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Apple Cider Vinegar Baths (and Why You Should Try One)

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Katie Wells

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Apple Cider Vinegar Baths (and Why You Should Try One)

Many types of baths are great for detox and relaxation. One of the simplest ones though is a DIY apple cider vinegar bath. They’re great for skincare and with just one ingredient, couldn’t be easier!

I’m not a fan of vinegar’s smell, but I am a huge fan of apple cider vinegar baths. They leave my skin and hair looking and feeling amazing.

Health Benefits of an ACV Bath

Apple Cider Vinegar is a versatile home remedy for healthy skin and a healthier body. You can infuse it with herbs for a natural cold remedy and health tonic, or sip on it to relieve heartburn.

Sprayed on the skin, it takes the sting out of sunburn and apple cider vinegar soaks help alleviate athlete’s foot. There are so many health benefits to using ACV, especially for skin health.

Vitamins and Minerals in Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural source of B vitamins, vitamin C, and trace minerals, making it nourishing to the skin. ACV is made from apple juice and has a similar nutritional profile, including antioxidants. Fermented ACV with the “mother” culture is even richer in beneficial compounds.

More research is showing the link between ACV and weight loss and how it can help balance blood sugar and insulin levels. You can even get apple cider vinegar supplements or make your own gummies!

It’s possible we can get some of these nutrients by soaking in them since the skin is the body’s largest organ. Our skin barrier more readily absorbs fat-soluble vitamins though and ACV has water-soluble ones. Even if it’s not increasing internal nutrient levels when used in a detox bath, it still has skin benefits!

Beneficial Acids

Vinegar is naturally acidic so it helps restore the skin’s pH balance which should be slightly acidic. The pH balance of many soaps and skincare products is alkaline and disrupts the skin microbiome. Though it helps restore the skin’s pH it has an alkalizing effect internally and many use it for better digestion and as an acid reflux remedy.

Apple cider vinegar mainly contains acetic acid, but you’ll also find malic acid, citric acid, and others. They all perform slightly different functions and which ones are present depends on the type of apple used.

Also, many people with joint problems notice improvement from soaking in apple cider vinegar baths. ACV is a known anti-inflammatory both internally and topically. These beneficial acids and vitamins may be part of the reason.

Soothes Skin Problems

ACV can help naturally kill fungus and bacteria on the skin thanks to its antimicrobial properties. Its antifungal properties make it a great way to fight yeast infections, candida, and athlete’s foot. Researchers have used it to treat stubborn candida infections in the body, in the vaginal area, and even in the mouth.

For this reason, AVC baths are also sometimes recommended for urinary tract infections. The vinegar can help kill the yeast or fungus and create an environment where it’s difficult for infection to thrive.

Some people use ACV for relief of eczema (atopic dermatitis) and other skin conditions. A 2019 trial had people with eczema soak their arm in diluted ACV for 10 minutes a day. Those with sensitive skin noticed irritation and no one had significantly better skin after soaking. However, a 2016 animal study found that using an acidic acv cream helped prevent eczema patches from developing. By balancing the skin’s pH apple cider vinegar can help eczema prone skin stay healthier.

Healthcare experts often recommend vinegar for skin problems dandruff, and dry skin. These same antibacterial properties and beneficial acids make vinegar effective against zits. A tiny dab of ACV can often help reverse a zit overnight.

Reduce Body Odor

Body odor occurs when bacteria mix with sweat or moisture from the body and thrives in the warm moist environment. It especially loves hot places like the underarms. Apple cider vinegar helps kill bacteria and reduce odor. It also creates an environment where odor is less likely to thrive.

Various studies have looked at vinegar’s antibacterial effects and made some impressive discoveries. Not only can vinegar fight a variety of pathogens, but it also helps with resistant bacterial strains.

I haven’t personally tried it, but many people who can’t tolerate deodorants with baking soda dilute apple cider vinegar to use as a deodorant with great results. An armpit detox may also be helpful for those with body odor or irritated underarms.

