Many of us use bleach as the be-all-end-all of cleaners. While it's true that bleach will disinfect virtually anything, it can be quite hazardous if not handled properly. Did you know that distilled white vinegar can be used as a substitute to bleach in many instances? Here are 10 places you can use vinegar to help you around your home.

1. Dishwasher

Does your glassware come out of the dishwasher with a thin milky or hard water stains? Add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to a small glass on the top shelf of your dishwasher. Run the cycle normally with the glass upright and your glassware should sparkle!

2. Toilet

Vinegar is a great substitute for bleach in your toilet. Pour 1 cup of vinegar in your toilet and let sit about 5 minutes before flushing. It can also help remove toilet rings with light scrubbing.

3. Bathtub

Remove everything from your shower and rinse it down. Then, use a sponge soaked in vinegar to clean the tub. Rinse again.

4. Shower Curtain

While you're cleaning your bathtub, you might as well disinfect your shower curtain. Using a spray bottle, spray vinegar to remove soapy, discolored, or mildew filth from your curtain. Wipe clean then rinse with water.

5. Ants

Vinegar is a natural ant repellent. Use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to spray down problem ant areas. Learn more about natural bug repellents.

6. Grease

Vinegar cuts through grease. Use a sponge soaked in vinegar to scrub off new messes or soak items in a bath of vinegar for at least 20 minutes for tougher ones.

7. Weeds

Vinegar kills many types of grass and weeds. If you have unwanted plants growing out of your sidewalk or driveway, try dousing them with vinegar before resorting to harmful weed killers.

8. Chrome and Stainless Steel

Just as vinegar can help make your glassware shine, it can also be a chrome and stainless steel polisher. Dip a soft cloth in vinegar and wipe clean.

9. Coffee Maker

If your coffee is tasting stale, fill your reservoir with vinegar and run it through a cycle. Once finished, run 2 cycles of just water to rinse.

10. Washing Machine

To clean and deodorize your washing machine, pour two cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda into your machine and run it empty on the hottest cycle. Use a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to scrub away any grime from your machine.