Good news: It can get rid of bad breath.
By Amanda Hawkins, Good Housekeeping
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1. Clean your face.
For a simple two-ingredient DIY toner, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with two cups of water. Dab the solution onto your face with a cotton ball. It will work like an astringent to remove bacteria and dead skin cells, which can lead to acne-causing buildup, says Mona Gohara, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale University.
There are plenty of toners available that already incorporate the cleaning powers of apple cider vinegar. Our beauty director, April Franzino, likes the five-ingredient S.W. Basics Toner.
2. Remove buildup and prevent dandruff.
Dandruff is the buildup of dead skin cells from an overgrowth of yeast in our bodies. Because it kills bacteria, apple cider vinegar is a great DIY option for eliminating dandruff, Gohara says. In the same vein, apple cider vinegar can help remove excess product buildup and residue that might be clinging to your strands, making them heavy and unhealthy. Even better, adding it to your routine can leave your hair soft and shiny.
A few times a week, massage apple cider vinegar and water into your hair before you shampoo. If you aren't too keen on pouring vinegar onto your hair, Franzino suggests trying John Masters Herbal Cider Hair Rinse.
3. Freshen up your body.
Apple cider vinegar is a great way to naturally deodorize your feet, armpits or wherever is a little smellier than you'd like. Using a cotton pad, rub it under your arms and along your feet (or, create a soaking bath with one cup apple cider vinegar and four cups of warm water) for a natural deodorant. "Bacteria makes you produce bad odors," explains Gohara, "and apple cider vinegar kills off that bacteria."
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You can also create your own deodorizer wipes: Soak paper towels overnight in a sealed bag with apple cider vinegar. When you're in a pinch, rub the wipes on your feet or armpits. Don't worry — the vinegary smell will go away once it dries.
4. Kill bad breath.
Some dentists say that rinsing your mouth with one parts apple cider vinegar and two parts water for one minute can help you maintain a healthy mouth and banish bad breath. Gohara agrees: "Because bad breath is bacteria-related, apple cider vinegar can get into the crevasses of your gums and teeth and eliminate the bad breath." (This is a natural alternative to over-the-counter mouthwashes, but make sure to speak with your dentist before starting a new cleansing regimen.)
5. Clear up toenail fungus.
It sounds nasty, but it can really work. When Gohara has a patient who is suffering from toenail fungus, she often recommends that they clean their feet with apple cider vinegar soap a few times a week. "You have to do it over a period of a year," she says. "With proper grooming of the toenail and cleaning with soap, it's a natural way to get rid of some of the fungus."
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6. Remove stubborn warts.
Warts are a virus, and rubbing them with apple cider vinegar can help make them go away, says Janet Hill Prystowsky, M.D. But she warns that you should speak with your dermatologist first before caring for a wart yourself, in case it needs a stronger treatment.
7. Make your salad healthier.
While research can't back up some apple cider vinegar weight loss claims, it is good for you, says Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Like apples, it's full of antioxidants, beta-carotene, calcium and potassium, so feel free to use it to make a homemade dressing. "If it will help you eat more salads, that's great," she says.
While some say that ingesting apple cider vinegar can help with lowering blood sugar and slowing down digestion, London says to check with your doctor first. "The info is somewhat solid, but it often gets taken out of context, especially if you're a diabetic who takes a class of medications, then it can be a little dangerous," she says.
See more at: Good Housekeeping
