White Vinegar
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White Vinegar - From Kitchen to Medicine Cabinet

| Modified on Mar 30, 2022
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An essential component of a tangy vinaigrette, white vinegar has purposes far beyond the kitchen. Ordinary household vinegar is a beneficial ingredient in many household cleaning products as well as natural remedies. From eliminating germs and infection to treating warts and cleaning floors, vinegar is a household staple.

What is White Vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as “distilled vinegar” is a clear liquid with a mildly acidic composition. Typically used in cooking and cleaning, the substance is manufactured through the process of fermentation.

The process involves exposing grain alcohols to air and allowing them to oxidize. This step produces acetic acid, which is typically then reduced with water to a solution between 5 and 8 percent alcohol. White vinegar is generally considered one of the simplest vinegars produced.

The flavor of white vinegar can be manipulated slightly depending on the type of grain used; however, wheat or corn are the most popular. The goal in production is creating a substance that is virtually flavorless and odorless.

Health Benefits of White Vinegar

While its neutral flavor and complementary acidity make it an effective ingredient in the kitchen, white vinegar’s acidic nature makes it an effective cleaning aid as well as health supplement. Plus, its nonexistent color makes it a safe, easy component to use.

Around the house, white vinegar is typically used as a cleaning agent. The acid level in the vinegar is effective for killing germs and disinfecting surfaces. It is also an effective odor neutralizer and eliminator.

Vinegar also possesses a number of health benefits. The main ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid, which is precisely the element that makes it an effective health treatment. Taken as a tonic, distilled vinegar aids in the absorption of calcium, improves digestion, strengthens bones, and boosts the immune system. The liquid can also be used topically to treat burns, eliminate infections in wounds, treat dry skin, cure dandruff, and eliminate toenail fungus.

From the kitchen to the medicine cabinet, white vinegar has uses and functions in all locations. With its mildly acidic composition, it is an effective natural cleaner and health remedy.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Broad Benefits

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Posted by Serena (North, Missouri) on 04/13/2008
 ★★★★★

White vinegar is amazing stuff! It has cured my toenail fungus, my daughter's athlete foot & my son's, & a dry, brittle hair.

I am in the process of using it for dog mites now. I have cleaned the flooring thoroughly with White vinegar/Eucalyptus oil/Tea Tree oil/Lavender for killing sarcoptic mange mites. It kills instantly. I make the solution up in my extracter with straight white vinegar & 1/4th of the essential oils added in. I have the same mixture in a spray bottle for spraying down couches, mattresses, etc. also. I am using the spray on a cottonball right now for our dog's ears. It calms them fast from scratching the mites. I'll let you know if it cures the mange when they are cured.:)

I use it to clean our counters/bathrooms, linoleum & haven't had an ant epidemic since. I've lived here for 14 years & had ants every year up to last year when I began using this spray of white vinegar. It kills germs fast!

Excellent for getting rid of yellow, stuck on grease also!

Health wise, I can't say enough about white vinegar!

Replied by Kim
(Brooklyn, Ct)
03/20/2011

I use it all the time for cleaning too! I dilute it with water & add a little Mr. Clean for an extra boost in a spray bottle. I use it on all my appliances, granite counter-tops & windows.

Fungus

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Posted by Harrier (Long Beach, CA) on 12/10/2007
 ★★★★★

The website where this was original quoted from is http://askwaltstollmd.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html

Dr Stoll doesn't mind people using his methods and letting others know. I had bad toenails and used that approach and it all cleared up. Using the two drops at the base allows the white distilled vinegar to absorb through the nail and change the PH under the nail. By using only two drops you also prevent excess moisture from remaining under the nail. You need to apply twice a day 12 hours a part. In about six weeks, you should begin to see a thin clear nail at the base. After 6 months, your nail should grow out. Once the nail grows out, you should continue applying for about three more months. The major mistake people make is forgetting to remain consistant and missing a treatment or applying to much. For that reason cotton schwabs are also recommended. One dunk for each foot. This treatment does take a while and is 100% effective if you do it corretly and have virtually no expense. For some it has taken two and a half years, most cases are cured between 9 months and a year. Once your nail is infected, Dr Stoll feels you must grow healthy nail to push out the bad nail. Another recommendation is to drink two Tablespoons of ACV with apple juice or water twice a day. This helps treat fungus. Remember white distilled vinegar on the outside and Apple Cider Vinegar orally. Not the other way around.

Fungus
Posted by Margo (New York, New York) on 08/28/2007
 ★★★★★

I hurt my big toe nail when I was 12, then it got infected. I am 30 now and for the past 18 years I removed my bit toe nail 3 times, I used a lot of different creams and took limisil twice (each time 3 months) During last five years, my second big toe got infected , then two other nails. I became desperate. So this summer I did the search online and found that white vinegar can cure the fungus. I start to follow the suggested procedure: twice a day put couple of drops on the matrix of the toe. Right away I started to note the results. First my small toes and now after 18 years I finally start to see clear nail near the matrix! Hope this information will help others. Also, please note I've read that only white 5% vinegar is good for this procedure, apple cider vinegar doesn't help.

