What kind of vinegar is used for cleaning?

For cleaning, you should use Distilled White Vinegar, which has about 5% acetic acid, or the stronger Cleaning Vinegar, which is 6% acetic acid, to cut grease, grime, and mineral deposits; avoid food vinegars like balsamic or apple cider as they can stain or smell, focusing on white distilled for general tasks and cleaning vinegar for tougher jobs like soap scum.

What is the best vinegar for cleaning?

The best vinegar for general cleaning is distilled white vinegar (around 5% acetic acid) for its effectiveness, low cost, and lack of color, while cleaning vinegar (6-10% acetic acid) offers more power for tougher jobs but is stronger and pricier; avoid flavored or colored vinegars like balsamic for cleaning due to staining and cost.
 

What white vinegar should not be cleaned with?

Don't use vinegar to clean cast iron cookware, stainless steel, hardwood floors and furniture, natural stone surfaces like granite and marble, electronic screens, washing machines, dishwashers, or grout.

Is there a difference between cleaning vinegar and regular vinegar?

Cleaning vinegar is stronger than regular white vinegar, with 6-8% acetic acid versus regular vinegar's 5%, making it better for tough grime but unsafe for food; while regular vinegar works for light cleaning and cooking, cleaning vinegar offers enhanced power for tasks like soap scum removal but should never be consumed.
 

Can you mix vinegar and Dawn dish soap together?

Yes, you can mix Dawn dish soap and vinegar to create a popular, effective, and cheap homemade cleaner for tackling grease, soap scum, and grime on surfaces like tubs, showers, and fixtures, often by warming the vinegar slightly before mixing equal parts or adjusting ratios (like 1:2 soap to vinegar) and letting it sit before scrubbing and rinsing. While some technical debate exists about pH levels neutralizing effectiveness, users find the combination powerful, though it's crucial to avoid using it on certain delicate surfaces and to rinse thoroughly to prevent slipperiness, as noted in this video and this video.
 

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR: Everything You Need to Know (Save $$$)

What should you not mix with vinegar?

You should never mix vinegar with bleach (creates toxic chlorine gas), hydrogen peroxide (creates corrosive peracetic acid), or ammonia (creates chloramine gas); also avoid mixing with rubbing alcohol (creates chloroform) and be cautious using it on natural stone, hardwood floors, cast iron, and electronics due to its acidity damaging surfaces. 

Can you clean a shower with vinegar?

Put white vinegar into a spray bottle. Sprinkle baking soda into the bath and then spray the vinegar on top of it. After that scrub hard with a brush. Then rinse.

What surfaces should cleaning vinegar avoid?

In addition to common household appliances and electronics, we'll reveal which surfaces should be avoided when cleaning with distilled white vinegar.

• When to Avoid Cleaning With Vinegar. ...
• Clothes Irons. ...
• Countertops. ...
• Dishwashers. ...
• Electronic Screens. ...
• Flooring. ...
• Kitchen Knives. ...
• Ranges.

Can vinegar remove mold and mildew?

Yes, vinegar can kill mold.

White vinegar is a mild acid known to kill roughly 82 percent of mold species, and it can even help prevent mold outbreaks in the future. Vinegar can kill mold, while bleach cannot because vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Can I mix cleaning vinegar with baking soda?

Yes, you can mix baking soda and vinegar for cleaning, but it's often ineffective because the acid and base neutralize each other, leaving mostly salty water and carbon dioxide gas, which only provides temporary scrubbing power from the fizz. While the bubbling action can loosen some grime (great for drains or tough stains if used sequentially), it's better to use them separately or apply baking soda first, then vinegar, for better results on specific issues like mineral buildup (vinegar) or odors (baking soda). 

Why pour vinegar down the drain in October?

Experts recommend pouring vinegar down drains in October as a preventative measure for fall/winter clogs, using a baking soda and vinegar mix to break down grease, soap scum, and bacteria that build up, especially as you cook more and stay indoors, potentially leading to blockages from increased indoor use and heavy fall rains. This natural method keeps drains flowing and reduces odors without harsh chemicals, saving money on future costly repairs, says The Sun and Tom's Guide. 

Why are people spraying their porch with vinegar?

With the promise of food and protection, your porch or patio is irresistible to these little critters. While chemical-laden insecticides can effectively eliminate spider infestations, vinegar offers a non-toxic alternative. How does it work? Spiders dislike vinegar's pungent odor, and they avoid areas treated with it.

What do professionals say you should never use vinegar on?

In particular, avoid using vinegar on natural stone surfaces such as marble, granite, and travertine. The acidity can dull these materials over time and may even break down the sealant that protects them from stains.

Do you need to dilute vinegar for cleaning?

As mentioned before, vinegar is a strong acid and it should be diluted for routine household cleaning. My spray is diluted with 50% water.

Can you use vinegar to clean grout?

To wash grout fast, make a paste of baking soda and water and spread a thin layer on the grout lines. Spray the paste with white vinegar and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse with warm water.

Which vinegar is best for cleaning floors?

Distilled white vinegar usually has an acidity around 5%, which gives it the power to cut through dirt, mineral deposits, and hard-water stains.

What kills mold permanently?

To kill mold permanently, you must first eliminate the moisture source, then physically remove the mold using cleaners like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach (on non-porous surfaces), and finally prevent regrowth with proper ventilation, dehumidifiers, and mold-resistant materials, as mold returns if it has water to feed on. Professional remediation uses techniques like HEPA vacuuming, dry ice blasting, and antimicrobial fogging for tough cases, followed by UV-C light treatment in HVAC systems.
 

What are signs of black mold exposure?

Black mold exposure symptoms often mimic allergies or hay fever, including sneezing, runny nose, coughing, itchy/watery eyes, and skin rashes, but can also trigger asthma with wheezing and shortness of breath, or cause headaches, fatigue, and "brain fog," especially in sensitive individuals or those with weakened immune systems, requiring a doctor's visit if persistent.
 

What are the downsides of cleaning with vinegar?

The main disadvantages of using vinegar for cleaning are its strong, unpleasant odor, potential to damage natural stone (marble, granite), wood finishes, and some metals, and its ineffectiveness as a broad-spectrum disinfectant, despite being acidic and good for descaling and shining glass. It can etch stone, dull wood, damage rubber seals in appliances, and isn't an EPA-registered sanitizer for killing 99.9% of germs like commercial products.
 

Can I mix vinegar and Dawn dish soap?

Yes, you can mix Dawn dish soap and vinegar to create a popular, effective, and cheap homemade cleaner for tackling grease, soap scum, and grime on surfaces like tubs, showers, and fixtures, often by warming the vinegar slightly before mixing equal parts or adjusting ratios (like 1:2 soap to vinegar) and letting it sit before scrubbing and rinsing. While some technical debate exists about pH levels neutralizing effectiveness, users find the combination powerful, though it's crucial to avoid using it on certain delicate surfaces and to rinse thoroughly to prevent slipperiness, as noted in this video and this video.
 

How long does vinegar need to sit on a surface to disinfect?

But those effects depend in part on how long the vinegar solution is in contact with a particular surface, says Jason Tetro, a microbiologist in Edmonton, Alberta, and author of “The Germ Files.” “You need at least five minutes for killing bacteria and 30 minutes for viruses.”

What do merry maids use to clean showers?

Merry Maids uses a combination of DIY solutions and professional products, heavily featuring distilled white vinegar for soap scum and hard water, mixed with dish soap, baking soda, and sometimes lemon oil, alongside their own multi-surface or specific soap scum removers for tougher jobs, all applied with microfiber cloths, scrub brushes, and squeegees.
 

Can you clean a toilet with vinegar?

Vinegar Is a Greener (and Cheaper!)

Not only is vinegar a natural cleaning method, but it's also cheaper than traditional toilet cleaners. I picked up a 64-ounce container of cleaning vinegar for $2.48. I used about a cup of vinegar in each toilet I cleaned, so I'll get about 8 scrubbings in for less than $3.

Do I need to rinse walls after cleaning with vinegar?

Use a damp sponge with a gentle cleaning solution for washing walls, tackling stubborn stains with baking soda or vinegar, then rinse and dry thoroughly before painting.

---