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A few years ago, our oldest apple tree gave us a huge crop of apples. We had far more than we could eat, so we turned a good portion of them into cider.
A year later, my husband came across a large barrel of cider that I had completely forgotten to bottle. I was sure I had ruined the whole batch. Instead, I found that the cider had continued fermenting and had turned into a generous supply of apple cider vinegar (ACV).
That happy accident left me with gallons of vinegar to use, so I started looking into everything I could do with it. ACV has acidic and antimicrobial properties that make it useful for certain cleaning, food preparation, and household jobs. It also has a long history as a home remedy and kitchen staple.
I certainly never planned on making that much apple cider vinegar, but now that I have it, I’ve found plenty of ways to put it to use.
Here are 16 ways you can use apple cider vinegar around the house.
1. Preserving Food
The acidity in ACV can slow the growth of some bacteria, which is one reason vinegar is commonly used in pickling and other food-preservation methods. It also gives homemade pickles a mild, fruity flavor that I really enjoy.
If you’re using vinegar for canning or preserving, stick with a tested recipe and the type and acidity of vinegar it calls for. Homemade vinegar can vary in acidity, so it isn’t always a safe substitute for commercially produced vinegar in canning recipes.
2. Cleaning Surfaces
ACV can help cut through dirt, grease, and some household buildup, making it useful for everyday cleaning. Research has also found that vinegar has antimicrobial properties. You can read more about cleaning with vinegar.
For basic cleaning, I like mixing equal parts ACV and water in a spray bottle. It works well for surfaces such as tables and some countertops. Vinegar can also help with soap residue around sinks, tubs, and showers.
Skip vinegar on marble, granite, limestone, and other natural stone surfaces, since the acid can damage them.
3. Cleaning Garden Tools
Garden shears and pruning tools can pick up plant material and microorganisms as you work. Cleaning your tools between plants is a good habit, especially when you’re dealing with diseased growth.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties. One study looked at how exposure to acetic acid affected different bacteria. You can read the research here.
For plant disease prevention, use a disinfectant method recommended by a gardening or agricultural extension service rather than relying on vinegar alone.
4. Repelling Insects
The strong smell of vinegar can be unpleasant to some insects, although it shouldn’t be treated as a universal insect repellent.
For a simple household spray, mix equal parts ACV and water and use it around areas where you’ve noticed insects. Be careful with fabrics, painted surfaces, and plants, since vinegar can cause damage or discoloration.
For fruit flies, ACV is much more useful as a trap than as a general repellent.
Related: Homemade Fruit Fly Trap with Apple Cider Vinegar
5. Adding It to a Bath
Some people add vinegar to bathwater as part of a relaxing soak after physical work. A cup added to a full tub is a common home remedy.
There isn’t strong evidence that an ACV bath reduces inflammation or treats sore muscles, so I think of this more as a simple, inexpensive bath addition than a treatment. If your skin is sensitive, skip it or rinse off afterward.
6. Getting Rid of Unpleasant Odors
Vinegar has a strong smell of its own, but it can help with some lingering odors.
Try placing a small bowl of undiluted ACV in an area with an unpleasant smell for a short period. It can be useful around kitchens, laundry areas, and other places where odors tend to hang around.
For garbage disposals, cleaning the source of the odor is still the best solution. Vinegar can be part of that cleaning routine, but it won’t fix a mechanical or plumbing problem.
7. Using It Around Livestock
Some homesteaders add small amounts of ACV to their animals’ water, but this is one area where I would be cautious.
There isn’t enough evidence to recommend vinegar as a routine treatment for livestock or poultry, and animals have different dietary needs. Adding vinegar to drinking water can also change its taste and may cause animals to drink less.
If your chickens or livestock are sick, talk to a veterinarian rather than relying on ACV. Clean, fresh drinking water should always be available.
8. Cleaning a Clogged Showerhead
Hard-water deposits can slowly block the openings in a showerhead. Vinegar can help loosen mineral buildup because of its acidity.
