How to Take an Apple Cider Vinegar Bath {+ 7 Benefits}

If you’ve started a journey to healthier living, you have likely heard of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar.  But did you know there are benefits of apple cider vinegar baths?  Keep reading to learn how to make an apple cider vinegar bath and what the benefits are!

How to take an Apple Cider Vinegar Bath

1. Fill up your bath with warm water.
2. Add in 1 – 2 cups of apple cider vinegar (ACV).
3. Stay in the bath, soaking up the goodness of ACV for 20 – 30 minutes.
4. Get your hair wet (optional) and rinse your face with a washcloth.
5. Empty the tub and follow with a shower to rinse off any excess vinegar.

What Type of Apple Cider Vinegar

You should be able to find apple cider vinegar at your local market for less than $3 a bottle.  I prefer Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, especially since I use ACV in cooking. Bragg’s ACV is made with apples that are 100% organic and US grown.

What are the Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Bath?

Now that you know how to taken an apple cider vinegar bath, and what type of vinegar to use, here are 7 benefits of apple cider vinegar baths!

• Helps with Body Odor
• Reduces Oily Hair and Dandruff
• Fights Fungus and Yeast Infections
• Soothes Sunburns
• Helps Balance your Skin’s pH Levels
• Fight’s Athlete’s Foot  and Foot Odor
• Reduces Skin Inflammation

Helps with Body Odor

Sweat itself doesn’t smell, but it does produce bacteria which breaks sweat into acids that cause unpleasant body odor.

Soaking in a apple cider vinegar bath can change the pH level of the skin, making it difficult for bacteria to thrive.  In fact – some people even use ACV as as substitute for deodorant (read more here)!

Reduces Oily Hair and Dandruff

ACV can do wonders for your hair.  By soaking your locks in your apple cider vinegar bath, the acidity in the ACV can remove residue from hair products, while reducing excess oil.

Apple cider vinegar is also known for removing dandruff.  It is thought that the acidity of the vinegar helps eliminates dandruff-causing fungus (source).

Fights Fungus and Yeast Infections

Apple cider vinegar baths may help you fight fungus and yeast infections on the skin.  This study demonstrated ACV’s antifungal properties against candida (yeast).  It may also help with other types of fungus and bacteria that can’t be eliminated with soap and water.

Soothes Sunburns

You can soothe sunburned skin by soaking in an apple cider vinegar bath.  The ACV helps take out the burn and may even help your burn heal faster.

Helps Balance your Skin’s pH Levels

Over washing your face, soaps, lotions, sun exposure, and even diet can throw your skin’s pH level out of balance.  You can help bring your skin’s pH level back in balance, while eliminating unwanted bacteria, with an apple cider vinegar bath. To learn more about the pH levels in your skin, this is a great resource.

Fights Athlete’s Foot and Foot Odor

The acidity in an apple cider vinegar bath can kill the fungus associated with athlete’s foot.  It can also kill other types of bacteria that cause unpleasant foot odors. For extreme cases of foot odor or athlete’s foot, you can mix ACV with Himalayan crystal salt.

Reduce Skin Inflammation

Just like ACV can help sooth sunburned skin, it can also help reduce skin inflammation, reduce redness, and provide some much needed relief.

Other Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV has more beneficial uses for our skin! Check out these recipes:

• Homemade Sea Salt Scrub
• DIY Hair Detangler (<– great for kids!)
• Homemade Facial Toner with Rosemary