10 surprising uses of vanilla outside of cooking or baking

Forget about the traditional pine tree freshener, vanilla can be used to maintain a pleasant fragrance in your car. Apply vanilla extract on some cotton balls and tuck them into various corners of your vehicle.
5. Perfume
Vanilla can be used to create your own natural, subtle perfume. Mix it with a little water or a carrier oil and dab it onto your skin to enjoy the sweet scent throughout the day.
6. Paint Odor Neutralizer
Adding a small amount of vanilla extract to paint can help neutralize the strong smell. It makes the painting process more enjoyable without affecting the color of the paint.
7. Homemade Cleaning Solutions
Vanilla has antibacterial properties, making it an excellent addition to homemade cleaning solutions. Just a few drops can leave your surfaces clean and smelling delightful.
8. Fire Place Enhancer
A few drops of vanilla extract on the logs in your fireplace can give off a lovely aroma when you light a fire. It adds an extra layer of coziness to a warm night in.
9. Wardrobe Freshener
Keep your wardrobe smelling fresh by applying vanilla extract to a small piece of fabric or cotton and placing it in your drawer or closet. The sweet vanilla scent can ward off musty odors.
10. Greeting Cards and Invitations
Adding a touch of vanilla to paper items like greeting cards and invitations gives them a delightful scent that is enjoyable for the recipient and enhances the sensory experience of your correspondence.
Surprisingly, vanilla can transition smoothly from a key ingredient in the kitchen to a star player in various aspects of daily life. Its pleasant scent and beneficial properties extend its uses far beyond just flavoring food, potentially making it a staple in natural remedies, household solutions, and self-care routines around the world.