12 Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar Uses From Cleaning to Health
Did you know that apple cider vinegar (ACV) isn’t just for dressing salads? Many people are turning to it as a natural remedy for various issues.
If you clicked on this article, you’re likely curious about the full range of uses for ACV and how it can help you. Perhaps you’re struggling to find effective, natural alternatives for skin care, weight management, or even household cleaning.
This article is here to guide you through the amazing uses of ACV. You’ll learn not just about its popular uses but also how selecting the right type of ACV can make a difference in your health and daily routines.
Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar Uses
Cleaning
Apple cider vinegar isn’t just for cooking; it’s also great for cleaning your house. It can clean dirty surfaces and unclog drains because it kills germs well.
If you mix it with water in equal parts, you get a cleaning solution that works well on many surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen.
It can get rid of mold, soap marks, and even make your windows shine.
But, don’t use it on natural stone because it might harm it.
For your toilet, you can spray or pour apple cider vinegar right into it and wait for 15 minutes before scrubbing to make it look clean.
If you have tough stains, adding some baking soda before scrubbing can make it even better. And if you have a clogged drain, pouring in baking soda followed by apple cider vinegar can help clear it up because it fizzles. Pour hot water down after to clean it out completely.
Also, if fruit flies bother you, using apple cider vinegar as a trap can help get rid of them quickly, making your kitchen a nicer place.
Kills Sinus Infection
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can help fight sinus infections.
ACV can balance pH levels and clear excess mucus buildup in the cavities. Drinking warm water with ACV may help loosen mucus and clear nasal passages. To help relieve sinusitis, mix 2 teaspoons of ACV with ¼ cup of water and either drink or swish the mixture.
Skin Health
After checking out how apple cider vinegar helps clean your house, let’s talk about how it’s also good for your skin.
Making apple cider vinegar includes a step that makes acetic acid. Acetic acid is great at fighting off germs and fungus. [1]
So, it’s really good for taking care of different skin issues like wrinkles, pimples, and sunburns.
HOW TO USE IT
- If you want to make a simple face wash at home, just mix 1/4 cup of warm water with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. This mix is great for cleaning off oil, dirt, and other stuff on your skin without being too harsh like some soaps or chemicals.
- And if you’re thinking about a skin toner, just mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts clean water. You can put it on with a cotton pad or spray it from a bottle. This can help clean your skin and make it tight, keeping it safe from germs and dirt. If your skin is usually sensitive, you might want to add more water to make it gentler.
- Got a pimple? Putting a little apple cider vinegar right on it can stop it from getting worse because of its strong germ-fighting power. Just make sure to mix the vinegar with water before you put it on your skin to keep it from getting irritated.
Weight loss
Let’s talk about losing weight. It’s pretty interesting how adding apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your diet can help.
ACV does a lot of good stuff, like detoxifying your body and making you feel less hungry. [2]
It’s packed with acetic acid, which is good for your liver and kidneys and helps make more enzymes that clean your body. [3] [4]
ACV is also good at making you feel full because the acetic acid slows down how fast your stomach empties. This means you’ll probably eat less, which is key for losing weight. [5]
Plus, ACV helps keep your blood sugar steady and makes your body respond better to insulin, which can help you lose fat and lower the chance of getting insulin resistance. [6]
HOW TO USE IT
To start, try mixing 1 tablespoon of ACV with half a cup of water and drink it in the morning or before meals to help control your hunger. You can work up to 2 tablespoons a day.
Since ACV is pretty strong, mixing it with water is important. Pay attention to how your body reacts, and if you have any stomach problems, you might need to drink less.
While ACV isn’t a magic fix, when you pair it with healthy eating and exercise, it can be a helpful part of losing weight.
Cleaning vegetables
Talking about apple cider vinegar and its role in weight loss is interesting. But, did you know it’s also great for cleaning vegetables? This is super important to make sure what we eat is safe and healthy.
Apples, for example, often have a lot of pesticides on them. It doesn’t matter if you buy organic or not, washing them with apple cider vinegar can really help get rid of bad stuff that might be on the outside.
Choosing organic fruits and veggies is good because they’re grown without harmful chemicals or wax. But sometimes, you can’t find them or they’re too expensive.
