18 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Vodka (2024)

18 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Vodka (1)Chelsea StoneUpdated: Mar. 17, 2023

    Vodka does a lot more than make a killer drink. This bar staple can be used to clean, cook, and so much more.

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    18 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Vodka (2)

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    Clean windows and fixtures

    Time to ditch the chemicals! Banish soap scum and water spots by wiping down fixtures with a cloth soaked in vodka for extra sparkle, and spray the stuff on windows for a streak-free shine. Keep in mind that while vodka will get rid of soap scum, water spots, or streaks on your windows, the alcohol content is not high enough to completely disinfect any germs that may be lingering.

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    Deodorize your feet

    Soak those smelly puppies in this natural deodorizer for an extra deep clean. You can even spray diluted vodka directly into shoes for an easy, natural refresher.

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    Remove sticker goo

    Peeling off a price tag often leaves an unwanted residue behind. Scrub the gunk with some vodka, then rinse for a smooth surface.

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    Kill weeds

    Looking for a pesticide-free way to treat weeds? Mix vodka with water and a few drops of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle, and spritz directly onto your target.

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    Refresh laundry

    Oust odor in your closets by spraying your most musty-smelling clothes with undiluted vodka, then hanging them out to dry. Vodka is a lot more helpful when it comes to cleaning your clothes than these laundry products that waste your money.

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    Get shiny hair

    Your hair could use a drink, too! Vodka can help de-frizz hair and make locks extra shiny and healthy, thanks to its low pH. Add an ounce of the spirit to your shampoo bottle to fight oily buildup with each wash.

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    Make flowers last

    Wilting bouquets perk up when you mix a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar with the water in the vase. And if your flowers do end up dying, here’s how you can revive them.

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    Cure poison ivy

    If you get this nasty rash, you’ll need a quick fix. Pour vodka directly onto the affected skin, and the alcohol will rinse away the chemical from the leaves that cause the itchy sensation (urushiol oil).

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    Clean jewelry

    If your jewels are looking dingy, try soaking them in vodka for five minutes, and then rinsing them with water. It’s safe for diamonds and other gemstones, too.

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    Soothe toothaches

    If you’re plagued by a toothache or mouth pain but can’t make it to a dentist right away, try swishing with vodka, a natural antiseptic. Not only does it kill bacteria, but it can also help to numb the area.

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    Banish mold

    Stop that mildew growing between your bathroom tiles with a spritz of vodka. Let it soak for 15 minutes, then scrub thoroughly with an old toothbrush and rinse. Not sure you need this one? Here are 12 silent signs your house has a mold problem.

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    Relieve jellyfish stings

    These sea creatures are known for their vicious sting, but they’re no match for vodka’s pain-relieving power. Use the stuff to disinfect the wound and heal the hurt.

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    Infuse jam

    “I use vodka to infuse jam and handmade marshmallows as well as DIY lollipops in our workshops,” says Mariana Leung, co-owner of Wicked Finch Farm. That’s right—vodka infused homemade jam! Learn how to make infused vodka.

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    Make a crispy pie crust

    Vodka can come in handy when making pie dough. “When mixing pie dough, using vodka in place of water can prevent the crust from becoming tough. Toughness is the result of gluten formation, which occurs when wheat proteins are mixed with water,” saysFreida Hirsch, Chef at EveryPlate. “Vodka binds the butter-flour mixture without contributing to excessive gluten formation.”

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    Make homemade spy gear

    “Those who are into spy movies and books or general espionage history might be interested to learn that vodka is one of the key ingredients in a homemade microdot,” says Aliza Bran, media relations manager at the International Spy Museum.A microdot is an extremely small photograph or document. According to Bran, to make a homemade microdot, you take a developed photo, prepare a plate by pasting cellophane on glass, and coat the glass with a combination of silver nitrate, potassium bromide, and a pyrimidone-and-vodka solution.

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    Clear ice cubes

    “You can add a small amount of vodka (about 1oz.) into a gallon of water before freezing into ice cubes, and it will help them not come out cloudy and make the ice blocks clearer,” saysJustin Greenwood, bar manager at619 Spirits Distillery & Tasting Room.

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    Make syrup last longer

    Vodka commonly acts as a preservative. If you throw an ounce of vodka into a syrup, it makes syrup last longer, according to Greenwood.

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    Make tempura batter

    Vodka can be helpful when making tempura-style fried dishes because it makes the batter crispier. “It works because the alcohol evaporates quicker than water, but doesn’t impart much flavor as other liquors would,” says Lauro Romero, executive chef at King Tide Fish & Shell.Shocked? Here are some more extraordinary uses for household staples you already own.