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5 from 2 votes

DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Bath

It may not be my favorite smell but a vinegar bath does wonders for my skin and hair. Here’s how to do it! I try to take a vinegar bath once or twice a week.
Prep Time2 minutes
Soaking Time20 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Yield: bath
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Fill a tub with hot or warm water and add 1 to 2 cups of apple cider vinegar. Add Epsom salt if using.
  • Soak for at least 20 minutes in the bath water. Make sure to get your hair wet too.
  • You can leave the vinegar on the skin and towel dry or rinse off in cool water first.

Notes

You can also infuse the vinegar with herbs for added skin benefits if desired. Lavender, rose, and calendula are a few good options. Here’s how to make an herb infused vinegar.

Other Skin Uses for ACV

  • As I mentioned, a tiny dab of ACV can often remedy a zit overnight
  • I also use a diluted spray of apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon in 1 cup of water) as a soothing facial toner
  • You can use this same spray on the underarms for a natural deodorant. Some people find they need to increase the vinegar’s concentration for deodorant.
  • Dab undiluted vinegar on toenail fungus or soak in a strong (50:50) solution of white or apple cider vinegar and water.
  • Dab ACV on warts
  • Rinse hair with 1/4 cup ACV in 1 cup water for shiny hair.

How do you use vinegar? Ever taken an apple cider vinegar bath?

There are many benefits to taking vinegar baths. Vinegar helps naturally balance the skins pH, softens skin and helps kill any yeast.

Sources
  1. El Abdali, et al. (2023). Exploring the Bioactive Compounds in Some Apple Vinegar Samples and Their Biological Activities. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 12(22), 3850.
  2. Ozen, B., & Baser, M. (2017). Vaginal Candidiasis Infection Treated Using Apple Cider Vinegar: A Case Report. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 23(7), AT5751.
  3. Yagnik, D., Serafin, V., & J Shah, A. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific reports, 8(1), 1732.
  4. Mota, A. et al. (2015). Antifungal Activity of Apple Cider Vinegar on Candida Species Involved in Denture Stomatitis. Journal of prosthodontics : official journal of the American College of Prosthodontists, 24(4), 296–302.
  5. Beh, B. et al. (2017). Anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of synthetic acetic acid vinegar and Nipa vinegar on high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Scientific reports, 7(1), 6664.
  6. Yagnik, D., Ward, M., & Shah, A. J. (2021). Antibacterial apple cider vinegar eradicates methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and resistant Escherichia coli. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1854.
  7. Štornik, A., Skok, B., & Tr?ek, J. (2016). Comparison of Cultivable Acetic Acid Bacterial Microbiota in Organic and Conventional Apple Cider Vinegar. Food technology and biotechnology, 54(1), 113–119.
  8. Ayk?n, E., et al. (2015). Bioactive components of mother vinegar. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 34(1), 80–89.
  9. Lee, N. et al. (2016). Application of Topical Acids Improves Atopic Dermatitis in Murine Model by Enhancement of Skin Barrier Functions Regardless of the Origin of Acids. Annals of dermatology, 28(6), 690–696.
  10. Elhage, K., et al. (2022). Acetic acid and the skin: a review of vinegar in dermatology. International journal of dermatology, 61(7), 804–811.
  11. Migala, J. (2024, May). Apple Cider Vinegar 101: A Complete Guide. Everyday Health.
  12. McDonald, E. (2018, August 23). Debunking the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. University of Chicago Medicine.

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    Katie Wells Avatar

    About Katie Wells

    Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

    Comments

    120 responses to “Apple Cider Vinegar Baths (and Why You Should Try One)”

    1. Kim Avatar
      Kim

      I have used baking soda instead of shampoo for years and I use ACV as a rinse. I get many compliments on my shiny hair. I have also stopped “coloring” my hair. Great results

      Reply
    2. Sharon Avatar
      Sharon

      Dear Katie,
      Thank you for this (and any other!) helpful article(s). I’m definitely going to give ACV baths! My question for you is this: My cousin lives in Brazil and she cannot find apple-cider vinegar there. Would regular vinegar be beneficial too, especially for issues with “lady parts?”
      I hope you’ll see this and answer me!
      Thank you so much.