That’s where apple cider vinegar turns into a hero. It’s an awesome way to make regular fruits and veggies better for you.
HOW TO USE IT
Just mix ¼ cup of vinegar in a big bowl of water. Put your fruits and veggies in there, let them sit for about 15 minutes, and stir them around now and then. This helps clean them well. After that, just rinse them off with water.
Plants And Garden
You mightn’t know this, but using apple cider vinegar can really help your plants and garden. This stuff, which isn’t too strong, is great for feeding your plants and making the soil just right for them.
If you mix just 5 oz of apple cider vinegar with a big 5-gallon bucket of water, you can make the perfect mix for plants that love acid, like blueberries and azaleas. It really helps them grow better.
But there’s more. Apple cider vinegar is also good at keeping pests away. If you soak some cloth in it and put it around your garden, it can help keep rabbits and deer from coming in. It’s also good for catching slugs and fruit flies without having to use any chemicals.
And, apple cider vinegar is super helpful for keeping your gardening tools and the surfaces in your greenhouse clean.
If you let your tools sit in it overnight, it can take off all the dirt and rust, making them ready for when you need them next.
Cleaning your clay pots with apple cider vinegar not only makes them look better but also stops bad germs from spreading, keeping your garden in good shape.
Nail fungus
Dealing with nail fungus, or onychomycosis as doctors call it, might feel tough, but there’s a simple way to fight it at home using apple cider vinegar because of its ability to kill fungus.
Dr. Richard Rouder from S.I Podiatry says the first sign of toenail fungus is usually a white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail, which can lead to the nail changing color, getting thicker, or looking weird.
Luckily, you might already have something in your kitchen that can help. Apple cider vinegar is known for fighting fungus, making it a great option for this problem.
HOW TO USE IT
To use it, just soak your feet in a mix of warm water and apple cider vinegar for about 15 minutes, doing this twice a day. This mix can make it harder for the fungus to survive.
Dandruff
Apple cider vinegar is really good for dealing with dandruff, giving you a natural and effective way to fight it off. It calms your scalp, making irritation and redness less of a problem, while its germ-fighting abilities work against the bacteria and fungi that cause dandruff.
It also makes the environment on your scalp less friendly for dandruff by making it a bit more acidic.
To get these benefits, try using an apple cider vinegar rinse. This not only gets rid of the buildup from other hair products but also makes your hair shine and feel healthy.
Mixing it with tea tree oil is a great way to tackle dandruff head-on. If you prefer something softer, mixing apple cider vinegar with chamomile tea can help gently remove dandruff.
Or, you could make a hair mask with aloe vera and apple cider vinegar to get rid of dead skin, moisturize, and clean your scalp.
If you like applying things directly, making a paste from baking soda and apple cider vinegar can scrub away dandruff.
Finally, making a simple hair spray with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of tea tree oil is an easy homemade solution for keeping dandruff under control.
Teeth Whitening
Lots of people like using apple cider vinegar to make their teeth whiter. They think it’s good because it can clean off plaque and make their teeth look brighter.
It can also kill germs in your mouth, which stops bad breath and cavities. It’s kind of like a do-it-all for keeping your mouth healthy.
If you want to try it, you should mix the apple cider vinegar with water before you use it, kind of like a mouthwash you use now and then.
Using it sometimes can even make your teeth a bit whiter, especially if you mix it with baking soda for an extra whitening kick.
Choosing the organic kind might be even better for whitening.
But, you have to be careful. If you use it too much, it can be bad for your teeth because it’s very acidic, and you could end up damaging your teeth. It works well, but you have to be smart about how you use it.
Digestion
Apple cider vinegar is often talked about for making your teeth look better, but it’s also getting noticed for helping with digestion.
You might’ve felt bloated before, like your stomach is full or tight. The good thing about apple cider vinegar is its bacteria might be good for your stomach.
The science isn’t strong, but a study in 2007 showed it might help food move through the stomach faster in people with type 1 diabetes. This could mean it helps others digest food better too, but we need more research. [7]
For now, trying 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar before meals might help with digestion.
