I Took a Bath in Apple Cider Vinegar and My Hair and Skin Never Felt Better!

While apple cider vinegar may usually be found in the kitchen, it’s about time you leave a spare in your bathroom. The vinegar has numerous benefits: It’s a natural way to detox, fight fungus, soothe sunburns, relax sore muscles and joints, and even help you have a good hair day!

I first learned about the apple cider vinegar detox bath from my mother (who is never wrong). We were visiting Puerto Rico and I got a bad sunburn after a beach day with my cousins. My skin was so red and tingly that I was crying out in pain, so my mom filled a bath with lukewarm water and added a large bottle of apple cider vinegar. She made me sit in the bathtub for 20 minutes. I was not happy because apple cider vinegar definitely has a distinct, pretty unpleasant smell, but that night I went to bed feeling that the sting of the burn had been taken away. I woke up in the morning feeling even more like myself and was even able to return to the beach (albeit, under the shade of an umbrella). From that moment on I was hooked on the power of the vinegar!

As I grew older, my use of apple cider vinegar to cure what ails me grew with me. In my 20s I ran two marathons and several half marathons. All of that physical training took a toll on my feet and I was always looking for ways to relax and heal my body from the miles of running I did each week. Of course I turned to apple cider vinegar, which is great for relieving joint pain and eliminating any odor and fungus that comes as a result of bad shoes and the regular wear and tear our feet see daily. 

Just recently I read anarticle that touted apple cider vinegar as a great way to take care of your hair. Obviously I had to try it out. Washing your hair with apple cider vinegar cleans out all the product build and returns your hair to its shiny, beautiful bounce!

How to Prepare a Vinegar Bath

1. Fill your bathtub with water hot enough that you can stand
2. Add two cups of apple cider vinegar (I like to use Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, but any brand is fine)
3. Soak in the bathtub for 20-30 minutes, dunk yourself under water to make sure you get some of that cider goodness in your hair too!
4. Bonus: If you are looking for a totally restorative bath experience add some candles to your    bathroom, shut off the lights and pretend like you are at a spa.

Apple Cider Vinegar Haircare

1. If you don’t want to take a whole bath in apple cider vinegar but do want your hair to get the benefit, you can make a simple rinse at home and wash your hair in the sink.
2. Mix 1/2 to 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (ACV) with 8 ounces of water in a plastic squeeze bottle, spray bottle or other container.
3. For more idea on apple cider vinegar hair care you check out this site.

Due to the strong, distinct scent of ACV, I don’t recommend you wash with the product before heading out. If you find yourself in a situation where you will be going out after a vinegar bath, just make sure to shower after your bath to help rinse off the scent from your body.

In this day and age, when so many products claim to “detoxify” but are actually very toxic, natural remedies are the best way to go when caring for your body.  An apple cider vinegar bath is definitely a life hack from my mom that has never failed me! I hope it never fails you either.