A Guide to Cleaning with Vinegar
Cleaning with Vinegar, A Natural Hack your Home Needs.
Cleaning with Vinegar, Simple and Quick – Dang Good Hacks that do the Trick!
Tired of cleaning products with warning labels longer than your grocery list? We all know how that feels. And that’s why more people are turning to a simple, safe, and surprisingly effective solution: cleaning with vinegar. Did you know that the bottle of white vinegar in your pantry isn’t just for cooking? It’s a natural, non-toxic, budget-friendly cleaner that tackles grime like a pro.
And when vinegar isn’t enough on your high ticket items? Dang Good Carpet and Furnace Cleaning is here to handle the deep stuff—carpets, ducts, furnaces, and more. In this blog, we’ll look into how vinegar can be the hero that works wonders around your home!
What is so great about Cleaning with Vinegar?
White distilled vinegar contains water and acetic acid produced through fermentation, which gives it that potent smell, as well as its superpower as a cleaner! It breaks down grease, grime, and even certain types of bacteria. The best part is that it doesn’t leave behind any weird chemical residue. According to the BBC article: Why Vinegar Is So Good at Cleaning? – vinegar’s advantage is its acidity, with a pH as low as 2.2. This makes it strong enough to dissolve mineral deposits like limescale without damaging most surfaces or fabrics. This acidity reacts with calcium carbonate buildup, breaking it down into a salt that dissolves in water, and that’s why vinegar works so effectively as a natural cleaner.
Best Type of Vinegar for Cleaning?
The most effective type of vinegar is white distilled vinegar. You don’t want to create stains that darker vinegars could cause. So it is best to avoid apple cider vinegar, wine vinegars, balsamic vinegar and other specialty vinegars where flavours and chemicals might have been added. White distilled vinegar is 5-7% acetic acid. You can also use Cleaning Vinegar which is stronger but can be harmful on delicate surfaces.
A General Household Cleaner.
Add equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle plus a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil to give your home a wipe down, but see below for surfaces to avoid.
Pros and Cons of Cleaning with Vinegar
The Benefits of Cleaning with Vinegar:
-
- It’s handy. Most households have it in their pantries.
- It’s relatively inexpensive, so a more economical choice if you are on a budget.
- It has antimicrobial properties.
- It’s eco-friendlier than shop-bought products, great if you are into green cleaning.
- It’s biodegradable, so ok to flush down the drain.
- It’s safer and non-toxic around children – but see below
The Cautions of Cleaning with Vinegar:
-
- Its strong acidity could irritate eyes and skin, so you should still take care around children.
- Take care when using outside as it can alter the soil’s pH.
- It is not suitable for all surfaces, and we go into some of them below.
- It can damage rubber seals on appliances.
But What About the Smell?
Yes, vinegar isn’t the best-smelling thing for your home. But don’t worry too much as it disappears quickly. If you’re not a fan, try adding a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil to your mix for a refreshing scent. Now you have a custom, eco-friendly cleaner that smells great too!
Does Vinegar Kill Germs?
The David Suzuki Foundation highlights studies that have shown vinegar and lemon juice lessen the number of pathogens to undetectable levels. When combined with salt and heat, they can inhibit and even kill certain harmful bacteria. However, they may still be less potent than commercial cleaning products.
When Cleaning with Vinegar is Unwise?
Keep in mind that vinegar isn’t perfect for every surface. As mentioned above, avoid using it on a natural stone like granite or marble, as the acid can dull and damage the finish. It’s also not ideal for cleaning egg spills since vinegar can make the mess harder to remove. Hardwood floors are another no-go unless the vinegar is heavily diluted, as it can strip away the protective finish. Also, remember to keep it far away from electronics, as it can be hazardous!
Cleaning with Vinegar around the Home.
