Special note: always spot test any home concoctions first before general use.

Remove calcium build-up- for kettles and electric jugs; boil the kettle with half a cup of white vinegar and leave to soak for a while. Rinse with fresh water, re-boil with same and your kettle should now be calcium deposit free.

Remove odours- Place a small container of vinegar in your toilet and bathroom to eliminate odors. A half cup of vinegar added to a toilet bowl left overnight removes bowl odor. The smell of the vinegar will also dissipate overnight.

Healing injuries- A cotton ball soaked in vinegar and applied to bruises for an hour is said to speed up the healing process.

Pain Killer- Vinegar on minor burns and many assorted stings can alleviate pain.

Clean your dishwasher- Add a couple of frozen vinegar ice cubes tot he bottom of the dishwasher just prior to a cycle is an effective alternative to using heavy chemical cleaners.

Clean paintbrushes- Old, stiff paintbrushes can be revived by dipping them into heated white vinegar for a couple of hours, followed by a rinse in soapy water. Beats using turpentine!

Wash nappies- Vinegar can be used as a nappy soak; simply add half a cup of white vinegar to the water in the nappy bucket.

Weed Killer- Spray it neat onto the leaves of weeds, being careful to avoid plants you wish to keep. A mix of vinegar and salt can be used to keep weeds and grass out of driveway cement joins.

Disinfectant- Vinegar can be used as a benchtop disinfectant; but it's a good idea to wipe over at night to dissipate the smell.

Prevents staining- For pet owners, white vinegar poured onto pet urine mishaps on carpets, then blotted up with paper towel will prevent staining and odour. Save money on washing pre-spray by spraying neat vinegar on deodorant and other stains on garments just prior to washing.

Cleans shower screens- Spray a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water onto soap scum on shower screens, leave sit then wipe or rinse off. Vinegar can also be used as a glass cleaner either mixed with water or used neat in a spray bottle.

Kills Mould- Vinegar sprayed onto mould affected bathroom/shower tiles will kill the mould.

Fabric Softener-used as a fabric softener by adding half the amount of vinegar as you would of your usual softening agent.

Hair conditioner-A tablespoon of vinegar can be used as a replacement for hair conditioner.

Polish- Use full strength vinegar to polish chrome and stainless steel.

Clean iron- Use 50/50 vinegar and water, add the mixture to your iron and allow it to steam itself clean.

Clear drains- Pour boiling white vinegar down a clogged drain to remove the obstruction.

Deodoriser- Used in an fine atomizer, vinegar is effective as room deodorizer.

Ant Repellent- Ants hate vinegar; so spray it around doorways and other areas they frequent to repel them.