40 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar Around the Home and Homestead

Have you heard the good news about apple cider vinegar? I’ll guess you have: if you are a health junkie or homesteader you can’t go a day without people talking about it. To some, it’s a miraculous health-booster. To others, a must-have ingredient in the kitchen. And still to others, a valuable germ-fighter in the home.

In reality, the truth about ACV lies somewhere in the middle, but it really can do a little bit of everything. It’s natural, safe, and very easy to use no matter what you’re using it for…

That’s why I reach for it time after time in my home and when working around the homestead. And you should too! I’ve got some awesome uses for you below.

For Pickling

No surprise here, apple cider vinegar is an awesome food preservative, particularly when used for pickling.

Compared to other kinds of vinegar, it has a smoother, slightly sweeter, and vaguely fruity flavor, which is really nice. It also works wonders for deactivating the enzymes and bacteria that cause spoilage in the first place.

When using it for this purpose, just pay attention to the strength required in your recipe and buy accordingly.

In Tasty Homemade Salad Dressing

If you’ve ever had ACV by itself, you know it is punchy and powerful, but it mellows out wonderfully as part of a salad dressing recipe. There are tons of recipes out there, so find one that fits your taste and give it a try.

Whipping Up Awesome Eggs

Savvy home chefs know that ACV is the secret ingredient to making the most perfect eggs you’ve ever had… That’s because the acidity firms up egg whites beautifully.

Simply add a generous splash of ACV to the boiling water immediately prior to popping in your eggs when boiling or poaching.

Make a Killer Meat Marinade

Marinades are always a super simple and easy way to make your meats taste marvelous. ACV happens to be my favorite core component for lots of different marinades, be it for beef, chicken, pork or something else.

Add a cup or more of the vinegar to a dish or freezer bag, and then add other ingredients like soy sauce, wine, salt, pepper, and other seasonings to your taste.

Mix Up Tasty Sauces

Once you try making your own sauces at home, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff.

Barbecue sauce, ketchup, glazes, chutneys, and more are all made delicious with the delightful tang of apple cider vinegar. Just go easy on the quantity! Usually a tablespoon or a little more is all it takes.

Punch-Up Your Favorite Soup

Is your favorite soup recipe letting you down? Does it not quite have enough flavor? Try adding just a dash of apple cider vinegar. It will help the other flavors mingle better and make the soup taste brighter and more flavorful.

This is one of those things you can add at the very end; start with just a dash, stir and taste, and then add a little more at a time until it’s just right.

Bake an Awesome Cake

Apple cider vinegar can be a true secret weapon in your baking repertoire. It can help all kinds of baked goods rise, add a yummy but subtle flavor, and be used as an egg substitute, dough tenderizer, or dough enhancer.

Obviously, this isn’t something you want to do willy-nilly unless you are experienced, but you’ll find plenty of recipes that call for it.

For Thoroughly Washing Fruit

Modern, store-bought fruits are often coated in waxes and other more mysterious and potentially harmful preservatives. ACV can help you gently but thoroughly scrub these coatings away to minimize the impact on your family’s health.

In a large bowl of warm water, add two generous splashes of apple cider vinegar. Wash your fruit as normal, and you’ll see the difference!

Make Deodorizing Fabric Spray

The tangy odor of apple cider vinegar might disqualify it, in your mind, from use as a deodorizer, but don’t be fooled.

That aroma will dissipate quickly, and ACV rapidly kills bacteria and other microorganisms that tend to cause bad odors in the first place. In any case, it can loosen smelly grime in fabrics and other materials. This is particularly useful if you have pets that like to sit on the couch.

Simply mix ACV and water in a one-to-one ratio and then spray or blot on. As ever, test for colorfastness in a discreet spot before you commit.

In a Soothing Foot Soak

It might sound strange, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Apple cider vinegar is a superb foot soak that can relieve soreness, soothe broken skin, and even eliminate fungus and other ailments.

There are lots of recipes out there, but a good all-purpose one I like is equal parts Epsom salt, sea salt, and vinegar mixed in a foot bath or small bucket full of warm water.

Add a dash of your favorite dried herbs if you don’t like the smell while you are relaxing.

As Part of a Relaxing Bath

Speaking of relaxing, apple cider vinegar works just as well for whole-body relief when soaking in a bathtub. Just add several cups of the above mixture—I like to use between four and six—to a full bath, and then stir before you climb in.

Beat Hair Tangles

It’s hard to believe that something so acidic could help you deal with annoying hair tangles, but it’s true. Equal parts water and ACV, massaged into the affected hair, will easily loosen it.