Remove the showerhead and place it in a container of undiluted ACV for a few hours. After soaking, scrub away the loosened deposits, rinse the showerhead well, and put it back in place.
Related: How to Deep Clean a Shower Head with Vinegar
9. Washing Fruits and Vegetables
It’s tempting to use vinegar as a produce wash, but plain running water is generally the better choice for routine cleaning. Vinegar hasn’t been shown to remove pesticides or harmful bacteria from produce better than washing with water.
If you do use an ACV solution for a particular food-cleaning purpose, rinse the produce thoroughly afterward. Don’t rely on vinegar as a substitute for proper food-handling practices.
10. Using ACV in the Laundry
Vinegar is sometimes used in the rinse cycle to help remove detergent residue and leave fabrics feeling less stiff. If you want to try ACV, use a small amount in the fabric-softener compartment rather than pouring it directly onto clothing.
Keep vinegar away from chlorine bleach. Mixing the two can release dangerous chlorine gas.
Related: Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
11. Making a Simple Hair Rinse
Some people use diluted ACV as a hair rinse because the acidity can help remove product residue and leave hair feeling smoother.
If you want to try it, start with a very diluted mixture, such as one part ACV to four parts water. Apply it to the hair rather than directly to the eyes or irritated skin, then rinse well.
ACV isn’t a treatment for dandruff or scalp conditions, so persistent itching or flaking is better discussed with a healthcare professional.
Related: Homemade Hair Conditioner Bar
12. Soothing Minor Bug Bites
Vinegar is a traditional home remedy for minor insect bites, but it can also irritate already irritated skin. If you want to try it, dilute the ACV with water and test a small area first.
Don’t put vinegar on broken skin, and don’t use it as a substitute for medical care if a bite or sting causes severe swelling, trouble breathing, or another serious reaction.
13. Freshening Smelly Shoes
Shoes can develop an unpleasant smell after a long day, especially during hot weather.
Mix equal parts ACV and water and lightly spray the inside of the shoes. Don’t soak them. Let the shoes dry completely in a well-ventilated area before wearing them again.
Test the mixture on a small hidden area first, since vinegar can discolor certain materials.
14. Cleaning Drains
You’ve probably seen the classic baking soda and vinegar drain trick. Pouring baking soda into a drain followed by ACV creates a satisfying fizz, but that reaction doesn’t mean it will clear a serious clog.
For a drain with mild residue or odors, the combination can help loosen some buildup. For an actual blockage, hot water, a plunger, or a drain snake is usually more useful.
Related: 7 Quick and Easy Ways to Unclog a Garbage Disposal
15. Cleaning Mold and Mildew
Vinegar has antifungal properties and may help with some types of surface mold. For small areas on suitable hard, nonporous surfaces, undiluted vinegar can be applied and allowed to sit before wiping.
Don’t use vinegar on materials that can be damaged by acid, and don’t rely on it to solve a serious mold problem. Fixing the moisture source is the bigger issue.
For shower mold and mildew, these additional cleaning methods may help: 6 Effective Ways to Clean Mold from Shower Caulk and Grout
16. Treating Some Fabric Stains
ACV can sometimes help with odors or certain stains, but it’s worth remembering that apple cider vinegar has a light amber color. That makes it a poor choice for white or very pale clothing.
For washable colored fabrics, you can test a diluted mixture of one part ACV to two parts water on an inconspicuous area first. Let it sit briefly, rinse, and then wash the garment according to its care label.
For white clothing, plain white vinegar is a better option if vinegar is appropriate for the stain.
Apple cider vinegar started out as an accidental byproduct of an overlooked barrel of cider in my home, but it turned out to be surprisingly useful. I still keep a bottle around for cooking, cleaning, and a handful of household jobs. Just remember that vinegar isn’t suitable for every surface or task, so a little caution goes a long way.
