfaces
- Add to boiled water to prevent eggs from cracking
- Massage into your scalp in the shower to relieve dandruff
- Use to remove berry stains from last night’s pancake eating contest
- Spray to kill weeds
- Use it wipe windows clean
- Apply to hands to remove onion smell
- Spray apples and potatoes to slow down browning
- In case your weekend trip to Riverbanks leaves you the path of a skunk, spray vinegar to de-stink
- Use to pickle foods
- Spray on plants to keep cats from ruining them
- Use it to clean the fish bowl above your fridge that you forgot about
- Use as a condiment for fish and chips
- Polish stainless steel or copper pots
- Use as an ingredient to transform milk to buttermilk
- (Because you’ve used the excuse “there’s snow on my car” in South Carolina way too many times) spray on cars to keep frost off of the windshield
- Drink some apple cider vinegar to soothe a sore throat
- Swish in your mouth to remove bad breath
- Spray to get rid of anthills
- Wash dishes with it to remove grease
- Replace lemon with vinegar
- Mix with wine to add flavor
- Fill your steam iron with water and vinegar to clean it
- Use as a foot wash to get rid of odor