A massive jug of vinegar may be the only household product you need. Not only is vinegar chemical-free and environmentally-friendly, its highly acidic so it kills germs and bacteria. Best of all, it’s inexpensive. So, here goes: ten uses you might not have heard of yet!

1. Bleach alternative—Get your dingy whites white again. Bring a pot of water mixed with 200ml white distilled vinegar to a boil. Drop in your whites and soak them overnight.
2. Toilet cleaner—Remove unsightly hard water stains. Pour in 1 pint of vinegar and scrub.
3. Rust remover—Dissolve rust from metals by soaking the rusty pieces in full strength vinegar for up to an hour.
4. Refrigerator freshener—Remove lingering smells within two days. Place 200ml of apple cider vinegar in a glass in your refrigerator.
5. Kill garden weeds—Starve weeds by spraying full strength white distilled vinegar on the tops of weeds. Repeat on any new growth.
6. Remove limescale—Get rid of limescale in your kettle by adding 100ml of white distilled vinegar to the water and soaking overnight. For tough deposits, boil undiluted vinegar in the kettle, cool and rinse.
7. Keep flowers longer—Add two tablespoons sugar and two tablespoons white vinegar in a 1-litre vase of water. Trim stems and change water every five days.
8. Set colours—To keep your colourful clothing from bleeding, soak for a few minutes in white distilled vinegar before washing.
9. Renew sponges and dishrags—Place in just enough water to cover them and add 50ml white distilled vinegar. Soak overnight.
10. Remove soap scum—Wipe with white distilled vinegar and scour with baking soda.

These and more tips can be found at VinegarTips.com, VinegarBook.net and VersatileVinegar.org.