29 Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest foods and it's been in use for thousands of years. Not only is it easy to make at home, but apple cider vinegar is one of the most versatile tools you have in your home and medicine cabinet.

As a modern homesteader and natural living pioneer lifestyle loving junky, yep, I totally admit it, I absolutely adore having an item I can put to use in many different ways. Especially when said item is one I can make at home with ease.

Here's how to make easy homemade raw apple cider vinegar with just 2 ingredients and 2 steps!

Click here–>Easy Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe

What are the Components in Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is fermented apples. We're quickly learning that not only is fermentation of our food a way to preserve it (our ancestors knew this) but it also has many health benefits as well. Apple cider vinegar is taking apples and water and letting them ferment twice to create vinegar, which is high in acetic acid.

Apple cider vinegar also contains pectin, some B vitamins, folic acid, niacin, Vitamin C, minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron, though not enough to be your multi-vitamin. *Source

Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Health

Apple cider vinegar is thought to help with many areas in our health, and recently science is showing this to have real promise as well.

Keep in mind, not all apple cider vinegar is created equal. Look closely, some apple cider vinegar on the store shelves is really colored and flavored to look like apple cider vinegar. Read the fine print on the label.

If you're not making it at home (trust me, it's one of the easiest things you'll ever make in the fermenting world) then look for one with the mother, it's that kind of cloudy, stringy, cob webby thing floating inside the vinegar. And because apples have such a high pesticide load, go for organic.

Health Concerns with Apple Cider Vinegar, it's important to note that too much apple cider vinegar can cause a reduction in potassium levels and in bone density.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor and this is not providing any kind of diagnosis or treatment. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.

With apple cider vinegar, a little bit goes a long ways. It's best thought to start with 1 to 2 teaspoons and always diluted with water or liquid if drinking it, some people work up to 1 to 2 Tablespoons, but it's not recommended to go over this amount.

1. Apple cider vinegar with diabetes and blood sugar, showing to help improve insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. In this study, people drank 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in water 2 minutes before eating a high carbohydrate meal. They then tested their blood sugar levels at different intervals and showed overall improvement. *Source/study data
   However, before adding in any changes to your regular diet/protocol, if you have any health conditions check with your doctor and pharmacist first.
2. Apple cider vinegar with blood pressure. Keep in mind, this study was done on rats, not on humans, but there was some promise. It showed that the rats blood pressure and renin activity were reduced. *Source/study data
3. Apple cider vinegar with cholesterol. Again, this study was conducted on rats and not on people, but it does show promise in helping aid the body to maintain a healthier cholesterol level. The study showed some levels of cholesterol were lowered, but not all. *Source/study data
4. Apple cider vinegar for weight loss. This was pretty minimal in overall weight loss, but in a study done in Japan with 175 people those who used apple cider vinegar lost 1 to 2 more pounds over 3 months.  *Source/study data
5.  Indigestion or stomach acid. If you have stomach acid issues, sometimes its caused by an imbalance of the ph levels in your stomach. Some people swear by drinking a teaspoon or two of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water helps with indigestion or stomach acid issues. Again, consult with your doctor if you have health issues or concerns.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Skin Care

Apple cider vinegar should always be diluted before being used topically. Start with a 25% vinegar to 75% water ratio first to see how your skin reacts.

6. Facial Toner/acne. Apple cider vinegar is acidic and has anti-bacteria properties, making it a perfect skin toner. It helps with bacteria and the acetic acid in the vinegar helps maintain the ph balance of your skin, especially if you've used a cleaner with soap.
7. Hair rinse. Mix 1 cup of water with 2 to 4 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and rinse your hair with it. It helps removes any build up of product and also increases shine.
8. Scalp Treatment for Dandruff. Because apple cider vinegar is acidic and has anti-microbial properties, it can work wonders for  your scalp. Apply the above rinse to your scalp, working it into the roots of the hair, then rinse.
9. Under arm treatment. Many people want to use natural deodorants, but a lot of these deodorants use baking soda and a percentage of people break out from the alkalinity of the baking soda. Using a pre-rinse under the arms of diluted vinegar helps create a more natural ph level and allows some people to use the baking soda based deodorants without irritation.
10. Sun Burn many people swear by dabbing apple cider vinegar diluted with cold water onto a sun burn.
11. Athletes foot. Some people say soaking your feet in a diluted mixture of water and apple cider vinegar helps with athletes foot.
12. Bug bite.Many people like to use diluted apple cider vinegar as a treatment to help take away the itch from a bug bite.

