10 Unexpected Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Around the House
Updated: May 30, 2019
Apple cider vinegar is for more than just your health. Find out ten other ways you can use ACV 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. Natural remedies aside, here are ten other ways to use apple cider vinegar that don’t involve drinking it at all (though here’s our go-to recipe if you do want to try it!).
1. Never use that blue window spray again
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.
2. Trap those pesky flies
If you’ve got flies in your kitchen, you’ve got a problem, but 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 trap that really works.
3. Wave bye-bye to bleach-based mold killers
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
4. Get your fine china to sparkle, safely
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 ACV to clean your slow cooker.
5. Clean your wood floors
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
Did you know you can also use grapefruit to clean your wood floors?
6. Wave sayonara to soap scum
Apple cider vinegar will also clean the soap scum off your bathtub, shower door, faucets and vanity surfaces. Just spritz and clean as normal!
7. Deodorize your drains
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 ACV. Allow it to sit for a half hour and then follow with hot water.
8. Swab the deck
You can use apple cider vinegar to make your deck sparkle, according to cleaning experts at The Maid Brigade. They recommend using straight ACV 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.
9. Tenderize your meat
You don’t have to drink apple cider vinegar to reap its wonderful meat tenderizing benefits. Don’t believe us? Just try this recipe for apple cider beef stew or this recipe for sweet and sour pork.
10. Replace white vinegar in recipes
While you’re at it, how about replacing white vinegar in all meat recipes? We got the idea from one of Taste of Home commenter, bbowner, who raved about how well it worked in this recipe for 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! May as well absorb all the benefits you can!
And there you have it! That’s ten different ways that you can repurpose this common ingredient in the kitchen and throughout your home.
Homemade Apple Cider Beef Stew
It's especially nice to use this recipe in fall, when the weather gets crisp and Nebraska's apple orchards start selling fresh apple cider. This entree's subtle sweetness is a welcome change from other savory stews. We enjoy it with biscuits and slices of apple and cheddar cheese. -Joyce Glaesemann, Lincoln, Nebraska
Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
Their light, tender texture and apple cider flavor make these small bites a big hit! My mom made them every year as soon as the weather turned cool. I carry on the tradition, and the aroma always brings back cherished memories. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Sparkling Apple Pie on the Rocks
This is the perfect fall cocktail. Apple cider mixed with a cinnamon caramel apple simple syrup and topped with bubbly—it's the best holiday drink ever! —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
Apple Cider Pulled Pork
For potlucks and tailgates, we slow-cook pork with cider, onions and spices. These tangy sliders and sweet potato fries make a winning barbecue plate. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Sweet Potato & Caramelized Onion Shells
Gorgonzola cheese and sweet potatoes add a fun and flavorful twist to classic stuffed shells. Delicious with a sprinkle of Parmesan, the pasta can be topped with leftover gravy, too. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
Apple Cider Biscuits
My family enjoys these tender, flaky biscuits warm from the oven. We have a lot of apple trees, so we're always looking for apple recipes. This is a tasty way to use some of our cider. —Harriet Stichter, Milford, Indiana
Apple-Sage Roasted Turkey
A hint of apple flavor gives a slightly sweet spin to a holiday dinner’s main event. The lovely aroma wafting from your kitchen as this turkey cooks will have everybody talking. —Suzy Horvath, Milwaukie, Oregon
Spiced Apple Cider Jelly Shots
These spiced, spiked gelatin squares are sure to get the party started at fall get-togethers. If you’re going for the more traditional shot-style look, pour the mixture into 2-ounce plastic cups and refrigerate until set. — Rachel Seis, Senior Editor, Taste of Home
Cinnamon-Pear Rustic Tart
I was lucky enough to spend the holidays with my husband's family in Montana. I loved the rustic simplicity of each dish we tasted, especially this rustic pear tart my mother-in-law made. —Leah Waldo, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Cider Cheese Fondue
Cheese lovers are sure to enjoy dipping into this creamy quick-to-fix fondue cheese dip that has just a hint of apple. You can also serve this appetizer with pear wedges. —Kim Marie Van Rheenen, Mendota, Illinois
Apple Cider-Glazed Ham
When I wanted to try something new with our holiday ham, I created this cider glaze. It's slightly sweet but still has the spicy flavor my family craves. —Rebecca LaWare, Hilton, New York
Autumn Sweet Rolls with Cider Glaze
I love cooking with pumpkin because it’s versatile, colorful and nutritious. Combining it with chopped apple and cider gives these glazed rolls their autumn appeal. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Apple Cider Chicken 'n' Dumplings
I came up with this recipe one fall when I had an abundance of apple cider. Adding some to a down-home classic was a delectable decision. —Margaret Sumner-Wichmann, Questa, New Mexico
Caramel Apple Strudel
My father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
Individual Pork & Cranberry Potpies
My neighbor gave me this recipe years ago. I love how these pies are different from the usual chicken potpie. The flavor combination just screams fall, but freezing them allows my family to enjoy them any time of year. They are especially good for an easy dinner during the cold winter months. —Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois
Apple Cider Doughnuts
Apple donuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We’d stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh apple cider donut. —Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apple Pancakes with Cider Syrup
Tender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee
Sage Pork Chops with Cider Pan Gravy
A creamy sauce flavored with apple cider and sage makes for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner. If you like, serve these lightly seasoned chops with couscous, rice or noodles.—Erica Wilson, Beverly, Massachusetts
The Best Chicken & Dumplings
Homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It's one of those types of soup you'll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona
Caramel Apple Float
