10 Unexpected Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Around the House

Apple cider vinegar (also known as ACV) has been used in medicine for hundreds of years. Lately, folks have been drinking apple cider vinegar straight to enjoy its benefits. After all, there are several health benefits to apple cider vinegar. Natural remedies aside, here are ten other ways to use apple cider vinegar that don’t involve drinking it at all.

1. Meat Tenderizer

You don’t have to drink apple cider vinegar to reap its wonderful meat tenderizing benefits. Don’t believe us? Just try this apple cider beef stew recipe or this recipe for chicken and dumplings.

2. Recipe Substitute

While you’re at it, how about replacing white vinegar in your go-to meat recipes? We got the idea from one of Taste of Home commenter, bbowner, who raved about how well it worked in this Carolina-style vinegar BBQ chicken. “I used a pork loin with half apple cider vinegar and half white vinegar, brown sugar and a teaspoon chicken bullion and a teaspoon of beef bullion, it cooked for six hours and was delicious,” they write. Since the two ingredients are so similar, this is an easy swap. By the way, this is the difference between apple cider and white vinegar.

3. Window Cleaner

To clean your windows and glass surfaces without alcohol or other chemicals, mix a quarter cup ACV to one pint of water in a spray bottle and use like you’d use the blue stuff. Stock up on ACV so you don’t have to worry about relying on your old cleaner ever again. Try these other natural cleaner recipes around your home.

4. Fly Trap

If you have flies in your kitchen, here’s the Maid Brigade’s ACV-based solution: “Clean and dry any damp areas and to get any old fruit, spoiled foods or old trash out of your home. Next, set up a mixture of soap and apple cider vinegar in a small cup or jar. The flies will be attracted to the mix and will get trapped in the solution.”

Got pesky fruit flies inside? We found one homemade fruit fly trap that really works.

5. Mold Killer

For an effective mold killer that doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals, mix apple cider vinegar with a few drops of tea tree essential oil. Spray on mold, and leave it to dry. “The vinegar by itself will kill most molds, but if you dislike the scent of vinegar, the tea tree oil will cut that scent plus add even more anti-microbial strength,” according to the Maid Brigade.

Want to give it a try? Here’s more on how to clean mold with vinegar.

6. Dish Cleaner

To get your fine china to sparkle—without damaging it—mix baking soda with a few drops of dish detergent and enough ACV to make a paste. You can also use apple cider vinegar to clean your slow cooker.

7. Wood Floor Cleaner

You might already know that you can use apple cider vinegar to clean your vinyl and ceramic floor tiles (use one cup of ACV to a gallon of warm water). But did you know you can clean your wood floors with the same solution? Just be sure to wring the mop as dry as possible and dry the floor immediately with a soft cloth.

8. Bathroom Cleaner

Apple cider vinegar will also clean the soap scum off your bathtub, shower door, faucets and vanity surfaces. Just spritz and clean as normal! On the flip side, these are the things you shouldn’t clean with vinegar.

9. Sink Deodorizer

Apple cider vinegar can clean and deodorize your drains. Simply pour a quarter cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half cup of apple cider vinegar. Allow it to sit for half an hour and then follow with hot water. Those with a smelly garbage disposal should follow these easy cleaning tips.

10. Deck Cleaner

You can use apple cider vinegar to make your deck sparkle, according to cleaning experts at Maid Brigade. They recommend using straight apple cider vinegar for this purpose. Simply pour it on and let it sit for about an hour in the sunlight. Rinse with water and repeat as needed.

Next, check out these vinegar cleaning tricks you’ll definitely want to try.