That’s The Spirit! 6 Household Uses For Vodka

Household uses…for vodka?

That’s right!

Vodka isn’t just for cocktails: It removes mold, brightens clothes, and kills pests (yes, really).

You’ve probably heard of a lot of green-cleaning alternatives these days, but vodka may be a new one. One of the best reasons to use vodka for household chores is that, unlike many commercial cleaning supplies, it won’t leach toxins and VOCs into your home and air. It can also be cheaper than buying lots of specialized cleaning products (obviously, you want to use the bottom-shelf brands).

Here are just a few of the many ways that vodka can be put to use…

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1. Kill mold and mildew

Eliminate nasty mold and mildew in your bathroom using vodka. Fill a spray bottle with the bottom-shelf stuff and spritz it on all problem areas. Let it work its vodka magic for about 10 minutes, then scrub away the musty gunk using a rag or sponge.

2. Clean glass

Give all of the glass surfaces in your home (windows, mirrors, glass coffee tables) a spotless shine. Use a spray bottle to squirt a mist of vodka onto the glass surface. Buff the glass with a bunched up newspaper and watch all fingerprint smudges and other stains disappear to a streak-free gleam.

Before pouring some friends a round of martinis dab a small amount of your cheap vodka on a cloth and use it to polish away water stains from glasses. Then fill ‘er up with the tasty stuff.

3. Freshen clothes

Uh oh. You want to wear your favorite shirt, but that bar you had drinks at the other night left it smelling a bit pungent. Never fear. Use vodka to remove odors without tossing anything in the wash. Mist the garment with diluted vodka using a spray bottle. The liquor will eliminate any musty odors and won’t leave a scent once it dries. Vodka works like Febreeze, minus the nasty chemicals. Spray it on upholstery, curtains and rugs to destroy odors. You can also use vodka to remove stains.

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4. Remove residue and adhesives

Ever wasted too many minutes of your life futilely trying to remove sticky glues and other adhesives from price tags, product labels and stickers? Get rid of the stubborn gunk forever by drenching the gummy substance in vodka. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a bit of elbow grease to scrub away the goo.

5. Clean fixtures

In the same way that vodka shines glass, it will return your chrome and porcelain fixtures to their original luster. Apply a small amount of this handy booze to a cloth, just enough to dampen it. Then get to work, polishing all of the handles, faucets and knobs around your home.

6. Kill and prevent unwanted household pests.

A diluted vodka spray can be used to kill ants and other common household insects. Houseplants can be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth and then wiped with diluted vodka to prevent aphid infestations. You can also use vodka to kill weeds. Combine 1 oz. of vodka, 2 cups of water and a bit of dish soap. Spray on weeds. These uses for vodka can keep your home free of unwanted visitors.