What do you use cleaning vinegar for

9 Eco-Friendly, Inexpensive, Multipurpose Uses

Multipurpose cleaners are convenient because they’re usable on many different surfaces. But while effective, some of these cleaners aren’t exactly healthy or environmentally friendly.

Vinegar, on the other hand, is nontoxic and eco-friendly, making it the ultimate multipurpose cleaning solution. And the best part, it’s super cheap.

Keep reading to learn what types of vinegar to use, along with nine ways vinegar can be used to clean and disinfect your home.

You probably have a bottle of vinegar sitting in your cupboard right now. But like so many, you might only use vinegar as a salad dressing or as a marinade for vegetables, meat, poultry, or fish.

Made from acetic acid

Vinegar isn’t only useful for cooking, though. It also makes a great cleaner and disinfectant because it’s made from acetic acid.

Acetic acid is a colorless organic compound that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. It’s also an ingredient in some store-bought household cleaners.

The acidic nature of vinegar is so powerful it can dissolve mineral deposit, dirt, grease, and grime. It’s also strong enough to kill bacteria.

Different types of vinegar include:

apple cider vinegar
white distilled vinegar
balsamic vinegar
red or white wine vinegar

Best type of vinegar to use

White distilled vinegar is the best vinegar for cleaning because it doesn’t contain a coloring agent. Therefore, it won’t stain surfaces. Staining can happen when cleaning with a darker-colored vinegar.

Plus, distilled white vinegar has about 5 percent acidity, which is also similar to the acidity level in many everyday multipurpose cleaners.

About that vinegar smell

The strong odor of white vinegar can be unpleasant, in which case you can use apple cider vinegar instead.

It has the same cleaning properties as white distilled vinegar, but since it’s made by fermenting apple juice, it also has a slightly sweet scent.

Apple cider vinegar is darker in color, so dilute it in water before using it as a cleaning agent.

If you’re using vinegar as a cleaner, the scent may linger for about an hour or so. However, this might be a small price to pay for a cleaner that’s nontoxic, natural, and environmentally friendly.

You can mask the smell by adding a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil, to a spray bottle containing a vinegar water solution.

Or, open a window and let some fresh air in to help remove the scent quicker.

Here’s a look at a few common uses for vinegar around the home.

Use vinegar to make your own glass cleaner. Combine one part water with two parts vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on glass surfaces and wipe clean for a streak-free finish.

Because vinegar is a natural disinfectant, it can clean and disinfect countertops after food preparation. For tough stains, add a few drops of Dawn soap to one-part water and two parts vinegar.

Vinegar can also remove odors from countertops, but it shouldn’t be used on granite or marble. Use a natural stone cleaner instead. The acid in vinegar can diminish the luster of natural stone.

Vinegar can also deter ants that may scour countertops at night in search of food scraps.

Combine 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt to remove calcium deposits on faucets and fixtures. This solution can also remove hard water stains from showerheads.

To get rid of stubborn stains, spray fixtures and faucets with vinegar and then tie a bag around it overnight. Scrub and rinse the next morning.

Thick soap scum and mildew can be challenging to remove. Spray undiluted white vinegar over tub and shower walls. Let the vinegar sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse away.

Or, combine baking soda and vinegar to create a paste and scrub away tough grime.

Pour 2 to 3 cups of undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for up to 3 hours. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush. This helps eliminate rings around the bowl and deodorizes the toilet.

Vinegar also makes a great floor cleaner, but only on certain types of floors.

You shouldn’t use vinegar on hardwood floors because it can dissolve the finish and leave watermarks. The natural acid in vinegar can also damage natural stone floors.

You can, however, use vinegar on no-wax linoleum.

Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1/2 gallon of water. To clean ceramic tile, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water.

To break through soap scum in a dishwasher, add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse compartment and let the dishwasher run for an entire cycle.

To eliminate odors in your microwave, place a bowl containing a 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water inside the microwave and heat for a couple of minutes. This solution can also loosen any stubborn stains.

