How to Remove Rust With Vodka

While it’s pricier than rubbing alcohol, this bar staple has the same antiseptic properties, making it a clever replacement in a pinch. Read on for spirited ways to put it to use.

Erase Window Streaks

As an alternative to using chemical cleansers, spray glass panes with diluted vodka, then wipe them down with a lint-free cloth.

Shine Chrome

Put an end to soap scum and hard-water spots by soaking a soft cloth in vodka and wiping it over shiny fixtures.

Deodorize Laundry

Spritz undiluted vodka on clothes to help remove musty smells, then hang-dry them in a well-ventilated area.

Remove Rust from Screws

Leave a weathered screw in vodka for just a few hours, then wipe to get rid of rust.

Preserve Cut Flowers

Save your bouquet by mixing a few drops of vodka with a teaspoon of sugar to inhibit the production of ethylene, which makes flowers wilt.

Remove Stains from Upholstery

Dip a clean cloth in vodka and rub it on fabric to help take out stubborn stains caused by ink, grass, and some foods.

Kill Weeds

Mix 1 ounce of vodka, a few drops of liquid dish soap, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Apply on a sunny day to broadleaf weeds that grow in direct sunlight; the vodka will help remove the leaves’ waxy coating, causing them to dry out.

Clean Mold and Mildew

Rid tile and caulk of dark spots by spraying them with vodka. Let sit for up to 30 minutes, scrub with a grout brush or old toothbrush, and rinse thoroughly.

Soothe Aching Muscles

Treat sore muscles with a pack made by pouring equal parts of vodka and water into a resealable bag and freezing it to create a super-cold slushy mix. Whether you treat yourself to a cocktail afterward is up to you!

Stop Odors

Boots smelling ripe? Spritz the insides with diluted vodka; let dry. No more odor.

This article originally appeared on This Old House

More from This Old House: