Apple cider vinegar has been sitting in kitchen pantries for a very long time. Before homes had a different bottle of cleaner for every surface, vinegar was one of those basic ingredients people kept around for cooking, cleaning, gardening, and plenty of everyday chores.

Apple cider vinegar can also develop naturally when apple juice or cider ferments for long enough. What starts as leftover cider can eventually become a sharp, tangy vinegar that has plenty of uses around the house.

Some of the old tricks involving apple cider vinegar still make sense today, while others are better treated as traditional home remedies rather than proven solutions. Here are 16 ways people have used it over the years.

Preserving Food

Vinegar has been used for food preservation for centuries, and apple cider vinegar is still a common ingredient in pickling. Its acidity creates an environment that makes it harder for many unwanted microorganisms to grow.

Apple cider vinegar also brings a mild fruity flavor to pickled foods. It works particularly well with cucumbers, onions, peppers, and other garden vegetables.

For shelf stable canning, use a tested recipe from a reliable food preservation source rather than substituting vinegars at random. The acidity level matters for safe canning.

Cleaning Household Surfaces

Before shelves were filled with specialty cleaning sprays, vinegar was a common household cleaner. Its acidity can help loosen some grease, grime, and mineral deposits from hard surfaces.

A diluted mixture can work for some countertops, sinks, tables, and other washable surfaces. Since apple cider vinegar has a darker color than white vinegar, it’s smart to test it on a small hidden area first, especially on light or porous materials.

Cleaning Garden Tools

Garden tools come into contact with soil, plant sap, and moisture all season long. A vinegar solution can help remove some grime and residue from pruners, shears, and other hand tools.

If you want to try apple cider vinegar, use it mainly as a cleaning step rather than assuming it will sterilize tools. For pruning tools used between plants that may have a disease, a proper disinfectant recommended for garden tools is a better choice.

Dealing With Certain Insects

Apple cider vinegar has a strong smell that some people use around the home and garden to discourage certain pests. It’s also a familiar ingredient in homemade fruit fly traps.

For a simple fruit fly trap, people often put a little apple cider vinegar in a small container and add a drop of dish soap. The smell draws the flies toward the liquid, while the soap changes the surface tension and makes it harder for them to get back out.

Adding It to a Relaxing Bath

Apple cider vinegar has long appeared in homemade bath recipes. Some people add a small amount to warm bathwater after a long day of gardening, yard work, or other physical chores.

There isn’t strong evidence that an apple cider vinegar bath treats sore muscles, so this is better thought of as an old-fashioned bath ritual rather than a proven remedy. Anyone with sensitive skin should skip it or test a small area first, since vinegar can cause irritation.

Getting Rid of Lingering Odors

Vinegar is often used around the house to deal with unpleasant smells. Rather than adding another fragrance on top of a bad odor, the vinegar smell tends to fade as the liquid dries.

A small bowl of vinegar can be left near a smelly area for a short time, though apple cider vinegar may leave behind its own scent. For kitchens and other areas where food smells linger, good ventilation and regular cleaning still do most of the work.

Traditional Livestock Care

Some homesteaders have traditionally added small amounts of apple cider vinegar to animal drinking water. It has been promoted for reasons ranging from digestion to general animal health.

This is one old practice that deserves some caution. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all amount that is appropriate for every animal, and too much acidity can cause problems. Anyone using vinegar around livestock should check with a veterinarian or animal nutrition expert first, especially for young, sick, pregnant, or medicated animals.

Cleaning a Clogged Showerhead

Hard water can leave mineral deposits inside a showerhead over time. Vinegar can help loosen some of that buildup, which is why soaking a removable showerhead in vinegar has been a common household trick for years.

Remove the showerhead and place it in vinegar for a few hours. Rinse it thoroughly afterward and run water through the openings before putting it back in place. For finishes that may react with vinegar, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions first.

Rinsing Fresh Produce

Vinegar is sometimes used in homemade produce washes. It may help remove some surface dirt and microorganisms, but it isn’t a replacement for proper washing under clean running water.

For everyday produce, rinsing fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water is usually the simplest choice. If you do use a vinegar solution, rinse the produce afterward and avoid relying on vinegar to make contaminated food safe.

Using It in the Laundry

Some people add vinegar to the rinse cycle as an alternative to commercial fabric softener. The acidity can help rinse away some leftover detergent and mineral deposits from fabric.

White vinegar is usually a better choice for laundry because it doesn’t have the color or strong scent that apple cider vinegar can leave behind. Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach, since the combination can produce dangerous fumes.

Trying an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Apple cider vinegar rinses have been around for years, particularly among people looking for simple hair care routines. A diluted rinse may help remove some product buildup and can leave hair feeling different after washing.

If you try one, keep the vinegar heavily diluted and rinse it out afterward. Vinegar can irritate the scalp and eyes, and it isn’t a treatment for hair loss, dandruff, or other scalp conditions.

Using It on Minor Itches

Vinegar has been used as a home remedy for minor skin irritation and insect bites for generations. Some people dab a diluted solution on an itchy mosquito bite and say it gives temporary relief.

There isn’t good evidence that apple cider vinegar treats insect bites, and applying it directly to irritated or broken skin can make the area sting more. For a mild bite, a cool compress is a gentler option. Seek medical attention for serious reactions, trouble breathing, or signs of infection.

Freshening Smelly Shoes

Shoes can pick up unpleasant odors after hours of wear, particularly when they’re worn without enough time to dry out. A light mist of diluted vinegar is one old household trick for dealing with the smell.

If you try it, don’t soak the shoes. Spray a small amount inside and let them dry completely in a well ventilated area. Test the solution on an inconspicuous spot first, since vinegar can damage certain materials and finishes.

Helping With Slow Drains

The baking soda and vinegar combination has been passed around as a classic drain cleaning trick for years. The two ingredients fizz when they meet, which can help loosen some light residue near the drain opening.

It isn’t a substitute for clearing a serious clog, and the fizzing action doesn’t magically dissolve every type of blockage. For a slow drain, try removing visible debris first and use a plunger when appropriate. Never mix vinegar with commercial drain cleaners.

Cleaning Damp Bathroom Areas

Vinegar has some antifungal properties, which is one reason people have used it on bathroom surfaces where moisture collects. It can help with some light surface buildup and soap residue.

It shouldn’t be treated as a guaranteed mold killer, especially when mold has spread into porous materials. For small surface spots, clean the area safely and address the moisture problem that caused the growth in the first place. Larger or recurring mold problems may require professional help.

Helping With Some Fabric Stains

Vinegar has been used as a laundry pre-treatment for certain stains, although it won’t work on every type of mark. A diluted solution may help with some odors or light residue before washing.

Always check the garment’s care label and test the solution on an unseen area first. Avoid using vinegar on fabrics that can be damaged by acids, and don’t combine it with bleach or other strong cleaning products.