Vinegar is also great for cleaning the inside and outside of appliances, including stainless steel. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray down appliances.

Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away the solution. Don’t use abrasive pads, which can scratch the surface of appliances.

Distilled white vinegar is also a great choice for removing fabric odor and stains. Don’t use dark vinegar or you might stain your clothes. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.

But while vinegar is a great household cleaner, can it help your internal digestive system?

Vinegar — or more specifically apple cider vinegar — has been touted as a natural remedy for digestive issues, although there aren’t any rigorous studies or science to back up these claims.

May relieve bloating

It’s possible, though, that apple cider can improve digestive issues, considering how it may increase the acidity level in the stomach.

This can help relieve symptoms like bloating, which is sometimes due to low stomach acid.

May combat acid reflux

Apple cider vinegar may also help combat acid reflux.

One belief is that the vinegar can balance pH levels in the stomach, which not only helps neutralize stomach acid, but also prevents an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gut.

This may help reduce gut inflammation.

May flush toxins from the body

Another purported benefit of apple cider vinegar is its ability to flush toxins out of the body. Some people use it as a natural detoxifier, as well as a remedy for constipation and a weight loss aid.

Dilute with water and drink only 1 glass per day

The only way to know whether apple cider vinegar can improve your digestive health is to try it and then see how you feel. Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water and drink.

Use organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and only drink one glass per day.

It’s normal to have some sediment floating. This is called the mother. Too much apple cider vinegar can damage your tooth enamel.

Vinegar isn’t only for cooking. It’s also an eco-friendly and inexpensive household cleaner. And in most cases, you only need to mix vinegar with water.

Although, you can add salt and baking soda to create a more abrasive cleaner or a few drops of essential oil for a lighter scent.

What Cleaning Vinegar Is and How to Use It

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 08/01/22

Reviewed by

Rhea Mehta

Reviewed by Rhea Mehta

Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning healthcare innovator and toxicologist who for the past decade has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching.

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Fact checked by

Elizabeth Maclennan

Fact checked by Elizabeth Maclennan

Elizabeth MacLennan is a fact checker and editor with a background in earth sciences and sustainability. Elizabeth holds an M.S. from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

OlgaMiltsova / Getty Images

When you visit a grocery store, you'll discover a wide variety of vinegars on the condiments aisle—balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, and distilled white vinegar. All of these add brightness and acidity to recipes. Many of us also use vinegar for laundry and cleaning around the house; however, for true cleaning vinegar, you'll need to head to the cleaning products aisle or a hardware store.

What Is Cleaning Vinegar?

The only difference between cleaning vinegar and distilled white vinegar is the level of acidity. They are both made through a process where alcohols are distilled from grain and allowed to ferment as microorganisms process the alcohol into acetic acid and water or vinegar.

The distilled white vinegar you see in the condiment aisle contains around five percent acetic acid and 95 percent water. Cleaning vinegar contains around six percent acetic acid. That doesn't sound like much of a difference, but cleaning vinegar is 20 percent stronger than white distilled vinegar for tackling cleaning chores.

While you can use distilled white vinegar for cleaning, do not use cleaning vinegar for salad dressings or making pickles. The product may contain impurities that are not approved for consumption and the level of acidity is too strong to be tasty.

Warning

If you are purchasing cleaning vinegar at a hardware or large home improvement store, do not confuse it with industrial vinegar. This product is used by professional landscape crews to kill weeds. Industrial vinegar contains up to 20 percent acetic acid and is dangerous for indoor cleaning because of the fumes and because it can permanently damage surfaces.

Why Use Cleaning Vinegar?

Cleaning vinegar is less toxic to the environment and less expensive than many commercial cleaning products. It is highly effective at removing odors and whitening whites in laundry, cutting through tough grime like soap scum, and unclogging sink drains.

