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Vinegar is a highly prized ingredient, with ancient origins and a long history of use in cooking: it is a fermented acidic liquid, obtained from the action of various species of Acetobacter and Gluconobacter, which convert the ethanol present in fruit, wine, rice, beer, or honey into acetic acid. Each vinegar has its own uses, but in general, they are all versatile products that can be used as a condiment, to marinate meat and fish, and to add a sweet and sour touch to various dishes.
But did you know that, beyond its culinary uses, vinegar is a precious ally in everyday life? Apple cider vinegar in particular —more delicate than the more common wine vinegar—is a truly "magical" product, rich in properties that make it useful even outside the culinary realm, for example for hair care, or for removing limescale, or even for eliminating unpleasant odors. In short, it's best to always have a bottle of apple cider vinegar on hand: here are all the uses you can make of it.
1. Fight Mold
Having mold problems? Apple cider vinegar can solve them cheaply, quickly, and very effectively: thanks to its properties, it can combat and eliminate mold stains, especially on smooth surfaces and plastic. Simply dilute a cup of apple cider vinegar and two cups of water in a spray bottle and spray it on the stain, wait a couple of minutes, and rub with a cloth. Of course, we're talking about small stains and not a serious problem, so we recommend calling a professional.
2. Remove Limescale
One of the most well-known alternative uses for apple cider vinegar is to remove limescale: a small amount is enough to remove it and polish faucets and other household surfaces. Apple cider vinegar, like white vinegar, contains acetic acid, which dissolves limescale deposits (calcium carbonate). Limescale is a basic substance, while vinegar is acidic: contact between the two triggers a chemical reaction that dissolves the deposits.
To use it this way, dilute it in equal parts with water and spray it on faucets, tiles, and fixtures, as well as the surface of your iron: in just a few minutes, they'll shine. If you need to remove limescale from your shower head, you can leave it in a container filled with water and apple cider vinegar for an hour.
3. Clean The Moka Pot
It's well known that a moka pot should never be washed with soap and water because it would ruin it, but you might not know that vinegar is an excellent way to clean the inside of the appliance without compromising its functionality. Fill the moka pot's reservoir with half hot water and half vinegar, then let the solution soak for half an hour. Then rinse the reservoir thoroughly and brew coffee as usual. If you detect a vinegar taste, run the moka pot through a couple of empty brews with just water to completely remove any residue. Caution: frequent use of vinegar can corrode the rubber seals, so use sparingly.
4. Eliminate Bad Odors
Apple cider vinegar absorbs and eliminates unpleasant odors: If you're thinking of cleaning your refrigerator and eliminating any unpleasant odors that may be lurking inside, fill a glass with vinegar and leave it in for a few hours; you'll see every trace of the smell disappear. Not only that, apple cider vinegar is also excellent for eliminating smoke odors or the strong fried smell that lingers in the air after frying. Boil a pot of water and any type of vinegar next to the one you're frying in and let the steam absorb all the odor.
5. Wash (But Don't Disinfect!) Fruit and Vegetables
Some fruits and vegetables are truly difficult to thoroughly clean, and vinegar is incredibly useful for this, just like baking soda. Be careful, though, because vinegar isn't a true disinfectant: it lowers the microbial count, but it doesn't eliminate viruses and pathogenic bacteria like a hypochlorite-based solution (food bleach). However, it's useful for removing soil and other residues, especially on peels or between the folds of leaves. To do this, prepare a container with room-temperature water and a couple of tablespoons of vinegar, then immerse the produce to be cleaned and let it soak for a few minutes. Then simply rinse it under running water and everything will be perfectly clean.
6. Clean Glass and Mirrors
Vinegar's cleaning power is excellent for cleaning windows and mirrors. Dilute the vinegar in water and use a cloth to wipe away dirt and grime from all the windows and mirrors in your home. While they're still damp, dry them with newspaper and enjoy the results: you'll be amazed at their shine!
7. Whiten Clothes and Dishcloths
If you have yellowed pillowcases or sheets and are looking for a natural and eco-friendly solution to quickly whiten them, fill a basin with hot water, add a cup of apple cider vinegar, and let them soak for about 30 minutes. After the required time, rinse them by hand or in the washing machine.
The same properties can be used to remove those annoying stains that can form on mattresses: combine water, apple cider vinegar, and a teaspoon of baking soda in a spray bottle and remove the stain. The same mixture is also excellent for refreshing and reviving carpets.
8. Clean the Cutting Boards
Apple cider vinegar is a powerful degreaser, making it an excellent product for cleaning cutting boards (items that tend to be difficult to fully disinfect), as well as scissors, plates, and cutlery that are greasy or smell bad. Again, this isn't disinfection, but rather a deep clean. Dilute equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, spray, and let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing.
9. Polish Silverware and Wood
If you want your silverware or wooden surfaces to shine like new again, skip all the chemicals: all you need is apple cider vinegar, and the results will be incredible. For silverware, you can soak it in a bowl of hot water and apple cider vinegar, while for wood, use a mixture of water, apple cider vinegar, and a tablespoon of olive oil. Shake the emulsion before using it on the surfaces, then wipe with a dry cloth.
10. Clean the Floors
The degreasing properties of apple cider vinegar make it ideal not only for furniture and kitchen surfaces, but also for routine floor cleaning: simply add a cup of vinegar to hot water; in addition to sanitizing the surface, you'll also get a pleasant scent throughout the house.
11. Degrease Drains and Pipes
Clogged drains and pipes can be a real nuisance, but having some apple cider vinegar on hand can be the perfect solution. If you just need to degrease filters and pipes, such as those in your washing machine or dishwasher, simply add a small glass of apple cider vinegar to your normal wash cycle. If you have a clogged drain or sink, prepare a mixture of boiling water, apple cider vinegar, and baking soda and pour it into the pipe. Don't be alarmed by the smoke that will likely come out; after about 30 minutes, your drain will be perfectly functional again.
12. Soften the Clothes
You might not believe it, but apple cider vinegar actually softens clothes: fill the measuring cup you usually use for the washing machine drum with apple cider vinegar and mix it with your regular detergent. It's also great if you choose to handwash, especially delicate items.
13. Remove Creases From Clothes
Here's a fun way to remove creases from your clothes without using an iron: spray your clothes with a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar and iron them by pulling the edges. Let them dry in the sun, and you'll see all the creases disappear.
14. Remove Labels From Jars
Reusing glass jars is a great way to avoid waste, but there's the annoying problem of labels: how do you remove them without breaking them? Here too, you'll need vinegar to make a half-oil, half-vinegar mixture. Soak the jars in it and leave them overnight. The next morning, just wipe them with a sponge and the label will come off effortlessly.
15. Strengthen Hair
One of the most popular home remedies for hair care is apple cider vinegar, a product that has a strengthening and cleansing effect on hair, especially when applied to oily hair, but also has the power to make hair shiny and manageable. Prepare a two-liter bottle of cold water with 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar, wash your hair as usual, and then use this bottle of water for the final rinse. The acidity of the vinegar closes the hair cuticles, so when you dry your hair, it will be more manageable and shiny.
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