Apple cider vinegar is all-natural and can be used for so many things around your home. It can be an all-purpose cleaner, room deodorizer, flea treatment for your pets, and it’s a great immunity booster! Take a look at these 8 ways to use apple cider vinegar and you’ll never see apple cider vinegar the same way again!

1) All-Purpose Cleaner

Ditch the chemicals and try out this all-natural cleaner! We’ve mentioned vinegar cleaners before, and we’ll mention them again since we love them so much! Apple cider vinegar is antibacterial and odor absorbing, making it great to use around your home. It’s safe for pets and humans alike, so mix up 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle and use it wherever you need to!

2) Get Rid of Odors

If you’ve got some bad odors lurking around your home, there’s an easy way to get rid of them! Place a shallow bowl with apple cider vinegar where your odor is the strongest. Leave the bowl there until the smell is gone.

3) Pet Flea Treatment

Dilute apple cider vinegar with water (1 part water, 1 part apple cider vinegar) and rub the mixture into your pet’s fur. It’ll help keep those nasty fleas at bay without the use of harsh chemicals!

4) Erase Warts

Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the wart. Use a bandaid to hold it in place overnight. Repeat these steps and your wart will be gone in no time!

5) Add it to Your Soups

Apple cider vinegar is not just for salads! Add it to your favorite vegetable soup for a kick!

6) Use it in Baking

Adding apple cider vinegar to your baking recipes will enhance the flavor of all the ingredients. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to detect any apple cider taste in your cakes!

7) Detox!

Add a tbsp or two to your meals to help build up your immune system. Doctors believe that adding apple cider vinegar into meals also helps improve lymph circulation.

8) Make Juice

Everyone knows that adding a spoon of apple cider vinegar to your water is great for your health, but why stop there? Add it to your grapefruit juice or grape juice for a boost!

Photos: Ebay, Inhabitat, Painter 1, Fan Pop, Teeth Health x, Food Network, Fine Cooking, Making Thyme for Health, Huffington Post.

Hide that unsightly litterbox with these chic and functional ideas! From Ikea furniture hacks to upgraded self-ventilating litterboxes, there’s so many options to choose from! Take a look at these 5 budget-friendly and easy ways to hide the litterbox!

1. Ikea Cabinet Hack

If you like to keep things simple, this is for you! This minimalist cabinet from Ikea is the perfect way to hide the litterbox. Everyone that comes into your home will assume it’s just another regular piece of furniture! Take a look at the tutorial here to make your own.

2. Upcycled Wood Cabinet

This wood cabinet was found at the side of the road and turned into this stylish litterbox cabinet! Check out the tutorial here.

3. Self-Ventilating Litter Box

This project is a bit more complicated, but so worth it! This hidden litterbox is equipped with a ventilation system, which means 0 odors! It also slides out for easy cleaning. Take a look!

4. Salvaged Boards Turned Into Hidden Litterbox

This cabinet was made from salvaged porch boards that were painted and distressed. It’s a great way to hide the litterbox from nosy dogs, and also has space to store cat supplies.
5. Built-In Litterbox

This litterbox is actually attached to a closet door! It also has a cute cat silhouette cut out of the door for a kitty entrance. This would be a great solution for someone who lives in a small space.

Photos: Apartment Therapy, Chaotically Creative, Ikea Hackers, Buildipedia.

We love cats, but what we don’t love is scratch marks on our furniture! To save your carpets and sofas, make this easy scratching post for cheap. Salvage a traffic cone or purchase one at your hardware store, and don’t forget the sisal rope! We guarantee kitty won’t be able to stay away from her new favorite scratching post that’s not your sofa!

Supplies:

1) Traffic cone

2) Sisal rope

3) Hot glue gun and glue sticks

4) Scissors

5) Cat toys

6) White spray paint

7) Cat nip (optional)

Step 1:

Spray paint your traffic cone so that none of the neon orange pokes through the sisal rope. Allow the traffic cone to dry overnight.