      Reply
    3. Rachel Avatar
      Rachel

      I’m on day 3 of a foot soak (one foot, toes and pad submerged in a 1:1 for 30 min) to cure fungus. I’m nursing so I’ve been looking for a natural cure and thought I’d try this. It’s working great but today I am having an itch all over my body. I did go to the beach two days ago and got barely pink on my already tan skin. But I go to the beach weekly and have applied aloe with no relief so I don’t think it’s that. Could the ACV cause the overall body itch?

      Reply
    4. Mindy Avatar
      Mindy

      We have always used vinegar with Epsom salts. 1:1 ratio in a bath. AVC helps absorption of the Epsom salts.

      Reply
    7. Ashley Avatar
      Ashley

      Has anyone used a diluted version gor an infant bath? My daughter has a persistent yeast diaper rash & I’m looking for solutions!

      Reply
    8. Ayanna Avatar
      Ayanna

      Hi i just tried the acv bath for the first time, n didnt know that if you have lots of toxins in your body it can make u feel sick. I threw up about 20mins after my bath. My skin smells amazing but i would suggest for first timers to use less than a cup of acv n dont soak for 30mins. Try less time as well.

      Reply
    9. Marie Cornella Avatar
      Marie Cornella

      Does it have to be apple cider vineger? I always used white or just plain vineger, my momma taught my that it was good for my skin an hair.

      Reply
    11. Susan Hamilton Avatar
      Susan Hamilton

      I am using apple cider vinegar in a lot of situations. I take a lot of apple cider vinegar baths, I wash my hair with it (after shampoo-ing). I just keep a bottle with water and diluted ACV and add a little bit of lavender or any other scented oil. It doesn’t moisturize as a conditioner, but it makes my hair stronger and unbreakable. It also helps me by not making it as oily as a normal conditioner does.
      ACV is great, I strongly recommend it.

      Reply
    13. David Avatar
      David

      Do vinegar baths not leave you smelling like vinegar? And how do you get rid of the smell? ACV is especially stinky. Just drinking a small amount diluted with water leaves me gagging and almost vomiting. I usually have to pop a mint or something strong to get rid of that flavor as quick as possible.

      Reply
    14. Pamela Avatar
      Pamela

      I’ve got a question about vinegar baths.Is it better to use Apple cider vinegar unfiltered or filtered and why?Also is there a benefit from adding red wine vinegar to a glass of water , I read about Apple cider vinegar benefits.Which do you prefer and could I mix it up once in awhile and still get the same benefits from both?Thank you so much!

      Reply
      1. Kath Pascoe Avatar
        Kath Pascoe

        Use ACV with the”Mother” still in. Its less processed

        Reply
    15. Donna Avatar
      Donna

      On a more delicate note and not to do with bathing, but I will certainly get my daughter to try this. My daughter is prone to Herpes infections, usually directly after her monthly cycle. She was prescribed the usual medication which seemed to take forever and didn’t in my opinion do a lot very quickly. When I discovered ACV, I told her to try using directly onto the sores. We were amazed! as soon as she got up the next morning, she said “mum!, its nearly all gone!. By the next day it had cleared up completely. Now she uses it as a gentle wash after her monthly cycle and weve had no problems since.