Who doesn't love the flavors of caramel, apples, and vanilla ice cream together? If I'm feeling fancy, I drizzle caramel syrup around the inside of my glass before adding the apple cider and ginger ale. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Green Chili Shredded Pork
Pork green chili made in the slow cooker always makes my hungry family happy. Getting creative with the leftovers is part of the fun. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Contest-Winning Caramel Apple Crisp
When my kids and I make apple crisp, we use all sorts of apples to boost the flavor and texture. Add melted caramels, and you’ve got something scrumptious. —Michelle Brooks, Clarkston, Michigan
Slow-Cooker Cider
There's no last-minute rush before the party when you slowly simmer this punch. It has all the tantalizing flavors of fall. —Alpha Wilson, Roswell, New Mexico
Sparkling Cider Pound Cake
This pound cake is incredible and completely reminds me of fall with every bite. Using sparkling apple cider in the batter and the glaze gives it a delicious and unique flavor. I love everything about it! —Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah
Autumn Apple Chicken
I'd just been apple picking and wanted to bake something new with the bounty. I decided on apple chicken by throwing them in the slow cooker with some barbecue sauce. The dish fills my whole house with the most delicious smell. —Caitlyn Hauser, Brookline, New Hampshire
Apple Cider Smash
A smash is a fruity and chilled cocktail—very refreshing. It's a great use for those apples you bought from the orchard plus some sparking cider. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York
Zippy Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup
The combination of butternut squash and apples in this soup reminds me of autumn, which is my favorite season. The spicy chipotle peppers add some zip. Leave them out if you prefer less heat. —Andrea Gilkenson, Wausau, Wisconsin
Butternut Squash Butter
Looking for a tasty way to use up those pumpkins and have a wonderful gift during the holidays? My pumpkin butter is delicious on biscuits or homemade bread, and also makes a tempting filling for miniature tart shells. —Wanda Richardson, Somers, Montana
Farmhouse Pork and Apple Pie
I've always loved pork and apples together, and this recipe combines them nicely to create a comforting main dish. It calls for a bit of preparation, but my family and I agree the wonderful flavor is well worth the effort. —Suzanne Strocsher, Bothell, Washington
Spiced Hot Apple Cider
During cool-weather season, my husband and I take this soul-warming drink outside by the fire pit. Our house smells amazing while the cider is simmering! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
Cider-Glazed Pork Chops with Carrots
Treat the family to a new pork chop dinner that will please them so much, they’ll think you took culinary classes. They’ll never guess this simple main dish cost about $2 a serving! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Thyme-Baked Apple Slices
My children love this healthy apple side dish along with chicken fingers for lunch. It's also a wonderful alternative to potatoes when serving meat. My family even asks for seconds!—Constance Henry, Hibbing, Minnesota
Apple-Pecan Pork Tenderloin
This recipe was born when I needed to use up some apple cider. The dish was so good and is now a go-to for company. I like to crush the nuts with a rolling pin but chopping works fine, too —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Cider Jelly
For a tasty jam during the fall, try this cider. The candy adds a wonderful cinnamon flavor.—Donna Bensend, Dallas, Wisconsin
Warm Spiced Cider Punch
This is a nice warm-up punch. I like to serve it when there is a nip in the air. The aroma of the apple cider, orange juice and spices is wonderful as the punch simmers in the slow cooker. —Susan Smith, Forest, Virginia
Grilled Rosemary Pork Roast
When the family's coming or we're expecting guests for dinner, I often serve this flavorful grilled pork roast—and it's always a winner! Chopped apple and sweet honey complement the rosemary and garlic. —Christine Wilson Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Almond-Crusted Chops with Cider Sauce
I use finely ground almonds to give pork chops a crunchy crust. The cider sauce makes them tangy, creamy and sweet. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Sweet Potato-Cranberry Doughnuts
I grew up near Idaho, which is famous for spudnuts, a doughnut made from mashed potatoes. I reworked a recipe using sweet potatoes and cranberries to come up with this variation. I like to serve them for dessert. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Hot Cider with Orange Twists
I first tasted a steaming mug of this comforting beverage on a frigid evening. It's still a family favorite on a wintry day. —Catherine Allan, Twin Falls, Idaho
Cider-Brined Turkey
My family had been going through some rough times, and when we were finally able to get together for Thanksgiving one year, I made this turkey. It brings back such good memories of joyful family gatherings. —Nicole Keller, Waterford, Pennsylvania
Spiced Applesauce
Cardamom and mace add a bit of unusual spicy flavor to this homemade applesauce. This dish is a wonderful way to make use of autumn's apple bounty. —Janet Thomas, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
Cran-Apple Turkey Skillet
You need only one skillet to pull off this delicious meal. Talk about simple! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri
Apple Balsamic Chicken
I just love the sweet and tart flavor that balsamic vinegar gives to this dish. It's easy to prepare and after cooking in the slow cooker, the chicken thighs are tender and flavorful. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes
Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York
Hot Apple Cider
In this recipe, brown sugar and spices add extra flavor to already delicious apple cider. —Marlys Benning, Wellsburg, Iowa
Cider Doughnuts
Here on our 1,250-acre farm, we usually have a quick breakfast on the go. So I often keep a batch of these light and moist doughnuts on hand. They disappear quickly because no one can eat just one! —Suzanne Christensen, Defiance, Iowa
Fresh Apple & Pear Salad
This fun combination of ingredients comes together beautifully in one flavor-packed dish. Crunchy apples and ripe, juicy pears are fantastic tossed with crisp, cool cucumbers and a spicy dressing. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
Southwest Shredded Pork Salad
This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
Apple Orchard Pork Roast
Onions and apples meld perfectly to make a sweet and savory treatment for pork roast. Serve it with the accompanying sour cream sauce. —Vikki Lee, Gold River, CaliforniaNote: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Popular Videos
