I have a love-hate relationship with vinegar! I love vinegar for a natural alternative to so many chemical counterparts around the house and not only love its universality, but it’s affordability. But I really despise the smell – it is just a strong, pungent smell. But that biting odor is one thing that does the trick for this article on uses for vinegar outside and outdoors!
Here’s a quick list for some practical and alternative ways to use vinegar outdoors:
In the garden and yard
Make soil more acidic for those plants that thrive in this type of soil: Mix one cup of vinegar and one gallon of water for watering acid loving plants
Kill individual grasses and weed spots: Spray undiluted vinegar on the top and roots of the weed. You may need to repeat a couple of times.
Kill weeds/grasses in a larger area or on the cracks in your sidewalks: Bring 1 quart of water, 2 tablespoons of salt and 5 tablespoons of vinegar to a boil. Then immediately pour the hot mixture onto the larger areas of weeds/grasses or in the cracks of your sidewalk/driveway to kill anything growing in these areas.
Keep pests out of your garden or garden pots: Soak scrap paper, newspaper, rags, cotton balls or sponges in undiluted vinegar and place where you want pests to stay away. This would include cats and rabbits too!
Liven/refresh plants: Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sugar and then 1 quart of water to a spray bottle to liven up plants.
Cleaning pots: Soak clay or plastic garden pots in undiluted vinegar to remove the mildew, hard water stains or soil stains from the pot.
Soaking fountain and sprinkler parts: Soak water fountain or sprinkler parts in undiluted vinegar to remove hard water, crusty buildup and brighten parts.
Miscellaneous Outdoor Jobs
Clean painting supplies: Soak paintbrushes and other painting equipment in vinegar to clean and soften after using!
Make a degreaser: Mix equal parts vinegar and water.
Clean tools: Soak tools in undiluted vinegar and they will be cleaned, degreased and shine brightly.
Stop ants from entering your home or outdoor areas: Wipe or spray undiluted vinegar in ant entry points, down anthills and doorway crevices.
Cleaning plastic furniture: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar with a quart of water in a spray bottle or bucket to clean plastic outdoor furniture or toys.
Natural bug catcher: Make a natural bug catcher by mixing 2 parts of vinegar and 1 part of molasses or honey and place in an old can or something for the bugs to land or climb into
Aluminum siding cleaner: Spray equal parts of vinegar and water on your aluminum siding and then spray down with hose for house cleaner
Metal surfaces cleaner: Wipe metal on house, vehicles, tools and more with undiluted vinegar to clean and brighten up!
For The Car
Car Deodorizer: Leave a bowl of undiluted vinegar in the car overnight to soak up all of the odors from spills, sickness and just the smells vehicles accumulate.
Bumper Sticker Remover: Use a cloth or spray undiluted vinegar onto the bumper sticker to make it easy to remove.
Window cleaner: Mix 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle and use like regular window cleaner.
Camping and outdoor activities use
Improve Performance of Propane Lanterns: Soak new propane lantern wicks in vinegar for several hours. Let dry before using. Will burn longer and brighter.
Cleaning coolers and other camping and outdoor items: Use undiluted vinegar to rid of smells and clean it. Soak with undiluted vinegar for the nasty smells.
Clean BBQ Grill: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in spray bottle and spray on the grill grates. Let soak in and dry and then use an undiluted spray of vinegar to scrub and scrub with aluminum foil!
Insect repellant: When camping or out in the wilderness, spray your tent or camping gear with vinegar as a natural repellant.
Sunburn relief: If you have a sunburn, relieve the pain by lightly rubbing or even spraying white or cider vinegar on the area and reapply as often as needed.
The best part is that it is natural, cheap and you can’t go wrong using it. I am sure that there are many more ideas – what ideas do you have? Share in the comments below!
Now the fun part is that you can download and print this list to hang in your garage, utility room or in your home binder to have quick access to it!
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<== Download your printable list HERE. |
Do you have any ideas to share? Please leave your comments below for us all to get more ideas. We would love to hear from you!
Disclaimer: As with all homemade solutions, remember to always test a small hidden area first.
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I wish i could pin this on pinterest!!
Hi Nikki, you should be able to use our Pinterest pin button at the top of the post or click here to view our own pin and then re-pin it. Please let us know if you have any issue with it. Thanks! ~Alex
I didn’t know that about vinegar and acid loving plants. I could have really used that knowledge last year when I kept killing one of my plants
It’s a great list,
Thanks for sharing!
When you finish a jar of pickles, use the liquid to pour on your acid loving plants like azaleas, rose of sharon, etc. It gives them a wonderful boost.
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing that additional idea!
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