by Amelia Tibbett

Created on: December 21, 2007

On the advice of a good friend who I lovingly refer to as a "Granola Girl" due to her down to earth qualities and love of everything natural, I did some research on the benefits of apple cider vinegar about two years ago, and have been an avid user ever since. I guess it all started when she noticed that I was always on this antibiotic or that for chronic sinus infections. She told me to try using a vaporizer with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup of water in it at bed time until I cleared up. Ever the skeptic, she finally convinced me that I had nothing to loose and I tell you, within two nights, I was cleared up, but continued to do the treatment for a few more days for good measure.

I was still a little leery, but this prompted me to do some of my own research and let me just tell you, apple cider vinegar is probably the worlds best kept secret. Not only can it be used medicinally, but it can be used for cleaning, cooking, for crafts and for gardening. Here are some of the things that you can do, and if you don't have apple cider vinegar in your house, you need to go stock up.

For the household:

Washing woodwork:
To wash painted walls, woodwork, or blinds, use a mixture of 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 gallon of water. Use a sponge or cloth to wipe the solution over walls, woodwork or blinds, and rinse with clean water- watch the dirt disappear- will not streak or take off paint.

Garbage Disposal:
Keep your disposal clean with apple cider vinegar cubes. Freeze a mixture of 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and enough water to fill an ice tray. Once frozen, drop the cubes down your disposal, and run the mixture through by turning on the disposal. Let the cold water run for about a minute after.

Remove Foul Refrigerator Smells
Place 1 cup apple cider vinegar in a glass and set in refrigerator. Within 2 days, any smell is gone!

For the lawn and garden:

Increase soil acidity:
If you live in an area with hard water, you can save your favorite acid loving plants such as rhododendrons, gardenias or azaleas by adding a cup of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of tap water for watering. The apple cider vinegar will release iron in the soil for the plants to use.

Plant Nutrients
Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water and sugar and water in separate containers. Combine the vinegar and sugar mixtures. Add to your plants for as long as needed.

This next tip actually won a contest- the 2007 Vinegar On-line Use Contest-And

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