Step 2:

Start gluing the rope to the bottom of the traffic cone and work your way up. Once you get close to the top, get your cat toys and attach them to the cone using a piece of yarn. Drop the yarn into the top hole of the cone and glue it to the top. Wrap rope around the strings, allowing the toys to hang loose.

Step 3:

Rub cat nip onto the new scratching post to attract your cat to it!

Photos and idea: So Fancy Blog.

With kids, pets, and weekend get-togethers, stains and dirt can be inevitable. We all know what it’s like trying to scrub out that stubborn coffee stain that never seems to fade. These tips and tricks will help you battle (and win!) the toughest stains on your carpet, and keep it clean, too!

First, the stains need to go! Here’s how:

1. Take 2 empty spray bottles and fill one with cold water. In the other bottle, add 1/4 tsp dishwashing liquid and 1 cup of warm water. Shake well.

2. Spray the detergent mix onto a cloth and dab the stain (don’t rub!). As the stain begins to dissolve, begin to blot with a clean section of the cloth. Keep doing this until the stain is gone.

3. Take a clean cloth and spray it with the cold water. Use it to rinse the detergent from the carpet, and blot it with a dry cloth.

4. Stack up paper towels on the spot and place a heavy pot on top. Leave this overnight. The paper towels will soak up any residual stain that’s deep inside the carpet. In the morning, remove the pot and paper towels and fluff up the carpet with your fingers. Allow it to air-dry completely.

Now that we’ve got the stains out, here are a few tips on how to keep dirt at bay:

De-Grit Doormats

Your interior doormats only stop dirt from being tracked inside the house if they’re clean. Toss your mats into the washer and dryer on a gentle cycle and tumble-dry them on low. If they are non-washable, use a vacuum. Vacuum first the front, then the back to loosen any embedded dirt. Vacuum the front of the mat again to get all the grit that came out. To give the mat a quick refresh, take it outside and shake it well. Using a stick or your hand, beat the mat to loosen any dirt.

Clean High-Traffic Areas

In between heavy-duty cleanings, use a powdered or foam carpet cleaner on areas that get a lot of traffic. Apply the cleaner according to package directions and vacuum.

Take Off Your Shoes

Keep dirt outside by implementing a no-shoes rule in your home. Keep extra slippers near the door, and encourage visitors or family members to use them. Keep a broom handy in the entryway closet to collect dirt before it gets stuck into your doormats. Put mats outside your door as well so you can wipe your feet before heading inside.

Photos: Angies List, This Old House, House Ideas. 

We love spending time with our pets outside. Whether it’s chasing a ball or lounging around in the sun, it’s great for bonding with your pets and giving them the exercise they need. Although we think our yards are a safe place, there could be hidden dangers that can affect your pets. Keep reading to find out about these 6 deadly hazards that could be lurking in your yard.

1. Snail and Slug Baits

Snail and slug baits contain metaldehyde can result in toxicity. Make sure to follow label directions before around any pets. Even better, try going for a natural solution like laying around copper wires, or salt.

2. Cocoa Mulch

Just like chocolate, cocoa mulch contains the methylxanthines that cause problems with the heart in animals, and eating it can be fatal in high doses.

3. Poisonous Plants

Make sure you know the names of all the plants in your yard and if they are toxic to your pets. Common poisonous plants include yews, azaleas, poison hemlock, and castor. Make sure you remove or block off any plants that may be toxic.

4. Fruit Trees

If you have fruit trees in your yard, usually there will be fallen fruit around the tree. If not cleared away, mold will start to grow on the fruit and if ingested by your pets, it can cause seizures and tremor.

5. Fencing

Dogs and cats are experts in the art of escaping enclosures. Make sure you inspect your fence for any holes that will allow your pets to flee, and can allow wild creatures in. Check for any holes underneath the fence as well.

6. Water

Backyard pools can pose dangers to your pets. Aside from drowning, the water in your pool contains toxic chemicals, and is not intended for drinking. In the cold months, a covered pool can pose dangers when if your pet walks across it. The animal can slip beneath the cover and get caught in the straps and ties.

Photos: Veseys, The Obsessed Gardener, The Self Sufficient Living, Reddit, Professional Pet Shampoo, Home Interior Image.