Apple cider vinegar has recently made an appearance in many pantries, but it’s not just for cooking! This wonder liquid is magic everywhere. In addition to a daily shot of it—give it a week to get used to the taste—people use it to clean, disinfect, kill weeds, eliminate odors, improve indoor air quality, and even prevent hair loss for healthy hair.
While apple cider vinegar has some things in common with white vinegar and lemon juice, it’s gentler than white vinegar, and has more antibacterial benefits than lemon juice. Because it’s made from fermented apples, unlike white vinegar, it may also contain trace vitamins, like vitamin C. It can replace household surface cleaners, eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke, increase shine for all hair types, and mix well with essential oils for a natural indoor air freshener. It’s also a refreshing drink replacement for soda.
Studies show that raw, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar yields the most benefits. You’ll find several brands at the grocery store, but our current fave is Bragg organic.
Health Benefits
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cups water
Though its taste can be a bit bitter, drinking apple cider vinegar every day has health benefits as it’s rich in malic and acetic acids and potassium. It might not taste the same, but once you get used to it, many people like to use it to replace soda! Starting with two tablespoons and then adjusting for taste, mix apple cider vinegar into two cups of water and drink up to:
- Potentially help with weight loss (thanks to its acetic acid)
- Maintain your body’s alkaline pH level
- Help detox your liver
- Help reduce heartburn
- Help your body fight candida
- Help clear up blemishes and skin conditions
- Help improve irregularity
Facial Toner
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cups water
Dilute one cup of vinegar to two cups of water and use as a natural toner for your face to help tighten skin and reduce breakouts. We recommend applying up to your hairline—for your scalp, see the next section. You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a homemade treatment that’s just as good as a store-bought product!
Hair Treatment
Winter is known to wreak havoc on hair making your locks dry and dull. Apple cider vinegar to the rescue! After shampooing, rinse a few tablespoons through your hair (make sure you focus on your head and scalp) and say goodbye to build-up and frizzy hair, and hello to shinier locks. While you might be tempted to add essential oils for a better-smelling product, it’s best to leave the essential oil out of this vinegar hair rinse, as it can clog hair follicles on your scalp.
For straight, wavy and curly hair alike, this mixture keeps your scalp healthy and prevents hair loss. Apple cider vinegar is especially great for curly hair: it doesn’t weigh down strands like silicone-based conditioners, so it lets your curly hair shine without losing bounce! Regardless of your hair type, adding apple cider vinegar to your hair care routine can help keep your scalp healthy by warding off bacteria and keeping a balanced pH level, which prevents hair loss and encourages growth. Goodbye hair loss, hello healthy hair!
Sunburn Soother
Summer is around the corner, and though you should always wear sunscreen, ACV can be used to soothe a sunburn. Mix one cup of apple cider vinegar into a bath, sit back and soak. This is a great way to soothe a sunburned scalp, which can be tricky for people to reach with products, depending on hair type. Add a few drops of a soothing essential oil like lavender or chamomile, and your parched skin will thank you.
Disinfectant
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
Apple cider vinegar is a natural disinfectant and works great in the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Like white vinegar, it’s tough on mold and bad smells. You can use it on windows, most surfaces, and carpets. Dilute a half-cup of ACV with one cup of water, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils if you’d like, and get cleaning!
ACV isn’t just limited to surfaces and windows. You can also use it to clean your washing machine. Add two cups of vinegar as you would detergent and run the washing machine without clothes. This works with two cups of white vinegar, too. White vinegar can also be used as fabric softener, and it’s recommended over ACV, due to its more neutral color. For the same reason, if you have white carpets, you’ll want to use white vinegar instead of ACV—otherwise, those carpets might turn orange!
For an added bonus, you can clean a clogged drain by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup of apple cider vinegar (white vinegar works too). Let the soda and cup of white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar, sit for five minutes or so, then rinse the drain well with hot water for 30 seconds, then with cold water.
Air Freshener and Deodorizer
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
Apple cider vinegar naturally eliminates odors without using chemicals, so dilute it with equal parts water, add to a spray bottle, and spritz it around your living room for a fresh clean scent. Studies have shown that ACV kills bacteria, so it can improve your indoor air quality. This works with white vinegar as well, but ACV has a gentler, more fruity vinegar smell that’s better suited to indoor air. If the vinegar smell is still too much for your indoor air, add essential oils and open windows. Our favorites are fresh, light smells like lemon and peppermint.