      Reply
    16. Allyson Strobel Avatar
      Allyson Strobel

      Check into PTNS-Percutanious Tibele Nerve Stimulator treatments on your legs. You do 12 treatments 30 minutes every week and then go to hopefully for you once a month, it will get 90% pain under control, if I did not do the IC diet and d-mannose and things, I Would need it more often. They take a machine called Urgent PC Stimulator that hooks up to an acupuncture needle on your tibele nerve hook the electric by a little grabber on one of your legs and then the other the next week for 30 minutes, the needle usually does not hurt unless they hit the nerve but they react fast when you holler, needle goes 3 fingers up from your ankle and one finger over; they try to find the “g” spot of the tibele nerve that curls your toes and has a little vibration feel. What this does is numbs yor pelvic area and which is one of the largest nerves in your body. Cannot tell you how awesome this treatment is! I have it done at Ft Carson, Colorado. The machine looks very similar to a tens unit. In fact, I use my tens unit all night doing electrode pads in the same spot as the acupuncture needle goes. It does help in between monthly treatments so I do not have to go in but once a month. But it does not kill the inflammation whatever is the cause of all the pain. For those of you that just got it, do your absolute darndest to get the inflammation gone cause I think it leads to chronic kidney disease which I found out I have this year(have had IC for 35 years). Research Dr. Hulda Clark and her radio frequencies to kill human body parasites, viruses, bacterias, etc., if you get the bug theory, look into getting a parazapper or a Spooky2…just google. 1 out of 7 people have this IC/PFD. The other theory of mine is we are born with too many mast cells and so we are sooooo sensitive to everything including we can be prone to cancer. If you are sensitive to medications, get headaches, you are either too hot or too cold when everyone else is fine, look up systemic mastocytosis and if you have a lot of the listed symptoms including IC, there is your answer of why your life is pretty painful. If I am allowed, go watch all the videos on YouTube by Montreal healthy girl, you will have a much better life if you absorb what she shares on that media, the best information I have come across in decades!! I am hoping that cold pressed hemp oil will also help or even kill some of the critters that took the bladder lining away. I have read you can get some of the lining back by doing some herb treatments (did not take notes though) but I cannot really back that one up but you all can research it for yourselves! For sure, we can help ourselves through the homeopathic side of medical, just get reading!!

      Reply
    17. Trish Tipton Avatar
      Trish Tipton

      I’ve been spraying undiluted ACV under my armpits and other sweaty areas for 9 years. I follow with a shower and use safeguard soap. I’ve not used deodorant this whole time. I do mix up cornstarch, baby powder and baking soda to keep from chafing. I had extremely bad body odor and found this combination on the web and tried it and have had great success ever since. IMPORTANT: You must wash all your clothes in white vinegar to kill the bacteria on the fabric. Otherwise it will transfer bacteria (smell) back onto your skin. White vinegar is a natural fabric softener and actually sets colors. I use about a cup or from the gallon jug circle the wash once. Both the ACV and white vinegar work for stinky feet as well. If you can’t wash the shoes spray them with the white vinegar and let them dry overnight. Again spray the feet with ACV before showering. Another side note: Since it’s summer now and chances are a swim towel may sit around until it sours. Soak it in white vinegar water in the sink and follow with regular wash. Thanks for all the tips above!

      Reply
    18. Brad Avatar
      Brad

      I have had diabetes for 17 years, of which I’ve had multiple bones infections over the past 11 years. Fortunately, I’ve never had an amputation until now. The greatest Dr I’ve ever had, because she’s healed many of my other wound without amputation when other doctors recommended amp, now is just waiting for me to get the nerve to get it. That’s when a friend highly suggested ACV mixed with Listerine and water. I’m just starting it today. Then I cover my foot with coconut oil mixed with nano colloidal silver. Have you heard of some else using ACV got bone infections? If not, I’ll let you know I’m two weeks when, not if but when, I save my toe

      Reply
    19. Michelle Avatar
      Michelle

      Recently I have started AVC internally at 2 teaspoons three times a day in 8oz water. After 2 days I have a very bad headache so am reducing the amount today……build up slowly. I had an ACV bath…1 cup and was it wonderful!!!

      My question…. I have read that AVC can lower potassium and we should be careful of that and have started to eat a banana a day but, is that enough? I also take take Sundowns whole food vitamins but it does not contain a huge amount of potassium. Thanks so much. 🙂

      Reply
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