Households urged to put vodka in bathrooms this winter

There are numerous cleaninghacks available that utilise common kitchen ingredients, such as olive oil for stainless steel or vinegar for whitening sheets. But another great hack lies in your alcohol cupboard.

Vodka is a great cleaner. It can be used in several areas of your house and is a good alternative for those who are sensitive to chemical smells. Due to its alcohol content, usually around 40% for standard bottles, vodkamakes for a great natural and sustainable cleaning product. The alcohol acts as a natural solvent, cutting through grease and grime with ease without the use of any potentially toxic ingredients. Vodka also evaporates quickly, leaving no streaks or residue behind. Plus, it's odourless once dry, meaning your home won't smell like a pub after happy hour. One place that can be cleaned with vodkais the kitchen counters. Alcohol is a good alternative to cleaning products, as it will disinfect your kitchen surfaces. You can also use it on cutting boards. Pour some vodka on the board and wait a few minutes. When you rinse it off, it will look fresh.

Just like surfaces, vodka can be used on mirrors and windows without leaving streaks. If you're out of Windex, dab some leftover vodka on a towel and wipe down the glass to remove any smudges or fingerprints.

It can also be used in bathrooms, in a spray made with 150ml of boiled water, 75ml of vodka, and eight drops of mint essential oil, to remove soap scum and limescale marks.

Because vodka doesn't leave a smell when it dries, it's good to use on odorous items. Put it in a spray bottle and mist it on clothes, linens, or shoes to eliminate any lingering scent. Add a little essential oil to the alcohol and spray it on for a quick and effective deodoriser.

It's long been a technique used by costume departments in theatre, ballet, and concerts. Delicate fabrics and multiple shows in a day mean it's not always possible to launder clothing, so vodka is used to keep them smelling fresh.

You can also use vodka to deodorise carpets, upholstered furniture, or even your gym bag. Ensure the material you're spraying can withstand moisture, and always test a small area first to be safe.

On Reddit, users debated whether vodka was truly effective. Many said it is. "Apparently, there was a Mythbusters episode where they used vodka to clean everything (including the inside of a washer, which I seem to always see people ask questions about), and they were mostly confirmed to work," one person claimed.