4 Intoxicating Household Uses for Booze

on May 26, 2011 at 1:35 PM

whiskey bottles Leave it to those resourceful Scots to come up with the best save-the-planet idea I've heard so far: Whiskey power! Construction is currently underway on a biomass plant in Scotland that will use whiskey byproducts to generate enough electricity for 9,000 homes, significantly reducing the country's carbon emissions. Unfortunately, there are no plans to build a booze-powered plant stateside just yet, but you can still run your house with a little help from the liquor cabinet.

Bet you didn't know these libations are good for more than getting you tipsy:

Vodka in a spray bottle makes an awesome all-purpose cleaner! Spritz it on mildew-y bathtub caulking, stains, even eyeglasses. Store your razors in a cup of vodka between shaves to prevent rusting. (Don't drink it! That would be gross.)
If the lingering scent of raw onions on your cutting board drives you nuts, wipe it down with whiskey (use it as a mouthwash to get rid of onion breath, but not if you're going to be driving!).
An occasional pint (or so) of Guinness is rumored to be better than Miracle Gro for green houseplants. Try it once a week!
Making margaritas? Tote some of that tequila into the bathroom before you pour it in the blender and use it to wipe sticky hairspray spots from the mirror. Also guaranteed to make fixtures like faucets sparkly and clean!

Do you use alcohol for anything besides Happy Hour?

Image via Christopher Bersbach/Flickr

About the author Jacqueline Burt

has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!

Filed Under: bathroom, chores, creative reuse, kitchen

Comments (52)

KelliansMom

on May 26, 2011 at 1:52 PM

when i worked at a bar i would spray my clothes with vodka after my shift to get the cigerate smell out so i didnt have to wash my clothes for work every day ..it worked wonders :)

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Facebook comment from Sara Haxton

on May 26, 2011 at 8:19 PM

We use rum for a teething baby and a stressed out mom. Pour just enough into a shot glass to dip your finger in then wipe baby's gums. Next mom drinks the rest. It is about a teaspoon amount so Mom will still be able to parent but it did the trick for my 3 kids. Don't do it more than once an hour though.

Wish2Be

on May 27, 2011 at 7:24 AM

We dont keep alcohol in the house. I havent had a single glass of wine since my son was born in 2009. There is no reason to have alcohol in a house with children in it.. When my son is grown...I think these tips might come in handy...though the alcohol is a bid expensive and not exactly cost effective....lol.

daisygirl913

on May 27, 2011 at 10:38 AM

As expensive as alcohol is why would you want to do this? I can see if maybe you poured someone a drink and they didn't finish it using it to clean something, or in a pinch. Even the cheap alcohol is alot more expensive than most cleaners

Facebook comment from Marni McAllister Loesel

on May 27, 2011 at 12:22 PM

I haven't tried this yet, but, I hear dark beer makes for a lovely stain for wood

CherBearCM

on May 27, 2011 at 12:32 PM

No way if I have alcohol I'm drinking it, it's way too expensive to waste on mundane things like cleaning! LOL

Facebook comment from Dani Dickie

on May 27, 2011 at 2:40 PM

You can use cheap red wine in a jar to trap fruit flies. Cut the bag diagonally and then cut the corner off to make a small hole fasten it with a rubber band and the flies can go in and they can't come out.