Replied by Bella
(Stockton, California)
11/25/2009

I just wanted to say thanks for the info, my big toe nail on my right foot has fallen off several times and is brown and gross I am going to try this and see what happens

Genital Warts

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Posted by Emily (Mohnton, PA) on 02/22/2008
 ★★★★★

Well Iv'e pre dionosed myself with gential warts. I haven't gone to the doc yet but in a couple of days. I know my body and whatever was going on wasn't normal so i checked it out mirror and all. It's definitly gential warts. It's not that bad externally but I think I've had it for a while just late external showings. so I looked online and found this website. I tryed the white vinegar with cottonballs for 10 minutes 2times a day its been working wonders. Thanks so much now I can relax a little.

Genital Warts
Posted by Tiffany (Schenectady, New York) on 01/16/2008
 ★★★★★

re: White Distilled Vinegar. I found out I had GW Way back in 1995 and the doctor used laser.They went away except for a tiny one you can't really see it is so small that when I try to show Doctors they can't see it.When I had another breakout last friday I went to the ER they could not do any thing.Then i went to a clinic, but could not get anything to treat it. SO I went to my Doctor and she gave me an appointment but, It still hurts and itch so i found your websight and tried the vinegar and i feel better already.I used a Q-Tip and soaked it in the vinegar and I applied it for ten minutes lke one of your writers said. I used three different Q-Tips to apply.I noticed a little blood and it burned a little but, it does not itch or burn anymore. Thank You

Genital Warts
Posted by Suzanne (Nevada, America) on 01/11/2008
 ★★★★★

I self diagnosed myself with Genital Warts a couple of weeks ago. I have recently moved to a remote part of South East Asia where Apple Cider Vinegar and Tea Tree Oil are absolutely unavailable. I decided to give normal white vinegar a try anyway. I just dippped tisues into the vingegar and applied it to the warts. I did this twice over two days for 15 minutes each time. It really hurt while I applied the vinegar and contuned to burn a little the next day but it was worth it - the warts are COMPLETELY gone!

Hardwood Floors

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Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 05/01/2008
 ★★★★★

I use White vinegar and water on my hardwood floors and they shine.

Household Cleaner

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Posted by Maria (Houston, Texas) on 09/10/2007
 ★★★★★

white distilled viniger gets my laundry very clean it takes out grass staines and sweat smell out it leaves it smelling fresh and soft.

Household Cleaner
Posted by Toma (Chicago, IL) on 01/27/2007
 ★★★★★

Strange that a strong smell like vinegar would eliminate odors altogether, but it will. The vinegar smell disappears after awhile and leaves nothing behind.

Household Cleaner
Posted by Tricia (Astoria, NY) on 08/23/2006
 ★★★★★

The vinegar is used by my husband who works for a major European Airline. He uses the vinegar to cleanse the toilets. Two litres of vinegar to five pounds of ice and voila clean smelling lavs. The manager of this carrier saves a bundle. The alternative is a commercially prepared liquid which costs 20 dollars a pop.

Menstruation

Posted by Nomathemba (Germiston, Iceland) on 04/20/2015

Can white vinegar also help to stop menstruation?

Splinters

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Posted by Jamie (Gilbert, Arizona) on 05/13/2008
 ★★★★★

White vinegar removed a splinter quickly and pain free! My 2 year old son grabbed a catus and had, what seemed like, hundreds of splinters all over his hand. We soaked it in a bowl of plain, white vinegar and the splinters all popped out on their own!

White Vinegar Feedback

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Posted by Cindy (Columbia, Missouri, USA) on 12/04/2008
 ★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

I do not know if people have been warned about drinking distilled vinegar, but don't do it, it's great as a cleaning agent or for pickles but not to be used like organic raw vinegar.White distilled vinegar if taken in large doses destroys red blood cells and will cause severe anemia. Just a heads up! Get organic raw vinegar at health food store or you can order it online.

Replied by Trista
(Sydney, Australia)
03/30/2022

Hi, in response to distilled vinegar causing a reduction in red blood cells. I can only find studies that suggest the opposite effect. That acetate results in the production of red blood cells.
Was this by experience? Or do you have information you can share? Thanks in advance.

White Vinegar Feedback
Posted by Kathleen (San Antonio, TX) on 02/06/2008
 ★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar is wonderful to clean out my German Shepherd's ears, when his ears are bothering him. He will shake his head, and I just put an apple cider and water solution on a cotton ball, and clean out his ears, and in ten minutes he stops fussing and lays down and finally can rest. My husband takes white vinegar and soaks his feet in it, and no more athelets foot! It is wonderful for killing any kind of fungus or bacterial infections. Thanks so much for the advice!

White Vinegar Feedback
Posted by Tina (North Missouri) on 01/11/2008
 ★★★★★

Plain White Vinegar removed my moles. I started using white vinegar in my bath water for eczema. After using it for two months my large dark brown mole began peeling away. After a week it was completely gone. The next thing I noticed was another pink mole on my nose by the nostril was shrinking along with another mole like it on my upper nose. The first mole was the size of a dime & just as thick if not thicker. I was surprised to discover all of this. I have had these moles for 25 years. I only pour in a half cup of vinegar per bath so never imagined them going away. I am so thrilled!


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