Also, in an article written by Doug Cook, RD in Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, he admitted and I quote:
[…] anecdotally I’ve had clients benefit from taking some apple cider vinegar diluted in water with meals when it came to relieving some post-meal ‘heaviness’[…]
Eczema relief
Eczema makes your skin itchy, red, bumpy, and flaky, which can be really annoying to deal with. People often try many treatments, including natural ones like apple cider vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar can help balance your skin’s acidity, which might make eczema symptoms better.
People with eczema have elevated skin pH levels, which can lead to a breakdown in the skin’s microbiota and a compromised skin barrier, making them more prone to infections; applying apple cider vinegar (ACV) topically may help restore the skin’s natural pH level and alleviate symptoms. [8]
Here’s a quick and interesting video by Dr. Eric Berg on ACV and Eczema, I’ve found during my research.
HOW TO USE IT
To use it for eczema, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water. Apply this diluted mix to your skin. It’s very important to dilute apple cider vinegar because its strong acidity could irritate your skin if you don’t.
Constipation
If you’re looking for home remedies for constipation, apple cider vinegar (ACV) might help you with.
While more research is needed, the high acidity in ACV can act as a natural laxative. It can help get your digestive muscles moving, making waste pass through your colon easier.
ACV has also pectin, a kind of fiber that might help your digestion and keep your digestive system and colon working well after you’re not constipated anymore.
ACV also has a bit of magnesium, which is important for regular bowel movements.
Also, the way ACV is made helps good bacteria grow. These probiotics can make your gut healthier, which might help you stay regular.
So, if you add ACV to your daily routine, it could help with not just occasional constipation but also keep your digestion on track.
A 75 old user on WebMD’s review page for ACV, said that he started using apple cider vinegar (ACV) in his diet to address constipation and bloating issues. He followed a plant-based diet with occasional eggs and chicken protein, and switched from regular vinegar to ACV.
He says that he experienced improved digestion, going twice a day to the toilet, without bloating or gas, and had increased energy and better sleep.
Additionally, he saw positive changes in their health markers, such as increased HDL, steady triglycerides, weight loss, and improved BMI.
Potential ACV Side Effects
Apple cider vinegar has lots of benefits, but it’s not all good. If you drink too much of it, you might run into some problems. It’s good to know about these so you can use it the right way.
Here’s what to keep an eye on:
- Stomach Trouble: For some, apple cider vinegar helps with digestion. But for others, it can cause uncomfortable stomach issues like feeling sick, heartburn, and not feeling hungry. This is extra important for folks with gastroparesis, a condition that makes it hard for your stomach to empty.
- Less Potassium and Weak Bones: Drinking a lot of it can lower the potassium in your body and might make your bones weaker over time. This is because of the acetic acid in it.
- Teeth Problems: The acid in apple cider vinegar can wear away your tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Make sure to dilute it before drinking and maybe rinse your mouth out with water after to keep your teeth safe.
- Skin and Throat Burns: If apple cider vinegar touches your skin or throat without being watered down, it can burn. Always mix it with water and try not to let it touch these areas directly.
Knowing about these side effects means you can enjoy apple cider vinegar without running into trouble. Just remember, not too much is the way to go.
How To Choose An Apple Cider Vinegar?
When picking out apple cider vinegar, it’s important to look at a few things like how it’s made, if it’s organic, and if it has the mother in it, to get the most health perks.
- Aim for bottles that say ‘raw‘ or ‘unpasteurized.’ These kinds aren’t heated up and keep all their good stuff. They’re full of healthy bacteria that are good for your stomach and overall health.
- Going for organic apple cider vinegar is a smart choice too. Organic means you’re not getting any unwanted pesticides, which is always something to avoid with anything that comes from the ground. This way, you’re getting a cleaner product that’s better for you and the environment.
- Now, about the mother. It might look weird, but it’s actually what you want. This cloudy stuff at the bottom of the bottle shows it’s a really good vinegar. It comes from the vinegar making process and has lots of enzymes and live bacteria. These are the key parts that make apple cider vinegar so good for you. So, don’t be put off by the mother; it’s the best bit.
Types of apple cider vinegar?
Looking into the different types of apple cider vinegar, you’ll find a bunch of choices, each with its special perks and features.
