Whoever said, “You can attract more flies with honey than you can with vinegar” obviously didn’t know what we know today about the multi-faceted properties of a simple product like vinegar. From nutrition to medicinal and household uses, the uses of vinegar are virtually limitless.

Let’s consider a few of those uses here:

Condition Those Tresses

Imagine that! Say goodbye to all those expensive hair care products that line your bathroom shelf, and hello to one simple product that has the power to give you silky, shiny hair that is free from buildup. Apple cider vinegar is easily accessible and it works like a charm. Simply add a half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water, pour over freshly shampooed hair, and rinse. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture to avoid smelling like an antipasto salad.

Weed Killer A few stray weeds that pop up in an otherwise perfectly manicured lawn, vegetable garden, or flower bed can drive a person batty. Weed killer can be both expensive and harmful to pets. Believe it or not, vinegar will actually kill your unwanted weeds without causing harm to Fido, Fluffy, or the other little creatures that live in your lawn, garden, or flower beds. In fact, vinegar made particularly for horticulture use contains 25% acetic acid, and is even stronger than store-bought vinegar.

Pit Stain Remover There is nothing more embarrassing than underarm perspiration stains, never mind what it costs to have those nasty things removed from your clothing! And if you use an antiperspirant containing aluminum you are even more likely to develop perspiration stains due to the chemical reaction that takes place between the salt in the sweat and the aluminum compounds in the deodorant. To remove perspiration stains from clothing, simply spray the area with white vinegar before washing, and the stain will disappear.

Heal a Sore Throat Another “Who knew?” remedy: Sipping or gargling some warm water mixed with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar can soothe a sore throat. Add a tablespoon of honey (local and organic honey have the most health benefits) to this mixture to kick up both its effectiveness and taste!

Soak Sore Muscles Apple cider vinegar can actually remove the lactic acid (you know, the stuff that makes you so sore that you don’t ever want to exercise again) that builds up in overworked muscles. Simply mix a few tablespoons of vinegar into a cup of water, dip a washcloth into the mixture, and apply to affected area for 20 minutes.

Cure Hiccups While some doctors do not believe that hiccup cures actually work, there are countless people who would beg to differ. Why? Because they swear that vinegar is an effective cure for those pesky spasms. Although it is not exactly clear how vinegar calms and even stops the hiccups, it is worth a try.

Remove Mineral Deposits Do not let calcium and lime deposits come between you and your morning cuppa joe. Pour a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar into your coffee maker and run it through. You can also use pure vinegar in the dishwasher to clean hard water deposits. Pour vinegar on a dishrag and wipe away stains on faucet and fixtures. To unclog a showerhead, remove it from the pipe and place it in a small pot that is filled with white vinegar. Simmer for a few minutes; remove from pot, and rinse.

Prolong the Life of Cut Flowers Cut flowers can brighten up any room; unfortunately, they wilt after only a few days. To get a little more life out of your blossoms, add two tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water, and enjoy them for a few days longer.

Clean Glass, Plastic, Chrome, and Floors Mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar will cut through the grime on refrigerator shelves and walls and also eliminate the funky odors of rotten food. Undiluted vinegar will remove smudges on glass and shine a porcelain sink.

Fungal infections Athlete’s foot, toe nail fungus, and dandruff are all types of fungal infections. However, white vinegar and apple cider vinegar can both be used as a topical solution to the affected areas of the body in order to kill the fungus. If the fungus is on the foot, mix a solution of one part vinegar and five parts water and soak feet for approximately 30 minutes a day.

Tenderize and Kill Bacteria in Meat Marinate meat in apple cider vinegar, and it will be fork tender after it has been cooked. It has been reported that the vinegar in this marinade can kill bacteria that causes food-borne illnesses such as E.coli.

Follow Ranya Elguendy’s Prescription for Healthy Livng!