5 ANTIBACTERIAL APPLE CIDER VINEGAR USES
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is known to make your hair shiny, help with weight loss, balance your pH, cleanse your lymphatic system, kill bacteria and so much MORE. Today, I’m going to be sharing 5 ways you can use apple cider vinegar to get rid of BACTERIA!
1. UNDERARM WASH
I’ve said it a million times before, but I’ll say it again – SWEAT + BACTERIA = BAD ODOR. Wearing deodorant alone will NOT keep smelliness at bay, you NEED to eliminate the odor causing bacteria. That’s where apple cider vinegar comes in. Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid which kills bacteria by passing through into the bacteria’s cell membranes and neutralizing it.
TIP: Use a gentle antibacterial soap formulated with apple cider vinegar, like the underarm bar each morning before deodorant application.
2. FABRIC DISINFECTANT
Does your carpet have a funky smell? Carpets are essentially giant sponges that soak up odors from cooking, pets, and moisture from humidity/spills. Trying to cover up the scent with an air freshener is like spraying perfume as a substitute for a shower – gross and ineffective! Solve the problem at the root by killing the bad bacteria with apple cider vinegar!
TIP: Make your own fabric/surface cleaner by diluting 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water. Add a few drops of lemongrass or lavender essential oil to get rid of the apple cider vinegar smell.
3. BAD BREATH CURE
More than 50% of people have bad breath, and reportedly 80 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic halitosis (bad breath). The reason? The temperature inside of your mouth can reach up to 37°C with 96% humidity – perfect for bacteria to thrive and grow. And guess what? Your mouth is home to over 500 strains of bacteria! Drinking apple cider vinegar can help fix bad breath!
TIP: Every morning, dilute 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water and drink on an empty stomach. You can add some lemon juice and maple syrup if you can’t stand the smell/taste of apple cider vinegar. This drink will not only cure bad breath but will also help with digestion!
4. FOOT ODOR TREATMENT
Foot odor is incredibly common and similar to underarm odor, it is caused by the presence of bacteria, mixed with moisture from sweat. Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot can also be the culprit. The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar will help alleviate foot odors.
TIP: Make a weekly foot soak by mixing 2 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar. Soak for up to 20 minutes once a week. If you prefer a simpler solution, my underarm bar will also work on smelly feet as a daily wash. Lather for 20-30 seconds each day and ensure your feet are completely dry before putting on socks and shoes.
5. ANTI DANDRUFF RINSE
Two causes of dandruff are an excess of the bacteria, MALASSEZIA YEAST, and a scalp pH imbalance. apple cider vinegar has both antibacterial properties to kill off yeast and a highly acidic pH which can help balance out the scalp.
TIP: Dilute 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water and rinse your hair with it in the shower. Allow the solution to sit on your scalp for a few minutes before washing out!
THE TAKEAWAY
It’s important to remember that apple cider vinegar is a very POWERFUL and POTENT ingredient, often too strong to be used alone! Always DILUTE with water!