Salt and vinegar might be best known as a tasty flavor combo for chips, but this duo is far more versatile than most people realize. Beyond the kitchen, salt and vinegar can be used in all kinds of practical and creative ways around the home. From cleaning stubborn messes to tackling odors, and even serving as a base for fun science experiments, this simple combination has earned its place in any household’s toolkit. Here are 13 innovative ways you can put salt and vinegar to good use and make your home cleaner, fresher, and more efficient.

First up, one of the most practical and well-known uses: deodorizing. When you combine salt and vinegar, you get a powerful cleaner, but you also create an excellent natural deodorizer. Instead of relying on baking soda to absorb odors in your refrigerator or other spaces, you can place a small bowl or glass filled with this mixture anywhere in your home that needs freshening up. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to neutralize unpleasant smells.

Vinegar on its own is already a powerhouse cleaner, and when you add salt into the mix, it gets even better. For example, if your home has brick walls, either indoors or outdoors, you can prevent them from looking dull or dingy by spraying them with a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then wipe away the residue with a cloth or scrub brush. This simple trick can breathe new life into tired-looking brickwork without needing harsh chemicals.

One of the more surprising ways to use salt and vinegar is to unclog a sink. By pouring a combination of these two ingredients down a sluggish drain, you can break up blockages and clear out minor clogs without resorting to harsh chemical drain cleaners. The reaction between the salt and vinegar helps dissolve grease and grime, getting things flowing smoothly again.

If you have brass fixtures or decorations that have seen better days, salt and vinegar can help restore them to their former shine. According to experts at GrandBrass.com, you can mix two cups of warm vinegar with two tablespoons of salt, creating a solution perfect for removing corrosion. Heat the vinegar in the microwave for about a minute and a half, being careful because it will be hot. Soak your brass pieces in the mixture for a little while, then scrub with a scouring pad under running water. Let the pieces air dry, and you’ll be amazed at how clean and bright they look.

Beyond cleaning, salt and vinegar also make for fun and educational science experiments. When you combine them, a chemical reaction takes place that kids and adults alike can learn from and enjoy. One popular project involves creating rock formations. By mixing a quarter cup of salt into a cup of boiling water along with two tablespoons of vinegar, and pouring the solution over a sponge (with added food coloring for fun), you can grow colorful crystal structures over several days.

On a more practical level, salt and vinegar together create sodium acetate, a common chemical compound. Sodium acetate shows up in many products, including IV fluids used in hospitals to help hydrate patients and balance electrolytes. It’s a fascinating example of how something so simple can have real-world applications in science and medicine.

Vinegar on its own is also incredibly versatile. It can deter ants from invading your picnic, repel weeds in your garden, and even help with cleaning sticky residue off scissors. Because water can cause scissors to rust, wiping them down with vinegar is a better option for cleaning and maintaining them.

When it comes to cooking, vinegar can help you make the perfect hard-boiled eggs. Adding two tablespoons of vinegar to the boiling water can help prevent the shells from cracking and make the eggs easier to peel. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much vinegar might alter the flavor.

For personal care, vinegar can do wonders for your hair. Once a week, mix one or two tablespoons of vinegar with a cup of water and pour it over freshly shampooed hair. Massage it into your scalp, then rinse thoroughly before conditioning as usual. This routine can help reduce buildup and increase shine, leaving your hair healthier over time.

Vinegar can also be a lifesaver when dealing with bug bites. Dabbing a little vinegar onto the bite can help minimize itching and irritation, although you should avoid using it on open wounds to prevent stinging. Some people even recommend carrying apple cider vinegar when camping or hiking to help repel insects naturally.

In the end, while salt and vinegar might be a go-to flavor for snacks, their usefulness around the home makes them a dynamic duo that’s hard to beat. Whether you’re cleaning, experimenting, cooking, or tackling minor health concerns, this simple combination has a surprising number of applications that go far beyond the kitchen.