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Make your own vanilla extractHere's an unusual homemade treat you can use to spice up a gift basket, and it takes only minutes to make. Get one real dried vanilla bean (available at specialty food stores) and slice it open from top to bottom. Place it in a glass jar and cover it with 3/4 cup vodka. Seal the jar, and let it rest in a kitchen cabinet for 4-6 months, shaking it occasionally. Filter your homemade vanilla extract through an unbleached coffee filter or cheesecloth into a decorative bottle and watch the face of your favorite cook light up with pleasure!
Clean glass and jewelryIn a pinch, a few drops of vodka will clean any kind of glass or jewelry with crystalline gemstones. So although people might look at you askance, you could dip a napkin into your vodka on the rocks to wipe away the grime on your eyeglasses or dunk your diamond ring for a few minutes to get it sparkling again. But don't try this with contact lenses! Also avoid getting alcohol on any gemstone that's not a crystal. Only diamonds, emeralds, and the like will benefit from a vodka bath.
Use as a hygienic soakVodka is an alcohol, and like any alcohol, it kills germs. If you don't have ordinary rubbing alcohol on hand, use vodka instead. You can use it to soak razor blades you plan to reuse, as well as to clean hairbrushes, toothbrushes, and pet brushes, or on anything else that might spread germs from person to person or animal to animal.
Keep cut flowers freshThe secret to keeping cut flowers looking good as long as possible is to minimize the growth of bacteria in the water and to provide nourishment to replace what the flower would have gotten had it not been cut. Add a few drops of vodka (or any clear spirit) to the vase water for antibacterial action along with 1 teaspoon sugar. Change the water every other day, refreshing the vodka and sugar each time.
Kill weeds in the yardFor a quick and easy weed killer, mix 1 ounce (30 milliliters) vodka, a few drops liquid dish soap, and 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the weed leaves until the mixture runs off. Apply it at midday on a sunny day to weeds growing in direct sunlight, because the alcohol breaks down the waxy cuticle covering on leaves, leaving them susceptible to dehydration in sunlight. It won't work in shade.
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