- Dusting Furniture
First, don’t use vinegar on unsealed wood as it could penetrate it and cause damage. Also, avoid wax or oiled wood as the vinegar may dissolve those coatings. Even if you feel it is safe for your wood furniture, it is best to spray a vinegar-water solution onto a cloth. And it is essential to dilute the vinegar. A simple 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water mixture should suffice, but you could add 2 tablespoons of olive oil (well shaken) for extra shine. Likewise, you could try Apartment Therapy’s Dust Busting Cleaning Solution that adds 1-2 drops of dish soap too. - Glass, Windows & Mirrors
Use vinegar and water in a spray bottle for streak-free glass. Just use a lint-free cloth—or enjoy seeing those streaks from every angle for the rest of your week. - Window Tracks
A mix of vinegar and water works well to clean window tracks. - Laundry Booster
Add half a cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle to soften clothes and reduce odours. It can even help clean your washing machine – just one component of laundry room cleaning. - Carpets
Vinegar can help keep carpets smelling fresh. In a spray bottle, combine one part vinegar with two parts warm water. Lightly spray the carpet in the areas giving off an odour. Allow to dry. It is also useful for lifting carpet stains. - Cutlery
If you have silver in your dining room, you can use a diluted vinegar solution to polish it.
Cleaning with Vinegar in the Kitchen.
- Microwaves
Got stuck-on food and mystery smells? Put a bowl of water with a splash of vinegar inside, heat for 5 minutes, then wipe clean. It’s basically a facial for your microwave. Check out our dedicated microwave cleaning hacks blog. - Dishwasher Cleaner
Pour a cup of vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher and run a hot cycle. It helps break down mineral buildup and leaves things fresh. However, these days, many suggest that commercial dishwasher cleaners are more effective. But in a pinch, vinegar may still be worth a try for your dishwasher cleaning. - Kitchen Countertops (Except Stone)
Wipe down laminate and tile countertops with a 1:1 vinegar and water solution. - Kitchen Freshening
In our Kitchen Freshener Hacks blog, we delve into using vinegar as a deodorizer and making scented vinegar. - Coffee Pot
Vinegar is great for cleaning coffee pots and works great for wiping out the coffee grinders too. - Oven
A paste of baking soda and vinegar is a natural oven cleaner. - Fridge
For fridge cleaning, you can use the general spray bottle of vinegar solution, although it might be wise to avoid using on the seals. - Crockpots
For crockpot cleaning, soak the pot in a mix of water, vinegar and baking soda. Fill the pot with water, ensuring the mess is covered. Add a cup of distilled water and then slowly add a cup of baking soda. Set to a low heat setting and leave it to do its work. Check after an hour, although it may take longer.
Is Cleaning with Vinegar Safe on Granite or Marble Surfaces?
Avoid using it on granite or marble, as it can dull the stone. The problem is that it’s acidic and might cause scratches. A great video from “Clean That Up" gives advice on the best way to clean your granite countertops. It includes some pertinent dos and don’ts.
Cleaning with Vinegar in the Bathroom.
As mentioned above in cleaning with vinegar around the home, vinegar is a great cleaning agent for dusting, and cleaning glass, mirrors, windows or even window tracks.
- Bathroom Surfaces
Farewell soap scum! Vinegar breaks it down like a pro. Great for sinks, tubs, and faucets. For stubborn grime, let the vinegar sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping it away. - Bathroom Floors
Cleaning bathroom floors will depend on the material. Vinegar is good on ceramic, porcelain, vinyl and sealed tile. However, natural stone such as granite or unsealed grout is a no-no. Always start with vacuuming your floors to remove any loose dirt. Then mop the floor with a bucket mixed with 1 part vinegar and 8 parts water. Then rinse clean and dry. - Showers
The FIX IT Home Improvement Channel suggests spraying 100% distilled undiluted white vinegar on mould and soap scum in the bath or shower, although a 1:1 ratio of water and vinegar would be more gentle. However, see our safety measures for tile and grout below. For stubborn residues and hard-water stains they suggest you may need to let it sit for a bit before rinsing off. - Shower Doors
For shower doors, spray with the General Household Vinegar Cleaner. - Toilet
Pour a couple of cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and also spray some into the crevices of the bowl too. Let it sit for half an hour or longer if extremely dirty. Some then suggest sprinkling baking soda into the solution (similar to oven cleaning) to get a fizz reaction. If you have some stubborn stains, you may need to scrub with a soft brush, such as an old toothbrush. Vinegar is useful for removing stains and deodorizing.
