Vinegar & Vaseline: If housework had its own Marvel universe, vinegar and Vaseline would be the main characters. They're not the prettiest, they're not the most expensive, but when you need them, they save the world. And so you don't get lost in the dark - here are concrete instructions on exactly how to use them to really make a difference.
If there were a reality show for household heroes, vinegar & Vaseline would be the main stars. Not because they're photogenic (not at all), but because they solve problems before you say: "Where can I get that 17 euro cleaner again?!"
This isn't another "eco mom" post with Pinterest recipes. This is a survival guide for the modern person who doesn't have the time, nerve, or will to seek supernatural solutions to entirely human problems.
Vinegar & Vaseline: The Miracle Superheroes of Your Apartment
Stain removal:
Vaseline can be used to remove some stubborn stains (such as candle wax, chewing gum, crayons, or makeup) from clothing and furniture. The process is to apply a little Vaseline to the stain, let it soak in, and then carefully blot the stain with a soft cloth – repeating as needed. Vaseline works by breaking down and softening greasy or waxy stains, making them easier to remove. This trick is similar to the advice in the original article (where Vaseline was used to lift greasy stains from surfaces), except that vinegar is added for the final cleaning of the residue.
Descaling
White vinegar is a proven effective natural remedy for dissolving limescale on various surfaces. It is recommended to spray limescale on, for example, a kitchen sink or faucet with a solution of white vinegar (diluted with water) and wipe it off with a cloth; for more severe deposits, you can pour vinegar into a container (or on a cloth) and let it work for a while, then rinse. Acetic acid breaks down mineral deposits, leaving the surface clean. This is the same principle as in the original article, where vinegar was used to remove limescale from chrome fittings – there, Vaseline was also added, which creates a protective layer against new deposits after cleaning. So vinegar & Vaseline!
Softening dry skin
For dry skin (e.g. on elbows, heels or hands), they recommend a classic Vaseline as one of the best solutions. Plain, unscented Vaseline moisturizes dry skin and, above all, creates a protective layer that prevents further moisture loss. In this way, the skin is softened and protected from drying out without expensive creams. The original trick upgraded this with the addition of white vinegar - it served as a gentle exfoliant, while the Vaseline retains moisture; so it is a similar process, but the original supplemented it by removing dead skin with vinegar.
Leather restoration
For cleaning and restoration of leather products we use a mixture of white vinegar and linseed oil. Mix white vinegar with linseed (or other vegetable) oil in a 1:2 ratio, apply to the leather surface and leave to work (overnight for general cleaning; about an hour is enough for belts and shoes). Then wipe the leather dry and buff it to restore its shine. The vinegar cleans dirt and eliminates unpleasant odors, while the oil nourishes the leather, softens it and restores its suppleness and shine. This is a very similar trick to the original article – instead of linseed oil, Vaseline (petrolatum) was used to restore shine and suppleness, and vinegar was used to clean; the effect (cleaning + care) is the same, only the care medium used is different.
Lubrication of squeaking parts
In an article about alternatives to WD-40, they advise silencing squeaking door hinges with regular Vaseline. Apply a little Vaseline directly to the hinges with a cotton swab and open and close the door a few times to evenly distribute the Vaseline throughout the mechanism. The result is quiet, smooth-running hinges, no oil dripping on the floor and no smell of lubricant. The trick is identical to the one in the original article regarding lubrication – in the original, Vaseline was also used to lubricate squeaky hinges (an addition was wiping the metal with vinegar to remove rust/dirt, which is an additional precaution). The basic principle – Vaseline as a substitute for WD-40 – remains the same.
Removing stickers or adhesives
Users on the forum state the following: Vaseline like white vinegar among the most useful tools for removing sticker and adhesive residue. One tip is to soak a cloth in white vinegar, place it on the sticker or adhesive, and let it sit (for a few minutes, or overnight for very stubborn residue), after which the sticker will easily peel off. Another option is to apply a layer of Vaseline to the adhesive residue, wait for it to soften, and then scrape or wipe it off. The original article actually combined both approaches: first Vaseline to soften the adhesive, then a few drops of vinegar to dissolve and clean the residue – so the trick is basically the same, except that the original uses it sequentially for faster results.
Polishing chrome or metals
Vaseline is also credited with the role of a simple polish for bathroom and kitchen metal surfaces. The advice is to wipe with a clean, soft cloth, to which a little Vaseline is applied. chrome fittings (taps, handles, showers) and then polish them to a shine. A thin layer of Vaseline creates a protective film that repels water and prevents limescale or rusting, while also restoring the metal's natural shine. The original trick has the same goal - to achieve shiny, protected chrome - except that before polishing with Vaseline, vinegar is added to dissolve any limescale deposits. In both cases, the fittings shine "like new", and the Vaseline makes it harder for stains to build up again.
Wood cleaning (water stains)
For annoying white circles left on wood by glasses, they recommend a very simple trick with Vaseline. Coat the stain (white mark on a wooden table) with a generous layer of Vaseline and let it work. overnight, then in the morning gently wipe the wood with a cloth. Vaseline after overnight action softens the stain and “pulls” it out of the wood, and at the same time restores some oil and shine to the wood, so the stain practically disappears. This is the same solution as the original article describes for water stains on wood – in the original, Vaseline and a little vinegar created a natural “polishing corrector” for the wood, while this source does not mention vinegar. Apparently, Vaseline alone is effective enough to remove the water stain, but vinegar could speed up the process (so the original trick just supplemented the original idea).
Removing stuck zippers
If the zipper doesn't move (it gets stuck on the teeth or fabric), the solution is, according to the advice of a fashion website Vaseline. All you need is a cotton swab and a little Vaseline – apply it to the zipper teeth on both sides of the zipper where it got stuck. The Vaseline will act as a lubricant and the zipper will run smoothly again. Even if the zipper is stuck due to pieces of fabric, the lubricant will help to loosen them. This is practically the same trick as in the original article, where Vaseline was also used to lubricate a stuck zipper (there, they also applied a little white vinegar with a cotton swab to remove dirt from the teeth, which is an additional improvement, but otherwise the basis – lubricating the zipper with Vaseline – remains the same).
