Apple cider vinegar, or ACV as it’s often called, has been used in folk medicine for centuries. But it has recently found its way into all-natural cleaning products, too. It’s one of the easiest ways to deodorize your home, and there are many other uses that you may not be aware of! This article will outline 8 uses for apple cider vinegar, plus instructions on how to use ACV in each case.
1) Hair care
There are many uses for apple cider vinegar. Many people use it as a rinse and will experience an increase in volume, shine, and manageability after using. If you’re interested in having longer, stronger hair, then apple cider vinegar is your best bet. Massage your scalp with a mixture of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with two tablespoons of water. Rinse your hair thoroughly afterwards and make sure not to use shampoo. After three days you will notice increased thickness and body as well as reduced oiliness. This may leave your hair smelling like salad, but don’t worry—it will eventually wash out!
2) Body Care
Use apple cider vinegar as a body wash or facial toner. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water and use like you would any other soap. Rinse well and pat dry. Since ACV is an acid, do not apply directly to broken skin; if your skin is sensitive, dilute with more water before applying. Also try mixing one part ACV with five parts water as a body spray: spritz your body after a shower or bath to help remove excess oil, sweat, and dirt from your skin’s surface.
3) Skin Care
You can use apple cider vinegar as a natural toner by mixing 1 part of vinegar with 4 parts water and adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz onto your face after cleansing. For added benefits, add 2–3 tablespoons of raw honey or aloe vera juice before storing in an airtight container. Use once or twice daily.
4) Weight Loss
Because apple cider vinegar helps reduce bloating, some people have turned to drinking a teaspoon of vinegar with a glass of water first thing in the morning. This is said to help burn calories and fat during digestion. The best way you can use apple cider vinegar for weight loss is in salad dressings. A homemade vinaigrette with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar provides only 60 calories per serving. You can also add some freshly ground black pepper or cinnamon to spice up your vinaigrette even more!
5) Cleaning
A word of warning before we get started: It’s easy to become a little apple-crazy and try out every single one of these suggestions. Just be sure you don’t overdo it, as too much vinegar can be drying and irritating. Try just one or two uses a week to start and see how your skin reacts. If all is well, slowly incorporate more into your routine!
6) Emergency First Aid Kit
When accidents happen, you’ll be glad you’ve got a bottle of vinegar handy. To create an emergency first aid kit with apple cider vinegar, gather together items like alcohol wipes and gauze pads or tissues. Fill a spray bottle with half water and half apple cider vinegar and keep it by your kitchen sink; simply spray a bit of liquid onto any cuts or scrapes before applying bandages. You can also add about three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your bathwater for some relief from muscle aches after exercising hard or even help with digestive issues by mixing about two tablespoons into 12 ounces of water.
7) Personal Care Products
By mixing 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into your bath water, you can improve your skin’s appearance and texture. The acidity of apple cider vinegar is a natural exfoliant, meaning that it dissolves dead skin cells more quickly than most soaps can. This helps with dry, scaly skin and leaves you feeling soft and smooth. The same benefits apply when you make a mask out of apple cider vinegar—just remember that ACV will burn if left on longer than 10 minutes! To be safe, just leave it on for 5 minutes as you would any other mask.
8) General Health and Wellness
When most people think of apple cider vinegar, they think of salad dressings and other culinary uses. However, there are many health benefits associated with using ACV regularly. The following is a short list of some of them: 40 Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar: 1. Make a quick salad dressing by mixing ACV with olive oil and honey or agave nectar, or try one of these other flavorful recipes 2. Create your own DIY shampoo 3. Tame flyaways by spritzing your hair before styling 4. Treat skin irritation from bug bites 5. Soothe a sore throat 6. Relieve sinus pressure 7. Clean fruits and vegetables naturally 8…