Apple Cider Vinegar in the Cleaning Cupboard

13.Clogged drain cleaner. Take about 1/4 cup of baking soda and dump it down your drain, chase it with vinegar until it stops foaming. Wait about 15 minutes and then pour boiling water down your drain.
14. Multi-purpose cleaner. Use 1/4 to 1/2 apple cider vinegar and dilute with water. Use as a multi-purpose cleaner for windows, mirrors, counter tops, etc.
15. Laundry cleaner. Oh yes, place vinegar and water into the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine. It helps kill odor causing bacteria.
16. Faucet cleaner. You know that gunk around the handles of your sink faucet? Place a paper towel with vinegar around it, leave for a few minutes, then come back and wipe clean.
17. Floor cleaner. Instead of using soap to mop your floors (hello soap scum build up) add some vinegar to your warm water and mop the floor with it.
18. Fruit Fly Killer. Fruit flies drive me bonkers. Fill the bottom of a small glass jar or bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a couple of drops of dish soap. Fruit flies will come flocking, fall beneath the surface of the soap, and drown.

Apple Cider Vinegar in the Kitchen

19. Soak your beans. We all know beans can create a little bit of… ya know, gas. When soaking your dry beans, add a Tablespoon of vinegar to the water and soak for at least 8 hours to help decrease the gas.
20. Soak your grains. Vinegar helps break down the phytic acid in grains and flour, which helps many people digest it easier.
21. Flakier pie crust. Oh, yeah, melt in your mouth pie crust happens with vinegar. Here's my great-grandmother's flaky pie crust recipe with the secret ingredient- apple cider vinegar!
22. Better no-knead bread texture. Yes, add a couple of Tablespoons to your no knead bread recipes for a lighter texture, like this no-knead bread in 5 minutes a day recipe!
23. Quick buttermilk. Let me tell you, buttermilk makes the best breads and biscuits, but if you don't have buttermilk, don't despair, just add 1 Tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup milk and let sit for 2 minutes.
24. Salad dressing. Make your own salad dressing with 3 parts oil of choice and 1 part vinegar and spices to flavor (I kind of like garlic myself).
25. Homemade Mayo. Whip up some homemade mayo!
26. Flavored Vinegar. Don't spend money on those flavored vinegars, make your own! Here's how to make blueberry basil thyme vinegar You can toss just about any fruit, berries or cherries work really well, let them sit in the vinegar to infuse it, then strain and store in the fridge until ready to eat it up!

Bonus! 3 Extra Ways to Use Vinegar

27. Produce Wash. Make a vinegar wash to clean your produce before putting it up in the fridge, use 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar, but of course, your sink needs to be clean before filling it with this mix to wash the veggies and fruits with. Let them sit for 5 to 10 minutes, rinse, dry and store in the fridge.

28. Homemade Electrolyte Drink. Don't waste your money on sugar filled sports drinks. Hydrate with this healthy Old Fashioned Switchel instead!

29. Wash your winter squash. When you bring in your pumpkins, spaghetti squash, acorn squash, butternut squash and other winter squashes, wipe off the outside of them with a towel dampened with vinegar. This will help kill any bacteria and remove any dirt on the surface to help them last longer while on the shelf.

I'm not a doctor. This post isn't meant as a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you, just so we're clear, it's for educational and entertainment purposes. I believe this to be true for modern and holistic/natural medicine, each person has to be responsible for what they use and do their own due diligence. I talk about treatment plans with my doctor, my naturopath, my pharmacist (who happens to also be my boss in my day job), and do further research online or in books. I recommend you do the same.

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