8 Awesome Uses For Apple Cider Vinegar That'll Have You Reaching For A Bottle

Vinegar is like the Swiss Army Knife of home condiments. There are an endless amount of uses for this versatile product that extend far outside the realm of cooking and food preparation. There are several different kinds of vinegar but my favorite has always been apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, has been around for several years and during this time, people have found a lot of awesome uses for the stuff.
ACV is produced from apple juice that has been fermented and converted into an acidic solution. The acetic acid found in it is responsible for the long list of applications you can use ACV for. From cleaning your home, to aiding your digestive processes, there's just about nothing that ACV can't do. So check out these 8 uses for ACV that prove it's good for more than just making salad dressings!

1. Soothe a Sore Throat

ACV is full of an abundance of vitamins and the acidity in it is believed to neutralize bacteria and infection. You can either mix 1/4 cup of ACV with 1 cup of water and gargle with the solution, or put 2 tablespoons of ACV into a cup of water and drink it. Either way, it will be beneficial in your battle against the sore throat.

 

2. Heartburn Relief 

Next time you feel the pain of heartburn, forget the antacids and instead reach for some ACV. A tablespoon of ACV chased by a glass of water can work wonders on heartburn. The natural state of the stomach is acidic so while antacids may soothe your pain temporarily, in the long run, they will actually make your heartburn worse and more severe.

 

3. Soothe Leg Cramps

Muscle cramps can sometimes be attributed to dehydration and a lack of potassium. In order to soothe or prevent muscle cramps, one or two spoonfuls of ACV mixed with honey and water can help offer a quick boost of potassium and hydration.

 

4. Remove Warts

There are a lot of home remedies out there for wart removal but many of them are unproven. ACV has been a time-tested natural remedy that seems to work wonders for some people. Although the exact science behind it is unknown, it is believed that the acid breaks away layers of the wart and initiates your body's immune response to the affected area. To try this one yourself, simply soak a cotton ball in ACV, then press the cotton against the wart and hold it in place with a Band-Aid. Do this every night and within two or three weeks, the wart should be gone. As warts can get rather serious, you should see your doctor about yours before you begin any treatments.

5. Reduce Gas and Bloating

In order to prevent bloating and gas, try sipping on one tablespoon of ACV mixed in a cup of water or tea BEFORE eating. ACV contains acetic, isobutryic, lactic and propionic acid which can all support digestion by controlling unwanted bacteria and yeast. 

 

6. Unclog a Drain

You may remember mixing baking soda and vinegar to create frothing lava in your grade five science class. Well it turns out, these two ingredients are good for more than just science projects. If you dump a half cup of baking soda down a clogged drain, followed by a cup of ACV, the violent reaction will break down the buildup and clear your drain. Once the frothing stops, simply rinse away the mess with hot water. It's a safe and natural alternative to using Drano.

 

7. Cure Dandruff

Unlike salon products designed to rid yourself of dandruff, apple cider is cheap and all natural. If you have dandruff, Dr. Oz suggests mixing equal parts ACV and water and spraying it into your hair twice a week. Allow the solution to sit for 15 minutes and then rinse it away.

 

8. All-Purpose Cleanser 

ACV contains acetic acid which works well as a gentle cleanser capable of killing bacteria and removing lime buildup. Avoid using vinegar on finished wood surfaces as it could slightly dull them. You can use pure vinegar for tougher jobs like cleaning a shower, and diluted vinegar for lighter tasks like wiping a table.