    Originally Published: March 18, 2020

    Originally Published in Reader's Digest

    As a seasoned enthusiast with extensive knowledge in various fields, including the versatile applications of vodka beyond its traditional use in beverages, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article dated March 17, 2023, by Chelsea Stone. The article explores unconventional uses of vodka in daily life, showcasing its efficacy in areas such as cleaning, personal care, gardening, and culinary arts. Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:

    1. Cleaning Windows and Fixtures:

      • Vodka's alcohol content helps remove soap scum and water spots on fixtures.
      • Acts as a streak-free solution for cleaning windows.
      • Important to note: While it can eliminate certain stains, vodka may not be potent enough to disinfect germs thoroughly.
    2. Deodorizing Feet:

      • Vodka serves as a natural deodorizer for feet.
      • Diluted vodka can be sprayed directly into shoes for a refreshing effect.
    3. Removing Sticker Goo:

      • Vodka proves effective in eliminating residue left behind by peeled-off price tags.
    4. Weed Control:

      • A mixture of vodka, water, and liquid dish soap acts as a pesticide-free weed treatment.
    5. Laundry Odor Removal:

      • Undiluted vodka can be sprayed on musty-smelling clothes to eliminate odors.
    6. Hair Care:

      • Vodka, with its low pH, helps de-frizz hair and adds shine.
      • Adding an ounce of vodka to shampoo fights oily buildup.
    7. Flower Care:

      • A mixture of vodka, sugar, and water in a vase extends the life of bouquets.
    8. Poison Ivy Relief:

      • Pouring vodka onto affected skin helps rinse away chemicals causing itching in poison ivy (urushiol oil).
    9. Jewelry Cleaning:

      • Soaking jewelry in vodka for five minutes, followed by rinsing, helps clean and maintain the shine of diamonds and gemstones.
    10. Toothache Relief:

      • Vodka, a natural antiseptic, can be swished to kill bacteria and numb the affected area in case of a toothache.
    11. Mold Prevention:

      • Vodka can be used to prevent mildew growth between bathroom tiles.
    12. Jellyfish Sting Relief:

      • Vodka disinfects jellyfish stings, providing relief from pain and aiding in healing.
    13. Jam Infusion:

      • Vodka is used to infuse flavor into jam, homemade marshmallows, and DIY lollipops.
    14. Pie Crust Making:

      • Vodka prevents pie crust toughness by binding the butter-flour mixture without excessive gluten formation.
    15. Homemade Spy Gear:

      • Vodka is a key ingredient in creating a homemade microdot for spy-related activities.
    16. Clear Ice Cubes:

      • Adding a small amount of vodka to water before freezing prevents cloudy ice cubes.
    17. Syrup Preservation:

      • Vodka acts as a preservative, extending the shelf life of syrup.
    18. Tempura Batter:

      • Vodka enhances the crispiness of tempura-style fried dishes by evaporating quickly without imparting much flavor.

    These concepts showcase the diverse and unexpected applications of vodka, making it a valuable household item beyond its role as a popular spirit.

    18 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Vodka (2024)

    FAQs

    What can vodka do to you? ›

    Alchohol present in vodka are a major concern especially on excessive consumption. It can expose you to major diseases of multiple organs such as brain, liver, heart and pancreas. Excessive consumption may lead to faster heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and can also disrupts the immune system.

    Is vodka an anti inflammatory? ›

    6. It can alleviate symptoms caused by arthritis. Apparently, patients who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and had semi-regular vodka drinks throughout the month felt less pain and inflammation associated with their disease, according to this study.

    What not to drink vodka with? ›

    Wine and Vodka

    It will give you the wildest hangover in your life, especially if you choose red wine. The tannins in red wine irritate your stomach and literally drain the water out of your organism. And the vodka acts pretty much the same, leaving you drunk, sick and dehydrated.

    Is vodka bad for the heart? ›

    The evidence continues to grow stronger, showing that no amount of alcohol is good for heart health. Even small amounts of alcohol increases your risk of developing diseases of the heart and blood vessels, also known as cardiovascular disease.

    Is vodka harmful for sperm? ›

    If you are a man or if you have a body that produces sperm, drinking alcohol is linked to sexual dysfunction and research suggests it can reduce your sperm count and the quality of your sperm – two factors that can be measured in a sem*n test.

    Is vodka good for anxiety? ›

    Alcohol isn't an anxiety treatment. Seek help from a mental health professional if you have anxiety. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, seek help from your doctor right away.

    What is the healthiest alcohol? ›

    If what you're looking for is the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar alcohol, you'll want to stick with clear liquors, registered dietitian Alex Aldeborgh says. This includes vodka, gin, rum, tequila, soju and sake, among others, which will generally have less calories and less sugar.

    Is vodka the worst alcohol to drink? ›

    Vodka doesn't contain a significant amount of minerals or nutrients. Vodka has no sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, vodka may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful of adding vodka to mixers, however, since they are frequently high in sugar.

    Is vodka the worst alcohol for your liver? ›

    Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.

    What is the healthiest thing to mix with vodka? ›

    Soda water

    Since it's nothing but carbonated water, it's hands down the healthiest mixer for vodka. Whether the absence of tonic's quinine-induced bitterness is a plus or a minus is up for debate, but squeeze in a little lemon or lime juice and a vodka soda will always hit the spot on a summer afternoon.

    What is best to eat with vodka? ›

    Here are our top vodka martini food pairings for you to try:
    1. Vodka and Caviar. Caviar and vodka go together like James Bond and a martini. ...
    2. Pickles and Vodka. Pickles and vodka…. ...
    3. Smoked Salmon. Vodka and more or less any fish pairs delightfully, however, vodka and salmon are a match made in finger food heaven. ...
    4. Steak. ...
    5. Cheese.

    Does vodka make you more drunk? ›

    The direct effects of alcohol are the same whether you drink wine, beer or spirits. There's no evidence that different types of alcohol cause different mood states.

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