20 Things You Can Do With Alcohol That Don’t Involve Drinking It

People say that alcohol can’t solve your problems.

Sure, hitting the bottle and getting drunk is probably not the best solution to deal with life’s irritants and will probably only give you extra problems. But there are some things that alcohol can fix… so long as you aren’t drinking it.

1. Freshen your clothes

Vodka can be used to spritz up your clothing without actually putting it through the wash. If you have something that’s smelling a bit funky, give it a spray with vodka. It will kill odour-causing bacteria and when it dries it won’t smell of anything.

2. Kill foot odour

Vodka can also be used to kill foot odour – the same principle applies as above. Rub some on your toes if they’re a bit stanky.

3. Clean your windows

Mix vodka and water together in a spray bottle to get rid of streaks on your window panes.

4. Shine your fixtures

Vodka can get your chrome, glass and porcelain fixtures gleaming. Just moisten a soft, clean cloth with some and then polish away.

5. When you’re out of vanilla extract

When you’re baking up a storm and you realise there’s no vanilla extract left, never fear, you can save your baked goods by substituting with an equal amount of Bailey’s Irish Cream or Frangelico. Or do it even if you haven’t run out of vanilla extract. Whatever.

6. Preserve flowers

Keep your cut flowers looking good for longer by adding a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar in the water in your flower base. Change the water/sugar/vodka daily.

7. Fertilise your pot plants

If you leave a beer out overnight and it goes flat, you can pour it in to your pot plants to fertilise them.

8. Repel insects

Spray yourself with vodka to repel nasty insects. They don’t like it.

9. Endure farts

Supposedly, if you get some whiskey and dampen a napkin with it, then breathe through it, you will be able to withstand the noxious farts of others as it masks the sulfur compounds that create the terrible stench. This is a handy tip for air travel.

10. Clean jewellery

Pour vodka, gin or other clear and odourless spirits into a small bowl and soak your gems for around five minutes. Clean the stone and setting gently with a soft bristle brush and rinse it in cold water.

11. Kill snails

If your garden is overrun with slimy snails, bury a jar lid in the ground so that its rim is level with the soil, then fill it with beer. Snails and snugs will be attracted to the yeast and will imbibe in the amber liquid until they drown themselves.

12. Get rid of red wine stains

Red wine stains can be soaked with white wine and then covered with baking soda. Leave it to soak for two or three hours and then clean it.

13. Shine your hair

Add vodka to your shampoo bottle to get healthier, shinier hair.

14. Get rid of dandruff

Mix together a half a cup of vodka with two teaspoons of rosemary leaves and let the mixture soak for two days. Strain the rosemary out and then wash your hair with the solution.

15. Kill mould

Vodka can be used to get rid of mould in your home. Get some of the cheap, rot gut stuff and fill a spray bottle with it. Apply to the affected area and leave it for 15 minutes before scrubbing away with an old toothbrush.

16. Deodorise your cutting board

If your wooden cutting board is starting to pong because of onion odours, rub some whiskey on it to get rid of them.

17. Kill a toothache

If you can’t get to the dentist and your tooth is hurting, swish some vodka around in your mouth to disinfect it and help numb the pain in your gums.

18. Bathe in beer

Beer contains antioxidants and skin friendly ingredients with moisturising and smoothing qualities. The enzymes in beer also act as a callus softener and promote circulation.

19. Clean fruit and veg

You know you should wash your fruit and veggies before eating them. Spritzing them with white wine will go one step further – it not only cleans them, it can kill nasties like E. Coli and salmonella.

20. Remove sticker glue

The sticky residue that’s left on glass bottles, windows, and anywhere else can be a pain in the arse to get rid of. Rub the affected area with a vodka soaked cloth to get rid of the goop.

Amazeballs!