Vinegar as a Household Cleaner: What It Can and Cannot Clean

Vinegar is a common ingredient in cooking as well as household cleaning. It is a natural, inexpensive liquid effective at removing certain stains. However, many home-makers wonder: Does vinegar really clean everything?

Here’s a detailed overview, including the tasks vinegar can handle as a primary cleaner, and surfaces you should avoid using it on. Typically, white vinegar—cheaper than apple cider vinegar—is used for cleaning. Vinegar is classified as a non-toxic cleaner, unlike chemical cleaning products that contain many potentially harmful substances. Using vinegar can often replace multiple cleaning products, including those for stainless steel, glass, floors, surfaces, walls, carpets, wood, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, drains, ovens, and mold removal.

Effective Uses of Vinegar in Household Cleaning

White vinegar is versatile, economical, and chemical-free, making it effective for numerous cleaning tasks:

1. Eliminates unpleasant odors: Place an open container of vinegar in rooms or refrigerators to absorb odors.

2. Cleans trash bins: Use a mixture of vinegar and water to scrub bins.

3. Laundry: Vinegar helps set colors, whiten fabrics, soften clothes, and reduce static electricity.

4. Glass and mirrors: Its acidity allows streak-free cleaning.

5. Removes rust: Effective on metals and for dissolving lime scale in kettles, showerheads, and dishwashers by soaking items in vinegar.

6. Fights mold: Helps prevent mold growth, which can lead to health problems.

7. Stain removal: Works on tough stains, such as tea or coffee marks in cups.

8. Floor cleaning: Can be diluted with water for general floor or glass surface cleaning.

9. Unclogs drains: Combine with baking soda to clear blocked pipes.

10. Polishes silverware: A simple solution for silver items.

11. Repels pests: Can deter ants and other insects.

Surfaces and Items Vinegar Should Not Touch

Despite its many uses, vinegar is not safe for all surfaces or appliances:

• Irons: Avoid adding vinegar to the reservoir; concentrated vinegar can permanently damage the appliance.

• Natural stone surfaces (marble, granite): Vinegar can etch and dull these surfaces and damage sealants.

• Dishwashers: Acetic acid in vinegar may corrode rubber or metal parts; some manufacturers advise against its use.

• Electronic screens: Never use vinegar on computers, tablets, smartphones, or TVs.

• Wooden floors and furniture: Can strip protective finishes, leaving surfaces dull or scratched.

• Certain knives: Avoid using vinegar on some stainless steel, aluminum, or copper knives; use warm water and dish soap instead.

Important Tips When Using Vinegar

Kitchen appliances and plastic or glass surfaces, such as blenders and coffee makers, are generally safe to clean with vinegar. However, avoid pouring vinegar on rubber parts or metals prone to corrosion, including stainless steel.