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8 Other Uses For Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar, also well known as ACV, is a potent substance that is made from fermented apples, yeast, and special bacteria.
Vinegars of all types have been utilized for thousands of years for food preservation and flavor, and mentioned in various historical texts, including the new and old testaments of the bible.
In the past few decades, ACV has become increasingly popular for the various health benefits of regular consumption of this vinegar in your diet.
This article will discuss the benefits of apple cider vinegar around your home and garden, as well as ways you can utilize topical applications of apple cider vinegar for your skin and hair.
8 Other Uses For Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Apple Cider Vinegar as A Facial Toner
Apple cider vinegar, when diluted, works fantastically as a facial toner.
ACV helps to balance out the skin’s pH levels by introducing more acidity, which can help cut down on oil production, reduce the size of pores, and help remove bacteria from the skin that can lead to acne breakouts.
Pure apple cider vinegar applied directly onto the skin may cause irritation and burns, so make sure to dilute one part ACV with three to four parts distilled water.
Depending on your skin type, you may find that a stronger or weaker dilution is required, so make small batches until you find what ratio works best for you. You can make larger batches and store them in a cool dry place for up to a month. (1)
2. Apple Cider Vinegar as An All-Purpose Cleanser
Apple cider vinegar is a fantastic alternative to harsh, chemically-laden products that are commonly found in groceries today, which are often unsafe to be used around pets and children. Not to mention, it is cheaper than most brands of detergents and soaps, and it is environmentally-friendly too.
An easy, all-purpose cleanser made of one part apple cider vinegar to one part warm purified water (usually two cups to two cups), can be used on any surface that all-purposes are suitable for with no need to wash off.
Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil to cut down on the vinegar smell and freshen up any room of the house.
For particularly difficult stains or cleansing, add two teaspoons of baking soda to the mixture. (2)
3. Apple Cider Vinegar as A Fruit Fly Trap
Some say that this is one of the most convenient life hacks for home improvement. No matter how hard you try, some kitchens are just particularly prone to fruit fly infestations in the warmer months, and it is hard to get rid of these flies without compromising the safety of your kitchen.
Simply leave a dish of apple cider vinegar with a couple of drops of dish soap where fruit flies are congregating, and you will quickly see a reduction in the number of these pesky flies.
Fruit flies are attracted to the strong, fruit scent of the apple cider vinegar, and the dish soap will help prevent the flies from flying out of the mixture. (3)
4. Apple Cider Vinegar for Healthy Hair
There are a variety of different health benefits associated with consuming ACV orally, but many people also swear by using apple cider vinegar for the hair and scalp.
After shampooing and before conditioning, spray your hair with one part water and one part apple cider vinegar. The vinegar helps to smooth down the hair shaft, making it an excellent detangler. (4)
People who are suffering from psoriasis of the scalp may find relief with a similar mixture of one part vinegar to one part water. Vinegar helps to get rid of the itching and burning associated with psoriasis and chronic dandruff. (5)
5. Apple Cider Vinegar Repels Cats From Cords
One of the struggles for owners of cats, ferrets, rabbits, and other small animals is keeping their pets safe and preventing them from chewing on cords that pose an electrocution risk.
Simply dilute one part vinegar with one part water and use a spray bottle to coat the area you wish your animal to avoid.
The strong taste of the vinegar will keep your pet safe and your belongings in working order. (6)
6. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Be Used as Laundry Detergent
Modern laundry detergents such as Tide and Gain may smell amazing, but tend to be full of chemicals, perfumes, and dyes that are potentially toxic and and can be easily absorbed through the skin.
These toxins can be harmful to anyone, especially to pregnant women and people with sensitive skin.
Apple cider vinegar can be used as an all natural laundry detergent due to its antibacterial properties, and also works as a fabric softener to reduce static. Apple cider vinegar will also remove the chemical build-up left behind on your clothes and laundry machine.
Simply substitute one fourth cup apple cider vinegar for your commercial laundry detergent and reap the benefits of this all natural detergent. Apple cider vinegar is safe to use on virtually all types of fabrics. (7)
7. Apple Cider Vinegar Works as A Fertilizer
Another life hack is that ACV can work as a natural, organic fertilizer in your garden, providing important nutrients for your soil and your plants.
It’s important to dilute one ounce of apple cider vinegar in one gallon of water in order to avoid irritation to the plants. Blueberries and many flowers are particular to acidic fertilizers and thrive with regular use. (8)
8. Apple Cider Vinegar Can Be Used to Repel Fleas
For owners of dogs and cats that have access to the outdoors, flea prevention is crucial. However, many of the commercial treatments used to prevent fleas can actually have detrimental effects on your pet’s central nervous system, which in turn, can cause a handful of different problems throughout the body.
Instead, spray your dog or cat with one part apple cider vinegar and one part water. This will not kill fleas, but will repel the fleas from your animals due to the strong bitter taste.
You can also mix one cup apple cider vinegar in with one gallon of bath water to help repel fleas and other pests. (9)
How To Find The Best Apple Cider Vinegar
A bottle of apple cider vinegar is fairly easy to find in most grocery stores, but it is important to know what kind of vinegar is best in the market for maximum benefits for the body, and for home improvement purposes.
Look for apple cider vinegar that is raw and unpasteurized that still contains ‘The Mother’. The Mother is the cloudy part of apple cider vinegar that contains important proteins, enzymes, and bacteria that give this liquid most of its benefits.
Vinegar that still contains the mother may be a little more difficult to find, but should be readily available in most health food stores and convenience stores. (10)
Bragg is the most common brand of vinegar that still contains the mother, but as the popularity of the mother increases, more brands are leaving it in.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar is a helpful and relatively cost-effective substance to keep in your pantry, as it can help control diabetes, aid in weight loss, help lower cholesterol, as well as help keep your home clean and your garden beautiful.
Make sure you put apple cider vinegar on your grocery list to start reaping the benefits of this fantastic, multi-purpose vinegar.