Magic words to guarantee success

1 Soothe a sore throat stat

If a fall cold has left your throat feeling dry and scratchy, rather than reaching for medicine to treat it, get quick relief with this natural home remedy: Mix 1⁄4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 1⁄4 cup of water and gargle for 15 seconds. Repeat each hour as needed. The vinegar’s acetic acid will easily kill off the unwanted bacteria that’s causing the discomfort in your throat. Aah, that’s much better!

2 Prevent a bruise from forming

Ouch! You accidentally bumped into your desk and already have a sore spot on your thigh. To avoid a bruise, soak a bit of gauze in apple cider vinegar and use a bandage or medical tape to secure it to the area. Leave in place for 1 hour. When applied topically, ACV improves circulation to the skin’s surface and prevents blood from pooling.

3 Tenderize tough meat

Guarantee a tender and flavorful dinner roast with the help of apple cider vinegar. To do: Blend 2 cups of ACV, 1⁄2 cup of vegetable oil, 2 Tbs. of soy sauce, 1 Tbs. of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. of sea salt and 1 to 2 Tbs. of fresh chopped garlic. Marinate the meat in the liquid for 3 hours before cooking. Vinegar will break down the meat’s tough fibers for a tender, tasty meal!

4 Add shine to a dog’s coat

While cuddling with Buster, you notice his fur is looking a bit dull and lackluster. The solution: Add 1⁄4 tsp. of apple cider vinegar to his water bowl daily, gradually building up to 1 tsp. of vinegar for every 15 pounds of his body weight. (The slow increase helps him get used to the taste.) Vinegar’s potassium and B vitamins will help nourish and strengthen hair follicles, resulting in a healthy shine for his coat.

5 Wash away pesky flakes

If you find your scalp has developed a flake problem, try this: Pour equal parts apple cider vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Spritz on hair and scalp, then shampoo and rinse after 15 minutes. The vinegar’s antimicrobial properties will kill the dandruff-causing bacteria. Problem solved!

6 Effortlessly trim stubborn fat

An easy way to shed pounds: Stir 1 Tbs. of apple cider vinegar into an 8 oz. glass of water and drink before meals. Studies have shown that ACV provides a dose of malic and tartaric acids, natural compounds that work as digestive aids to whisk away excess fluids to beat bloat fast.

7 Freshen up feet in a flash

After a day of hiking in the woods, your feet are smelling a bit funky. To banish the unpleasant odors, simply soak your tootsies in a mix of 1⁄3 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1⁄2 cup of warm water for 30 minutes. Use the soak daily as desired. The acids in ACV will deodorize feet, leaving them smelling fresh in no time.

8 Quickly revive yellowing plants

No matter what potting soil you use for your houseplants, yellow spots keep popping up on their leaves. A likely culprit: high pH levels in the soil caused by hard water. To help fix the problem, simply hydrate your plants with a mixture of 2 Tbs. of apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of water. Repeat once weekly for three weeks. Apple cider vinegar’s acidity will help restore the pH level of the soil, plus nourish the plants with minerals to restore them to good, green health.

9 Get pans sparkling sans scrubbing

Your tuna casserole is always a hit, but trying to remove the cheese-crusted gunk from the dish later that night is not much fun. What can help: Fill the pan with warm sudsy water and add 2 Tbs. of apple cider vinegar. Let soak for 30 minutes before rinsing with water. Vinegar’s acids will dissolve the stuck-on food—no scrubbing required!

10 Guarantee super-soft towels

The secret to ultra-soft linens: apple cider vinegar! To do: Wash clothes as usual, adding 1⁄2 cup of the vinegar to the rinse cycle. (Add 1⁄4 cup to the bleach compartment for highefficiency washers.) Acetic acid in the vinegar will break down detergent buildup and relax clothing fibers, softening laundry—without irritating the skin like chemicalladen softeners.