From cleaning jewelry to fighting stubborn stains, vodka has many handy uses -- other than pepping up your Bloody Mary! We've rounded up some unusual ways to put your bottom-shelf vodka to good use all around your house.
Vodka: not just for martinis anymore. Photo: Getty Images
Whether on the rocks, straight up or mixed in with your favorite cocktail,
vodka has a reputation for being the life of the party. But make no mistake, this versatile spirit is more than just a one-trick pony. Thanks to its basic mixture of pure alcohol and water, vodka can be used as a strong household cleaner, pesticide and so much more. Bonus: it's a non-toxic alternative to many traditional products and chemicals.
Use Vodka for Stain Removal
Vodka can banish three of the most stubborn
fabric stains known to man: ink, grass and lipstick. For ink and grass stains, dip a clean cloth in vodka and rub spot. Rinse thoroughly. Lipstick on your collar? Blot stain with vodka, then launder in your regular
wash.
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Use Vodka to Clean Mold and Mildew
Instead of using toxic chemicals, fill a spray bottle with vodka to kill mold and mildew and
knock out soap scum. On caulk and grout,
spritz moldy areas and let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub area with an old toothbrush, tile/grout brush or nylon scouring-pad. Rinse thoroughly. For bathroom tiles, spray vodka and let sit for 5-10 minutes; then wash clean.
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Use Vodka to Preserve Fresh Flowers
Plants all produce ethylene, a ripening gas that promotes maturation. Vodka stunts ethylene production, thereby helping flowers stay wilt-free longer. To keep store-bought
flowers fresh, snip an inch off of each stem, add two teaspoons of vodka and one teaspoon sugar. Stir well and repeat this process every few days.
Use Vodka as a Chemical-Free Weed Killer
With help from the sun's heat, the alcohol content in vodka destroys unwanted broad-leaf weeds -- such as dandelions, chickweed and wild onion -- by breaking down their waxy-cuticle coverings. This action dehydrates and dries plants out. Remove weeds by filling a spray bottle with an ounce of vodka, several drops of liquid dish soap, and two cups of water. On a sunny day, spritz weeds with the solution until dripping wet.
Tip: Direct sunlight is needed for this technique to work, as weeds in the shade won't dry out.
Use Vodka as an Adhesive Remover
Remove the glue left behind by bumper stickers and price labels with a clean cloth soaked in vodka. Rub over the sticky area for easy removal.
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Use Vodka to Clean Chrome, Glass and Jewelry
Vodka is effective at making dull bathroom fixtures, chandeliers, eyeglasses, windowpanes and even precious gemstones (only stones that are a crystal, such as diamonds) sparkle like new.
- For chandeliers: Moisten a clean
microfiber cloth with vodka and rub over dusty surfaces. Alternatively, you can spritz the chandelier with a solution of one cup water and one teaspoon of vodka in a spray bottle. Lay a drop cloth on the floor to catch drips.
- For chrome: Soak a soft, clean cloth with vodka and shine.
- For eyeglasses: Dip a clean, lint-free cloth in vodka and rub each lens (back and front) until clear.
- For jewelry: Measure out one-fourth cup vodka in a shallow drinking glass or bowl. Drop in jewelry and let soak for 5-10 minutes. Rinse and dry.
Tip: Do
NOT clean pearls, opals and other porous stones via this method.
- For windowpanes: Mix one cup water and one teaspoon vodka in a spray bottle. Spritz on windows and wipe clean with paper towels or a clean microfiber cloth.
Use Vodka as an All-Natural Pesticide
Also known as plant lice, aphids are tiny soft-bodied insects that suck the nutrient-rich sap from the stems of plants. To keep aphids off of plants add four cups water, four teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and four teaspoons vodka in a large spray bottle. Shake well and spritz areas where you
spot infestations.
Use Vodka to Eliminate Odors
Vodka
eradicates foul stenches -- and doesn't leave a scent when it dries. For an odorless air freshener, mix one part vodka with three parts water in a small spray bottle. Spritz area and let dry.
Have you tried any of these methods? What other household items have you found unusual uses for?
SEE ALSO:
Out of Vodka? Beer Can Be Handy Too
Unusual Uses for Alka-Seltzer
Vodka: Surprising Use for Laundry
And The Winner Is?
Make A Rustic Sawhorse Table For Under $40
Reader comments (Page 1 of 3)
Add vodka to pie dough instead of water. Water makes the gluten in flour congeal – great when making bread but the enemy of pie crusts. The alcohol in the vodka evaporates quickly, adding to the effect that you want, i.e., to trap shortening between layers of dough to create flakiness.
ReplyI had this terrible clogged drain. Pour in some Vatka, cleans the pipes right out (no I didn't use it as a drain cleaner). Drink it only, use the correct product on each application. One part Vatka to one part liquid oxygen, is secret to Sputnik and Soyuz you darling you...Al-
THANKS!! I never would have thought of that!
Don't most of these also just apply to alcohol in general? I know alcohol is the best way to get rid of permanent ink, for example.
ReplyYes Kevin, but rubbing alcohol is poisonous due to the denaturing process. Vodka isn't. I make air freshener with Vodka and pure food grade essential oils, it is wonderful.
I should think it would also take the hide off a crocodile.
ReplyLOL... if I ever need to "denude" a crocodile, I will give vodka a try!
Vodka is useful when dating a Coyote Ugly person!
ReplyI've always wondered why my wife thought i was beautiful, then i thought she was an alkie when the bills kept comming in from the liqour store, thought she was having an affair with the owner if the store. two bottles a day??? now she's down to one. maybe I am looking better or she's running out of money......lololol
Vodka can be used when dating someone that is Coyote Ugly, Can make a frog into a prince etc.
ReplyVodka is in several recipes I've seen for homemade antibacterial hand gel. But you're right, alcohol can be used the same way, and it's probably cheaper.
ReplyWhen relatives come to visit, I drink several vodka screwdrivers. The ugly ones look better, and the rest sound better.
ReplyLOL
Mine are still ugly and mouthy, but with vodka, I don't care so much.
I once found myself in a hotel where the bathroom didn't look too clean. I took our bottle of vodka and cleaned the toilet, toilet seat, sink and bathtub. The room looked and smelled 100% cleaner. My husband thought I was a genius.
ReplyIt wouldn't take a genius to know you demand a maid or change hotels.
Until he realized that he had to spend the rest of the night with you without the benefit of "attitude adjustment".
Great idea! Next time you buy vodka to imbibe tell your wife your not drinking, just killing the weeds in the yard. LOL.....
Replymy neighbors would think i was crazy, id be outside with one of those pesticide sprayers spraying the weed then spraying it in my mouth! :)
ReplyMy dog drank antifreeze. My vet told me the best thing to do is give the dog vodka because vodka binds to the antifreeze and helps it pass through the dog safely. It needs to be done right away before the antifreeze gets into the dog's system. We discovered what was making my dog sick too late for the vodka, but I thought it would be good for other dog owners to know about in case their pet gets into antifreeze. By the way, my puppy survived thanks to a super vet and is a healthy dog today!
Reply