10 Nifty Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

Thank your hardworking feet with a DIY spa treatment. Apple cider vinegar is both an antibacterial and an anti-fungal, which makes it an excellent natural candidate for a foot soak! Method: Soak feet in a solution of 2 cups apple cider vinegar to 4 cups warm water nightly and moisturize regularly afterwards. After a week of continued use, your feet will smell fresh and feel soft.

If you're being followed by a sour smell, chances are the problem is right beneath your feet. Freshen up those stinky sneakers with apple cider vinegar! The acetic acid found in the fermented enzymes of apple cider vinegar are anti-bacterial which means they disinfect bacteria found in smelly, old shoes. Method: Wipe the interior and exterior of shoes with a cloth dipped in a solution of 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water and a 1 tsp of baking powder. Allow your shoes several hours to dry before use.

Hair that is dull, brittle and frizzy is usually more alkaline; meaning it's higher on the pH scale. Apple cider vinegar is acidic, and it helps balance your hair's pH levels. It's also anti-microbial which means it will neutralize bacteria and fungus that may be hiding in your hair after a long day. Method: After shampooing and conditioning your hair, massage a diluted mixture of apple cider vinegar and water (1:2 ratio) into your scalp. Rinse and repeat for 1-2 weeks or until you see satisfactory results.

They say pet parents and their beloved dogs begin to look alike. The same could be said for their yellowing or off-white teeth! While results aren't immediate, using a paste made from apple cider vinegar and baking soda will whiten teeth over period of 1-2 weeks. Method: Brush teeth with a paste made of apple cider vinegar and baking soda (2:1 ratio) before continuing on to your nightly tooth-cleaning regimen of toothpaste, flossing and rinsing. For dogs: Give your best friend a teeth-friendly chew after brushing his or her teeth with the apple cider vinegar paste.

Whether you're restoring a set of vintage tools or you left a socket set in the yard over the winter, apple cider vinegar is the handyman's secret for removing stubborn and pervasive rust. Method: Submerge tool in an acidic solution of salt and apple cider vinegar (1 tsp per cup) and let soak for at least 48 hours before scrubbing away rust with an abrasive pad. Neutralize the acids afterwards by dipping tools into a solution of baking soda and water (1 tsp per cup).

It's a bug's world and nobody knows this more than gardeners who are plagued with hungry insects every season. A solution of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar is a chemical-free, natural deterrent that many organic gardeners use to keep pests away. The acetic enzymes in apple cider vinegar that repel ants, lady bugs and other small insects are harmless to both humans and plants. Method: Simply spray a solution of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar around the perimeter of your garden and in between your plants as many as several times a day for the duration of the growing season.

Apple cider vinegar can help manage the harmless growths that commonly pop up near eyelids, on the neck and on other soft parts of our skin. The acetic acids in apple cider vinegar have been shown to be effective in breaking down the wart-like tissue of skin tags through repeated applications. Method: Simply apply apple cider vinegar to the skin tag and then cover with a bandage. Repeat this process several times a day for several days, and your skin tag may reduce in size gradually.

Apple cider vinegar is an astringent that can cleanse, tone and tighten skin. Combined with its antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar is an all-natural option to lessen the severity of acne, age spots and cellulite, especially for people with sensitive skin. Method: Evenly apply a solution of apple cider vinegar and purified water (1:2 ratio) to your skin, as part of your everyday beauty routine. Allow your regimen a few months to begin revealing results.