Do you have a bottle of apple cider vinegar sitting in your pantry? It’s got the potential to do so much more than just taking up space — this kitchen staple can handle everything from sticky messes to stubborn odors and costs way less than specialty products. Here’s how to put it to work in ways you might not have thought about before.
What’s that stuff at the bottom?
Look at your bottle of apple cider vinegar and you’ll spot something weird — a cloudy blob floating around. Don’t worry, that’s supposed to be there. It’s called the mother, and it’s full of good bacteria and enzymes. When you’re shopping, grab the unfiltered kind with the mother. It’s cloudier than the clear variety, but that cloudiness means it’s packed with all the good stuff that makes this vinegar so useful around the house.
Kitchen uses anyone can try
Are you tired of buying specialty ingredients for your cooking? When cooking with vinegar, one of the most versatile types is apple cider vinegar.
Pour a quarter cup over chicken before grilling to make the meat tender and add flavor without a fancy marinade. Add a tablespoon to your pancake batter to make them extra light and fluffy — no, you won’t taste it in the finished pancakes.
Want a quick drink? Muddle 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar with a spoonful of honey and fresh mint leaves, then top off with sparkling water. It’s a nice break from soda and takes about 30 seconds to make. Add a splash to smoothies or stir a spoonful into hot tea with lemon.
Clean your whole house with one bottle
Store-bought cleaners can be expensive, and most contain the same ingredients in different packages. Here’s a money-saving trick: Fill a spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. Use it on bathroom mirrors for a streak-free shine, wipe down kitchen counters after cooking or add a cup to your wash cycle for brighter clothes. Once the vinegar dries, the smell and grime disappear.
If your kitchen smells of fish, put a cup of vinegar and water in a pot and simmer for 10 minutes. This method is better than candles or air fresheners for eliminating cooking smells. It works great after cooking an easy one-pan salmon dinner, frying your favorite appetizers or accidentally burning something in the oven.
Better beauty routine from your pantry
Those fancy hair and skin products might look nice, but they’re often full of stuff you don’t need — and they empty your wallet fast. While vinegar is an easy-to-find ingredient for making homemade personal care items, it can also be diluted and used directly on your hair and skin.
For shiny hair without buildup, mix 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water. Pour the mixture over your hair after shampooing, wait 2-3 minutes and rinse it out. Do this once a week to remove product buildup and bring back shine. Your scalp will feel cleaner, too.
For your face, weaken it — 1 part vinegar to 8 parts water makes a good toner. Dab it on with cotton after washing. Try a small spot first to ensure your skin likes it, and never put it on straight. Use it at night after washing your face and before your regular moisturizer.
Garden and pet helper
Apple cider vinegar also benefits your outdoor space and furry babies. Make your garden happier with a quick vinegar mix. Put 2-3 tablespoons in a gallon of water for plants that prefer acidic soil, like azaleas and hydrangeas. Spray it around the base of plants once a month during the growing season.
Are ants taking over your patio? Spray diluted vinegar where they come in — they hate the smell and will find somewhere else to march. If you have pets, vinegar can help clean their ears and fur, but make it really weak with 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water. Use soft cotton balls to clean ears or spray it lightly on fur before brushing. Check with your vet first, especially if your pet has sensitive skin.
Keep it fresh
Apple cider vinegar lasts a long time, but a few simple storage tricks will help you get the most out of every bottle. Store your vinegar in a cool, dark part of your pantry and keep the lid on tight. Sunlight isn’t its friend, but it lasts pretty much forever if you store it right. Here’s a trick: pour some into a smaller bottle for everyday use, so you’re not constantly opening the big bottle. This keeps the mother fresh in the main bottle and makes it easy to grab quickly.
Make it work for you
Like any new habit, adding apple cider vinegar to your routine is easiest when you start small and build up. Begin with one or two of these tips, then add on from there. Maybe try the all-purpose cleaner or throw a tablespoon into homemade soup to brighten it up. Keep track of what works best for you and build from there. Once you see the results, you’ll find yourself reaching for that bottle more and more.
Renee N Gardner is the creator behind Renee Nicole’s Kitchen, a recipe blog based on seasonal ingredients, dedicated to helping home cooks build their kitchen confidence to become home chefs. When Renee isn’t writing, developing recipes or photographing food, you’ll find her in the garden, traveling or enjoying the outdoors with her husband, son and two dogs.