Is Vinegar Useful to Get Rid of Odor?

Vinegar is helpful in removing underarm body odor.

Vinegar is an inexpensive and convenient remedy for removing odors. It has range of applications that include removing odors from clothing, odors from rooms and inhibiting strong body odor.

Vinegar Inhibits Bacterial Growth

According to Go Ask Alice, a Columbia University online health service, applying white or apple cider vinegar to underarms can inhibit the bacteria growth that causes body odor. This, along with good hygiene practices, a healthy diet and use of deodorant products may reduce problems with unusually strong body odor.

Removing Room Odors

Vinegar can be an effective odor remover for entire rooms, according to The Vinegar Book website. Placing a bowl or pan filled with vinegar in the middle of a room for 24 hours will help absorb any odors lingering there. This may be especially useful for problematic odors, like burnt food or smoke.

Removing Clothing Odors

The Vinegar Book online also states that vinegar is useful in removing odor from clothing --- both dry clean only clothes and washables. Hanging delicate clothing in the shower and then filling the tub with hot water and vinegar creates a vinegar steam that can neutralize smells --- especially smoky odors --- from clothing. Adding two cups of vinegar to the wash cycle has a similar effect on washable clothing.

References

• Columbia University: Go Ask Alice: What Can I Do About My Strong Body Odor?
• The Vinegar Book: Cutting Odors With Vinegar