Brush or pull out by hand, then rinse with fresh water. There’s nothing to it, and it’s good for your hair.

Make Your Hair Silky and Shiny

Used regularly, the above solution of ACV and water (one to one, remember) can help eliminate greasy buildup and keep your hair soft, silky, and shiny.

Treat it like a conditioner, massaging it into your hair thoroughly and then leaving it in for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Rinse out as normal.

Note that if you have sensitive skin, you can dilute the formula and still get good benefits.

Reduce the Appearance of Dandruff

Dandruff is always annoying and unsightly, but at least some types of dandruff are caused by a persistent fungal infection. Many fungi are vulnerable to acids, so apple cider vinegar can help knock out this nastiness and keep your scalp clear and clothes clean.

Once again, use a one-to-one ratio of apple cider vinegar and water, making sure to thoroughly wet the scalp before rinsing after 15 minutes.

Use this approach several times a week until the dandruff clears.

Clean and Freshen Dentures and Retainers Safely

If anyone in your family relies on dentures or dental retainers, you already know how critical it is to keep them scrupulously clean to prevent awful odors from building up.

ACV is just the ticket: mix it in equal parts warm water to make a natural but effective dental appliance soak. It can be used for as little as an hour or overnight at your preference. Just be sure to rinse with clear water before you use them again!

Make All-Natural Mouthwash

The germ-fighting power of ACV lends itself to use as an all-natural mouthwash as long as it is properly diluted. Mix one tablespoon into a cup of water, stir, then swish and gargle.

Use as needed, but do take care if you have thin enamel or any open cavities, as the acidity can cause problems or pain.

Treat a Nasty Pimple

Mix two parts of water with one part ACV and then blot the solution onto the targeted pimple with a q-tip, pad, or other swab. Gently work the solution in, and repeat twice a day until the pimples are gone.

Note: you should never use undiluted ACV for this because it can cause burns.

Eliminate Warts

Here’s another old-timer’s trick that really works. Nothing is more unsightly and annoying than a stubborn wart. Eliminate the nasty little thing without a trip to the dermatologist or spending a bundle on those stupid little cryogenic things that never work.

Carefully dabbing pure ACV on the wart will start to degrade it and eventually eliminate it. Once the wart starts to blacken, you’ll know it’s working. Be warned: this one can hurt a little bit.

Deodorize Your Pits!

It sounds hilarious—who would want their armpits to smell like apple cider vinegar!?—but I promise it works.

Washing your armpits with equal parts apple cider vinegar and water before drying thoroughly will snuff out the nasty, oniony bacteria that live there. This should help you stay fresh for most of the day without reaching for the deodorant.

Make Safe, Effective General-Purpose Cleaner

One of the most popular and, frankly, one of the best uses for this stuff. With the right mixture, you can eliminate an entire cabinet of other cleaners.

Here’s a good one: simply combine two parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. Spray or wipe on, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe off.

Snuff Out Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew, being different varieties of fungus, are no match whatsoever for apple cider vinegar.

On tile, grout, and other sturdy surfaces, simply spray undiluted vinegar on, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then hit it with a sponge or rag before rinsing. You’ll take care of it in no time.

Clear a Drain Clog

We can exploit another fun chemical reaction using ACV and baking soda to deal with tough clogs or slow-flowing drains. To start, wait for the water level to recede as much as possible. Then pour around a half cup of baking soda into the drain.

Immediately follow this with one whole cup of vinegar. Get ready, ’cause it’s going to get fizzy! Let that process work for a couple of minutes, then follow with hot water. Repeat until the clog is history.

Eliminate Mineral Buildup

The acidity of apple cider vinegar allows it to dissolve away mineral buildup on lots of different surfaces. This quirk of chemistry makes it a great choice for unclogging shower heads, faucets, and a lot more.

Remove the affected component, pour the undiluted vinegar in an appropriately sized container, and soak for a few hours before scrubbing as needed and then rinsing. That should be all it takes.

As Facial Toner

Apple cider vinegar also enjoys a good reputation as a skin toner that can remove oil, dead cells, and help firm up wrinkles. Just make sure you don’t mix it too strong, or it can cause irritation!

A good baseline formula is two cups of water to one cup of vinegar. Gently wipe on, let it sit for a minute or two, and then rinse your face thoroughly.

Kill Weeds Deader than Dead

Weeds like dandelions are infamous for surviving everything you throw at them. Kill the weeds and cut back on harmful chemicals around the homestead by using pure apple cider vinegar.

Simply pour it into a spray bottle, spray down the weeds, and repeat several times a week until they are toast.

