The popularity of vinegar as a multi-purpose cleaner has grown in recent years. Many people, including some domestic workers, prefer this product because it is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and cheaper than traditional cleaning products.
“Vinegar is well known not only for its versatility in the kitchen, but also for its cleaning properties, as it is very effective at removing mineral deposits, such as limescale, that accumulate on surfaces,” say scientists at the Vinegar Institute, an association that has brought together companies and scientists around this product since 1945.
But how effective is it? White vinegar contains approximately five percent acetic acid, which helps break down the structure of some grime, dissolves hard water deposits, grease, and stains, and can eliminate some bacteria.
However, some research indicates that it can cause serious damage to appliances and other household items, and despite having some disinfectant properties, it is not as effective as other products, including hydrogen peroxide.
“There is a common perception that vinegar can clean everything, but it isn’t the catchall ingredient that you might think it is,” said Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications at the American Cleaning Institute.
Use of vinegar as a disinfectant
On the one hand, there are studies that support the use of vinegar as an antibacterial agent, including research from the University of Virginia that tested the effectiveness of vinegar diluted with water in eliminating Escherichia coli (E. coli) from fruit.
Thanks to its acidic pH, or acidity level, it can ensure an inhospitable environment for some bacteria, but it does not guarantee the elimination of other germs, such as viruses (including COVID-19), mold, and other bacteria.
What should not be cleaned with vinegar
White vinegar can be good for cleaning windows or washing some appliances because the acid it contains reacts with the chemicals in stains and dissolves them, says Joe Glajch, a chemist and the president of JLG AP Consulting, but he warns that “just as it eats away at coffee stains, imagine it doing the same thing to other surfaces in your home.”
Research by Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and informing consumers, debunks the use of vinegar in several cases, including:
- Appliances: Although it is safe to use vinegar to clean most plastic and glass parts of small appliances such as coffee makers, blenders, toasters, etc., vinegar can corrode rubber or metal parts. Putting vinegar in an iron is also not recommended, because it can rust the inside of the appliance.
- Kitchen countertops: Vinegar is not recommended for cleaning natural stones such as marble or limestone, which these surfaces are usually made of, as it causes them to lose their shine. On other materials such as granite, it can break down the sealant that covers it.
- Floors: Diluted vinegar can dissolve the finish that protects wood and make it look dull or scratched. Many flooring manufacturers warn against using this product to clean wood floors, and some will even void the warranty if there is evidence of vinegar use. This also applies to wooden furniture.
- Electronic device screens: Consumer Reports research also found that “vinegar can damage a screen’s anti-glare properties and even make a touchscreen less responsive,” according to Antoinette Asedillo, an electronics reviewer for the organization.
- Washing machine: With constant use, vinegar can damage rubber seals and melt hoses in some washing machines and even cause leaks, according to Steven Grayson, owner of an appliance service in North Carolina.
When to use vinegar as a cleaner
Although it is not a cleaner for everything, vinegar can be a great option in certain cases. Several reports recognize its properties for cleaning surfaces such as glass, faucets, showers, bathtubs, bathrooms, certain types of floors such as ceramic (except natural stone), and appliances that do not contain rubber or metal parts.
Editor’s note: This article was originally written in Spanish and translated into English by Tilde Language Justice Cooperative
