10 Wacky things to do with Vinegar

On my very first trip here just over 5 years ago, i was no different than any other tourist:  I got FRIED in the sun.  My boat Capt. Boxer pulled out a small bottle.  He said the vinegar will take away the sting.  I truly thought he was teasing me, and was preparing me for a marinade, but i acquiesed, and allowed the anointing by vinegar.  While i stunk to high heaven, the sting really did go away.  Since then, i’ve come to realize in their truly ingenious, problem solving way, Belizeans have many uses for vinegar, but some people know others.  What uses do you know of that arent on this list?

Published today on www.wisebread.com

10 Weird and Wonderful Ways to Use Vinegar

What comes to mind when you think of Easter?

Baskets, probably. Or perhaps the Resurrection. Maybe even cute little bunnies.

Not for me. I think of vinegar, much more so than any other time of year. It’s used to dye the requisite hard-boiled eggs, and in my family we pour it on top of boiled cabbage at Easter dinner.

When I thought about vinegar for a moment, I knew there had to be tons of applications for the acidic accoutrement. And there are. A quick search will reveal plenty of practical ways to use it. (See also: 30 Household Products Vinegar Can Replace and 254 Uses for Vinegar)

The practical posts have been done to death, however, which is why I sent out a query to my contacts asking for unusual uses for vinegar. The responses I received were quite surprising — and one of them might have made me blush. Take a look at the tips.

1. Fix Anemic Plants

“When your large garden plants like rhododendrons and andromeda are showing signs of anemia (that would be pale leaves but darker green veins), soak rusty nails (not the Drambuie kind) or rusty anythings you might have around the garden in white vinegar for a few weeks. Then dilute the solution and pour it around the plant as far out as the leaves spread.” — David Eisner

2. Remove Salt

“Diluted vinegar is a great way to remove salt residue from suede and leather shoes.” — Allison Dent

3. Try to Have a Girl

“My friend, who is a midwife, after having two sons and desperately wanting a girl, gave herself a vinegar douche…It’s a fact — something to do with changing the chemical balance of the womb lining, which increases your chances of having a girl. It worked!” — Caroline Cheshire

4. Eliminate Sunblock Stains

“To remove sunblock stains on sheets and clothing, boil the vinegar, then dissolve baking soda in it. Dip the stained area in the mixture, set it in the sun to dry, and the stain will be removed.” — Lara Goldman

5. Banish Blood

“To remove blood, use room-temperature vinegar, dissolve baking soda, soak the stain, and rinse. Do not use warmed vinegar, as it will set the stain instead.” — Lara Goldman

6. Soothe Sunburns

“To reduce sting of sunburn, pour vinegar on it, and the sting will go away.” — Lara Goldman

7. Remove Bruises

“To make a bruise disappear, put vinegar in microwave until it’s as warm as you can take it. Put sea salt in the vinegar and soak a cloth. Compress for five to seven minutes or until the cloth cools. The bruise will go away.” — Lara Goldman

8. Settle Your Stomach

“The best use for vinegar: Use it instead of antacids. A couple of tablespoons will help your digestion. My friends who have used antacids have confirmed this. Furthermore, a couple tablespoons will stabilize your blood sugar.” — Susan Schenck

9. Define Dye

“Half to one cup of distilled white vinegar in your laundry helps set the dye on clothing the first time you wash the item. Works great for dark denim.” — Leslie Crook

10. Eliminate Epoxy

“Boat builders use vinegar to clean up uncured epoxy.” — Dana Carini