Soothe a Sore Throat

When I was young, every grandma in the US somehow knew about this recipe. I’m here to tell you that it works if you’ve got a sore throat! Simply mix 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and honey, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons ACV into 1 ½ cups hot water.

Sip the beverage, gargle it gently, and swallow. That’s all it takes. You can drink this two or three times a day as needed.

Give Dishes a Streak-Free Rinse

My great-grandma always used apple cider vinegar in her rinse water when doing the dishes. It helped them get extra clean and also dry with a nice streak-free finish.

A generous splash in clean water is all you need to do the same for your dishes. Some folks swear by adding a little bit to their dishwasher for the same purpose, too.

Keep Clothes Soft and Fresh

Ditch the chemical fabric softener that leaves a layer of plasticky residue on your clothes. Add apple cider vinegar to the same receptacle on your washing machine and prepare to enjoy the softest, freshest clothes ever.

Stop Scratchy Cats in Their Tracks

Cats are great, but our feline friends have a nasty tendency toward scratching the heck out of our furniture and other fixtures.

You might be able to put a stop to it by spraying apple cider vinegar in equal parts water on or near the affected surfaces. Most cats hate the stuff and will steer clear.

Give Your Chickens a Boost

Another surprising but proven benefit of ACV is for your chickens. Adding a tablespoon to a gallon of their drinking water will boost beneficial antioxidant levels, significantly decrease cellular stress, and also promote beneficial gut flora. Keep them happy and healthy, and they will keep laying eggs!

To Trap Fruit Flies

This is one of my favorite uses for ACV. Fruit flies and mosquitoes find the stuff irresistible, and you can make a deadly drowning trap for them by pouring straight vinegar into a shallow dish, adding a couple of drops of dish soap before stirring, and then leaving it out.

Once flies touch the surface, they won’t be able to get out and will drown.

Drive Off Fleas

It turns out that the acidity of ACV makes it a surprisingly effective natural insect repellent. We can use this trick to help keep our animals and fabrics flea-free. Equal parts apple cider vinegar and water will do the trick.

Spray generously onto any fabrics that you suspect are harboring the little bloodsuckers, and you can mist your animals before working it into their fur gently by hand for the same effect.

Treat Bug Bites and Stings

The notable anti-inflammatory properties of ACV mean it is a wonderful, holistic remedy for dealing with the pain, itching, and irritation of various bug bites and stings.

All you need is a cotton ball or cotton applicator pad. Dilute a shot of ACV with a little bit of water, soak the applicator in it, and then gently dab on. It should help with the pain and itching shortly.

Get Rid of Urine Odor

ACV is one of the few things effective against pet urine odors. That’s because the acidity of the ACV can neutralize the odor-causing compounds in the urine.

Once again, we need equal parts water and vinegar. Spray or soak the stain generously, making sure to test for colorfastness first, then soak it up, rinse or extract it with a carpet cleaning machine.

Spruce Up Coffee and Tea Mugs

Are your favorite mugs mired by dark, unsightly stains? No need to worry; ACV can take care of it. Mix apple cider vinegar into equal parts boiling water, enough to cover the stain in the cup. Give it half an hour, then scrub with a scouring pad. No more coffee ring!

Eliminate Sticky Messes

Use apple cider vinegar to remove sticker residue, gum, tar, and other sticky messes. Depending on the surface, use it straight or diluted with water.

Clean Grungy Brushes

This stuff is marvelously effective for cleaning brushes. What kind of brushes? All kinds of brushes! Hairbrushes, toothbrushes, paint brushes—anything goes! Combine equal parts of ACV and baking soda with water to make a solution that has the consistency of whole milk.

Dip the brush in the solution and leave for half an hour before working out any grime with your hands or a brush comb. Rinse with clear water and leave to dry.

Disinfect Gardening Tools

Used gardening tools can transmit diseases from one plant to another, potentially wiping out your landscaping or entire garden. Soak your snippers, pruners, and other tools in pure ACV for half an hour; that’s enough to kill most contagious microorganisms.

Deodorize Stinky Shoes

Let’s face it, some people have to deal with stinky shoes, and that can be one of the most persistent problems to deal with at home. To help cut the odor and spare your family, mix two parts of apple cider vinegar to one part of water and then spray the interior of the shoes. Leave it to dry and repeat as needed.

Loosen Rust

ACV reacts with rust chemically, loosening it and breaking it down. Soaking your tools or other rusty surfaces with ACV for several hours to half a day immediately prior to scraping, brushing, and scrubbing will make the job a lot quicker and easier. Don’t forget to lubricate or protect when you are done!