Is Vinegar Safe to use on Tile and Grout?
You can use vinegar on sealed tiles within reason, but only if they are sealed. Nevertheless, I would avoid full-strength vinegar. Even a diluted solution should not be left on the tile for too long. Testing a less conspicuous area of the tiling might be wise. Be especially careful on unsealed or porous grout as it can be weakened by vinegar. Sometimes professional tile and grout cleaning is called for.
Can Vinegar be used to Clean Hardwood Floors?
The simple answer is: No – we do not recommend that you use vinegar on hardwood floors.
Is vinegar safe for cleaning upholstery and fabric?
Yes, you can use the vinegar and water process (sometimes with mild soap) on many types of upholstery and fabrics, but always test on a hidden area first. We go into more detail on our blog about upholstery cleaning tips. See our mattress cleaning hacks for using vinegar on stains and for spot treatments.
Cleaning with Vinegar Hacks for Outdoors.
Using equal parts vinegar and water, you can effectively spray down patio furniture and other outdoor decor. Afterwards, rinse with water. Vinegar works well on mould and is good at breaking down burnt debris on barbecue grills.
1 cup of vinegar mixed with two tablespoons of dish soap in a bucket of water can be a cool homemade deck cleaner too.
Mixing Vinegar with other Household Ingredients.
Vinegar mixes okay with:
Dish Soap Lemon Essential Oils Baking soda – with caution though. Some say it simply neutralizes vinegar, and others advise against it because it creates a chemical reaction (fizzing) producing carbon dioxide gas that helps breakdown dirt. However, don’t pre-mix and store; don’t leave unattended; and only use in small quantities if you choose to combine it with vinegar.
You should never mix vinegar with:
Hydrogen Peroxide Bleach
How does Vinegar compare to Commercial Cleaning Products?
Vinegar is clearly cheaper and more eco-friendly but might not be as effective as a commercial cleaning product. When you need to address tough stains or need a more complete disinfection a commercial cleaning product might be better. However, vinegar is great for every day, routine cleaning or if you need something on hand in a hurry.
National Vinegar Day.
The celebration of National Vinegar Day happens every year on November 1st. This is a day set aside to celebrate vinegar and its various benefits. Besides its uses in cleaning, it adds a distinct flavour to cooking, serves a preservation purpose in pickling and is often considered a natural sanitizer. Find out more in the video about the history and celebration of National Vinegar Day. How about exploring recipes where vinegar is prominent or learning a new vinegar hack? Promote National Vinegar Day on social media with the hashtag: #NationalVinegarDay.
When Cleaning with Vinegar isn’t Enough!
Leave it to Dang Good to come to the rescue!
Sure, cleaning with vinegar is great—but sometimes, life’s too busy to go full DIY. If your carpets, ducts, or furnace need a deep, professional clean and vinegar just isn’t cutting it, let the pros at Dang Good Carpet and Furnace Cleaning handle it.
Whether you need carpet cleaning, an upholstery refresh, furnace and duct cleaning, tile and grout cleaning or a hardwood floor renovation, Dang Good offers professional cleaning solutions for every area of your home. As a specialty cleaning company in Calgary and surrounding areas, we’re award-winning, IICRC and QUADCA certified, BBB A+ accredited, and known for results that are, well… dang good!
Contact us at 403-984-3680 to book your cleaning or if you have questions!
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