Flea Repellent
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¾ cup water
Protect your favorite pup from fleas by spraying a mix of one-quarter apple cider vinegar to three-quarters water. You might need to make more, depending on your dog’s size and hair type. This easy homemade product also kills bacteria that might be hanging around. Added bonus: A shiny coat! While we don’t recommend using this as a replacement for your vet-recommended flea repellant, it makes for a great additional source of protection when your pup will be outdoors for extended periods such as camping trips.
Garden Weed Killer
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 gallon water
Summer means more time in the garden, fresh veggies, and unfortunately, some weeds. Mix one-part apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) to eight parts water, spray on weeds, and watch ‘em disappear within a week. You’ll save time on weeding and your veggies will thank you.
Produce Wash
4 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 gallon water
Wash those fresh garden veggies—and all store-bought ones, too—with an apple cider vinegar solution. Mix four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of water and rinse to keep dirt, bacteria and pesticides away. ACV isn’t as strong as white vinegar, but it’s still important to dilute vinegar with the full gallon of water. Not only is this an easy mixture, it’s a much more natural product than the conventional produce cleansers found at the grocery store.
It’s amazing how many uses there are for apple cider vinegar, from your bathroom to your kitchen to your garden! We hope that you enjoy testing out all the ways that it can improve your life.
FAQs
What are the 10 benefits of apple cider vinegar? ›
- Boosts Stomach Acid Production. ...
- Healthy Cholesterol. ...
- Healthy Weight Loss. ...
- Healthy Blood Sugar. ...
- Less Cravings. ...
- Powerful Antioxidant. ...
- Topical Disinfectant. ...
- Improves Assimilation of Nutrients.
Drinking apple cider vinegar may support weight loss goals, lower your blood sugar and insulin, and fight bacterial and fungal infections.
What happens if I drink apple cider vinegar every morning? ›Taking a shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning on an empty stomach is one practice that many wellness gurus claim helps you lose weight, reduce hunger, and remove toxins from your system.
Are there actual benefits to drinking apple cider vinegar? ›Rich in antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, ACV is touted for health benefits such as helping to control blood sugar. While many potential uses and claims aren't backed by scientific evidence, some suggest a handful of benefits for consuming apple cider vinegar.
How much apple cider vinegar should you drink daily? ›Common dosages range from 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 mL) to 1–2 tablespoon (15–30 mL) per day mixed in a large glass of water. It's best to start with small doses and avoid taking large amounts. Too much vinegar can cause harmful side effects, including tooth enamel erosion and potential drug interactions.
How many times should I drink apple cider vinegar per day? ›As a guide, take 1-2 teaspoons or 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per day mixed in a glass of water. How often? It is recommended to take it no more than twice a day to prevent side effects such as nausea and erosion of tooth enamel.
Is apple cider vinegar good for your kidneys and liver? ›ACV may even help reduce pain and inflammation from kidney stones. It helps rid the body of toxins and excess minerals that can lead to kidney stones. According to some, ACV has a cleansing effect on the kidney and liver.
What happens if I drink apple cider vinegar every night? ›Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals or right before bedtime may benefit your blood sugar levels the most. For example, one study in people with type 2 diabetes found that taking 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of apple cider vinegar at bedtime for 2 days reduced fasting blood sugar levels by up to 6% ( 7 ).
What does apple cider vinegar do to your body at night? ›Apple cider vinegar contains a variety of B complex vitamins and potassium that are essential to combating insomnia and promoting better sleep.
How much apple cider vinegar should you drink in a week? ›ACV is generally safe when consumed in moderation — no more than 1 to 2 tablespoons (tbsp) daily. But drinking excessive amounts of ACV can decrease potassium to hazardous levels. ACV may interact with some medications (including diuretics, laxatives, and certain medications for diabetes and heart disease).
What does apple cider vinegar do for hair? ›
Science supports the use of apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse. It could help strengthen hair and improve luster by lowering hair and scalp pH. It may also keep pesky scalp infections and itchiness at bay.
What can apple cider vinegar do for females? ›Helps with painful periods: ACV can help relieve bloating, cramps, and irritability caused by PMS or periods. Regulates blood sugar levels: ACV may help regulate blood sugar levels, especially after a starchy meal.