Here’s a quick guide to the types you might run into while figuring out what’s best for you.
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| With the Mother | Has a bit of sediment made by good bacteria from making acetic acid. This kind is full of healthy stuff for your body. |
| Unfiltered | Doesn’t remove the “mother,” so it looks cloudy. Has benefits like the one “with the mother” because of the good bacteria. |
| Filtered | It’s clear and amber since the “mother” is gone. People think it’s not as good for you as the unfiltered types. |
| Organic | Made with apples grown without pesticides. It’s a good choice if you want something cleaner and possibly better for you. |
| Unpasteurized | It hasn’t been heated up to kill bacteria, so it keeps the active stuff and good bacteria from the “mother.” |
| Raw | Not processed, so it keeps its natural good stuff and bacteria because it hasn’t been heated, cleaned up, or changed. |
Each kind has something special, from the healthy bacteria in unpasteurized and raw types to the cleaner, pesticide-free organic apple cider vinegar. Pick the one that fits your health goals and what you like.
Recommended Apple Cider Vinegars
Below, you’ll find a table highlighting some of the top recommended apple cider vinegars, each known for their quality and unique benefits.
Let’s take a closer look at what sets these options apart.
| Brand | Type | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bragg | Organic, With the Mother | Raw, Unfiltered |
| Fairchild’s | Organic, Raw & Unfiltered | High Acidity 5% |
| Willy’s | Organic, With the Mother | Crafted from 300-year-old orchards |
1. Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother– Raw, Unfiltered
Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar With the Mother is a favorite among people who care a lot about their health and want something natural and not messed with. This product is organic, which means it’s made without any weird chemicals, and it keeps The Mother.
It’s not too expensive, which is great, and people say it helps keep your immune system strong, makes your digestion better, and can even help keep your blood sugar in check if you have diabetes.
But, just a heads up, some folks have said it upset their stomach a bit, but that usually gets better if you just take less of it. Also, watch out because sometimes the bottles come broken or damaged.
Start with a little bit and see how it goes so you can enjoy all the good things it offers without any trouble.
2. Fairchild’s Organic Raw & Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
If you’re on the hunt for an apple cider vinegar that’s strong and comes from a company with a long history of quality, check out Fairchild’s Organic Raw & Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar.
Made by Golden Valley Vinegar since 1909, this vinegar is pure, not filtered or pasteurized, and it has a deep, golden color.
It also has ‘the Mother’ in it, which adds to its benefits. What sets it apart is that it’s not watered down, so it’s really effective.
They bottle it in glass to keep the quality high. People really like it for its bold taste, the way it looks, and the health perks it offers, like more energy and better blood sugar levels.
Even if there are sometimes issues with shipping, the company’s good customer service and the vinegar’s benefits make it a top choice for everyday health use.
3. Willy’s Organic ACV Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother
Another good apple cider vinegar is Willy’s Organic ACV Apple Cider Vinegar with Mother. Made on a farm in Herefordshire, this raw and unpasteurized vinegar is free from gluten and lactose and even gets the thumbs up from Vegetarian and Vegan Societies.
It tastes smooth, so it’s easy to add to your daily meals, whether you’re trying to clean your body, improve your gut health, or lose some weight. The handy tap and the option to refill the eco-friendly, brown glass bottle that keeps the light out are pretty cool features.
People really like how it tastes in water, on salads, and in other dishes, saying it’s worth the money and feels refreshing. It’s definitely a good choice for anyone looking to try apple cider vinegar for its health benefits or in cooking.
Bottom Line
You’ve seen how versatile apple cider vinegar (ACV) can be, from sprucing up your cleaning routine to enhancing your skin, aiding in weight loss, and even giving your garden a boost.
While exploring its uses and benefits, remember to be mindful of potential side effects and choose the right type for your needs.
With a variety of options available, finding an ACV that fits your lifestyle can elevate your wellness journey.
So, embrace the power of ACV and see the difference it makes!
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Where is the part in this article that tells how to kill a sinus infection with ACV. I read it three times and there is nothing mentioning sinuses.
Hello Sharon,
Actually, it doesn’t and thank you for pointing it out to us. We’ve updated the article with this point as well.