20 Surprising Apple Cider Vinegar Uses

...Apple cider vinegar isn’t just a regular entity in your pantry. It’s also got a ton of beauty, health, and household uses.

The Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar? While even just drinking apple vinegar has many benefits, including:

• It helps disinfect, killing potentially harmful bacteria.
• It may contribute to healthy weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness.
• It may improve heart health and lower cholesterol.

Most individuals tend to take 1-2 teaspoons or 1-2 tablespoons each day to gain these benefits. But there’s more! Here’s 20 surprising apple cider vinegar uses.

1. Try Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Deodorizer

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, making it the perfect deodorant spray. Mix it with a bit of water and plug it into a spray bottle. Or mix it with water and Epsom salts to create a foot bath that gets rid of smelly feet!

2. Make a Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

This is so easy to do and there are so many ways to use it. Take a cup of water and a half cup of apple cider vinegar. Then go nuts! Clean until your heart’s content.

3. Gargle for a Sore Throat

Got a cold? A scratchy throat? Again, mix the apple vinegar with water. Now throw it back and gurgle. The theory goes it helps kill off the bacteria causing your sore throat.

4. Ditch the Expensive Face Toners - Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead!

Use 2 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Take a cotton pad and gently apply it to your face. For more sensitive skins, dilute the mixture with more water. Use sparingly and make sure you rinse your face after.

5. Dab it on a Painful Sunburn

Some people claim it helps decrease the redness and reduce that burning feeling!

6. Trap Fruit Flies

No one likes those little flies hovering around the fruit bowl. Talk about annoying! Pour some apple cider vinegar into a small glass. Place siren wrap over top and poke a few holes in the top. Voila! A fruit fly trap.

7. Add Shine to Your Hair with Apple Vinegar

Huh? Really? Yes, really! Supposedly, apple cider vinegar helps rid your hair of any product build-up (it happens). It also helps untangle your hair and add some serious shine. Do half water and half apple vinegar. Pour onto your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. This may be particularly useful to improve your hair health come wintertime!

Related article: Winter Hair, Don’t Care: The Ultimate 5-Step Winter Hair Care Routine

8. Treat Your Dandruff With It

Massage watered down apple cider vinegar into your scalp. This may help decrease the growth of fungus which causes dandruff to develop in the first place.

9. Take it With You Into the Garden to Kill Weeds

Spray apple cider vinegar on those pesky weeds. If this doesn’t work, try combining soap, apple vinegar, and lemon juice - then try again!

10. Clean Your Toothbrush With It

Now, not many of us really clean our toothbrush, so maybe it’s time you start? Since apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, it can help clean your toothbrush. To get a good clean going, mix together two tablespoons of apple vinegar, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and half a cup of water. Let your toothbrush soak for over 30 minutes in the mixture, then rinse it well!

11. Use it as a Teeth Whitener

Teeth whiteners are another expensive product that you may be able to ditch in favor of apple cider vinegar. Simply, rub a small amount of apple cider vinegar on your teeth - you can use a cotton swab to do so. The only hitch here is that you’ll want to rinse really well. If left on for too long, the acidity can damage your teeth.

12. Treat Your Acne

Similar to teeth whitening, dip a cotton swab into an apple vinegar and water mixture. You want to dilute it this time since it may burn when directly applied. Apply the mixture to your spots. Pimples be gone! You may even make this a staple in your skincare routine. Build that confidence!

13. Use it as a Wart Remover

Want a natural way to get rid of those annoying warts that won’t budge? Apple cider vinegar is your guy. This is because it is so acidic. Try it out. Did it work for you?

14. Clean Your Dishes With It

Apple cider vinegar is coming out on-top as a natural cleaner for all kinds of household items. Some people even add it to their dishwater to help rid their dishes of any unwanted bacteria.

15. Throw Some Apple Vinegar into Your Bath

Many people use it as a kind of detoxifying bath mixture. Mix a small amount with Epsom salts and coconut oil for the best results.

16. Try it Out as a Pet Flea Treatment and Prevention Method

Do half vinegar and half water. Spray your pet to treat and prevent fleas.

17. Use it as a Flu Remedy

Try mixing it with honey, cinnamon, and lemon to treat that cold that just won’t quit.

18. Treat Contact Dermatitis With It

Apple cider vinegar is great for skin health, including treating dermatitis.

19. Set Your Hair Dye

Working on a home dye? After you’ve dyed, rinsed, and conditioned your hair, mix apple vinegar and water together. Pour on your hair, let sit for a few minutes, and then rinse. It’ll help set the dye!

20. Clean Your Jewelry

Use half a cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Like your toothbrush, let your jewelry soak in this for 30-60 minutes. Then rinse with water and dry!

What Do You Use Apple Cider Vinegar For?

There are so many apple cider vinegar benefits and there’s even more than 20 uses. Try out apple cider vinegar for any of the above scenarios! What have you been missing?

Want to learn more about transitioning into a more natural-use life? Check out this article on how to produce less waste.