Is it better to drink apple cider vinegar in the morning or at night? ›The fermented juice may slow down the emptying of your stomach and prevent spikes in the blood sugar level. ACV consumption has also been proven beneficial in increasing insulin sensitivity. Drinking that concoction particularly at night can be more beneficial than having it any other time of the day.
What is the downside of apple cider vinegar? ›What Are the Risks of Apple Cider Vinegar? Since it's high in acid, apple cider vinegar could irritate your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat and stomach) if you drink it straight or drink too much of it. Undiluted ACV can also break down tooth enamel.
What should be the first thing to drink in the morning? ›1. Make over your morning glass of water. The benefits of drinking water (at least 2 cups) first thing in the morning are plenty. Besides flushing out toxins and providing some much-needed hydration, this amount of water can increase your metabolism .
What is the best time to drink apple cider vinegar? ›Sip your apple cider vinegar drink first thing in the morning or right before a meal. Taken before a meal, the vinegar drink can help you feel full faster, which can aid in weight loss.
What medications does apple cider vinegar interfere with? ›Since apple cider vinegar in large doses is connected to a reduction of potassium in the body, care must be taken with other medications that lower potassium. These include insulin, diuretics like furosemide (Lasix) or chlorothiazide (Diuril), some blood pressure medications like digoxin (Lanoxin), and even laxatives.
Do you refrigerate apple cider vinegar? ›You don't have to refrigerate apple cider vinegar once it's opened. Instead, store it in a pantry or cabinet, away from direct sunlight. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic.
What does turmeric and apple cider vinegar do? ›Apple Cider Vinegar Turmeric Detox Drink is a healthy way to start the day— clears toxins, aids in digestion and absorption of nutrients, and boosts energy.
Can apple cider vinegar lower blood sugar immediately? ›HbA1c levels reflect a person's blood glucose levels over many weeks or months. On a short-term basis, groups taking apple cider vinegar saw significant improvement in blood glucose levels 30 minutes after consuming the vinegar.
How much apple cider vinegar should you drink a day to lower cholesterol? ›
Common dosages range from 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 mL) to 1–2 tablespoon (15–30 mL) per day mixed in a large glass of water. It's best to start with small doses and avoid taking large amounts. Too much vinegar can cause harmful side effects, including tooth enamel erosion and potential drug interactions.
What is the best way to take apple cider vinegar daily? ›- Drink it before meals.
- Drink it in the morning.
- Dilute it with water.
- Add some type of sweetener.
Apple Cider vinegar should not cause any damage to the kidneys.
What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys? ›While plain water is the best drink for your kidneys, other fluids are perfectly acceptable, including coffee, green tea, low-potassium juices, and infused water. Avoid sweetened, carbonated beverages and coconut water.
Is lemon water good for kidneys? ›Lemons contain citrate, which helps prevent calcium from building up and forming stones in your kidneys. Interestingly, the benefit doesn't seem to be present in oranges, making lemon a unique tool in kidney stone prevention.
What helps seniors sleep better? ›- Take a warm bath. When you get out of the tub, the drop in body temperature may help you feel tired. ...
- Take time to calm down before you turn out the lights. ...
- Make the bedroom a sleep zone. ...
- Avoid afternoon naps. ...
- Don't drink alcohol close to bedtime. ...
- Drink less fluids at night.
Drinking ACV right after a meal can delay digestion. Thus, it's best to have it before a meal or empty stomach to maximise its health benefits.
Who should not drink apple cider vinegar? ›02/7When on diabetes drugs and Insulin
Indeed, apple cider vinegar is known to prevent diabetes, but when you are already on diabetes drugs or on insulin, avoid having apple cider vinegar. These medications decrease your blood sugar level and when combined with ACV, your blood sugar might get too low.
ACV may even help reduce pain and inflammation from kidney stones. It helps rid the body of toxins and excess minerals that can lead to kidney stones. According to some, ACV has a cleansing effect on the kidney and liver.
Does drinking apple cider vinegar before bed help? ›Many people complain about digestion-related issues in the morning like difficulty in the bowel movement or heartburn. Drinking ACV before going to bed can ease digestion related issues and you may enjoy your morning to the fullest. It is an excellent home remedy for digestive problems.
Is apple cider vinegar OK on an empty stomach? ›
Can You Drink Apple Cider Vinegar on an Empty Stomach? Yes, you can drink diluted apple cider vinegar on an empty stomach. In fact, it's the recommended way to take ACV. Just wait about 20 minutes or so after drinking apple cider vinegar to eat.