With cleaning vinegar, you can make your own cleaning products by diluting it with water or adding some dishwashing liquid and clean nearly every surface around your home.

How to Use Cleaning Vinegar for Laundry

Cleaning vinegar will help remove tough odors like mildew, urine, cooking odors, and sweat from washable clothes. For a large load of clothes, add just 1/2 cup to the final rinse cycle. Adjust the amount if you are doing a small load of laundry.
For white, 100 percent cotton items, cleaning vinegar can be used to help remove ground-in soil and brighten the fabrics. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and then remove it from the heat. Add 1 cup of cleaning vinegar and the white socks, underwear, or towels. Let the items soak overnight and rinse well.

How to Use Cleaning Vinegar for Cleaning

To remove soap scum from ceramic tile, clean porcelain surfaces (tubs and toilets), and dirt from painted woodwork, fill a spray bottle with one part cleaning vinegar, one part dishwashing liquid, and two parts water. Spray onto dirty surfaces and allow to sit for five minutes to begin cutting through the grime and then scrub with a nylon-bristled brush or wipe away with a microfiber cloth.

Tip

When working with cleaning vinegar, wear rubber gloves. The strong acetic acid can cause irritation to skin and nails.

To unclog slow-running drains, pour at least one quart of boiling water down the drain. In a medium bowl, combine one cup of hot water, one cup of baking soda, and one cup of cleaning vinegar (Warning: there will be fizzing!). Pour the vinegar mixture down the drain and let it work for at least 10 minutes. Finish by flushing the drain with another quart of boiling water.
For cleaning windows and glass, mix equal parts cleaning vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

When Not to Use Cleaning Vinegar

Do not use cleaning vinegar or any type of acid to clean marble, granite, limestone, or any natural stone countertop or floor.
Do not use cleaning vinegar to clean cast iron or aluminum pans or surfaces. It can pit the metal.
Do not clean knives with cleaning vinegar. It can cause pitting on the thin stainless steel edges. If used at full strength, it can even pit stainless steel appliances.
Do not use on finished or waxed wood surfaces. It can remove the finish.
Do not use cleaning vinegar, even in a diluted form, on electronic screens like televisions and laptops. The acid can damage the anti-glare properties.

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Feldstein, Stephanie. Chemical Burn From Vinegar Following an Internet-Based Protocol for Self-Removal of Navi. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, vol. 8, no. 6, 2015, pp. 50.

Do's and Don'ts of Cleaning with Vinegar

March 9 Life

Check this list before you start cleaning.

You can listen to a short version of the article. If it's more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

Can be cleaned with vinegar

1. Windows

To make your own window cleaner, dilute half a tablespoon of vinegar in a liter of water (regular table 6 or 9 percent will do). Pour some into a spray bottle. Wash the glass as usual, and finally wipe it with a dry cloth. There is no need to rinse this mixture.

2. Dishwasher

Vinegar will help remove accumulated dirt and grease. Pour two cups of vinegar into a large glass bowl and place on the top rack. Run a normal cycle, but without detergent and without drying. The vinegar will mix with the water and clean the car.

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3. Towels

If the towels become hard, put them in the washing machine and pour half a cup of white vinegar into the powder compartment - do not add the powder itself. Vinegar will remove detergent residue and mineral deposits from the fabric that make it rough.

4. Carpets

To remove stains from carpets such as wine, mix a tablespoon of liquid soap, a tablespoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water. Dampen a clean sponge in the mixture and apply a little at a time to the stain, blotting occasionally with a dry cloth. Continue the process until the stain is gone.

Vinegar can also remove stains and odors from pet urine. Mix a quarter cup of vinegar with a liter of warm water and wet the stain with the mixture. Leave for a few minutes to absorb the liquid and then pat dry. Repeat as needed.

5. Vegetables and fruits from the supermarket

Vinegar will help remove bacteria and pesticide residues used in stores to extend their shelf life. Mix three parts water with one part vinegar and pour into a spray bottle. Treat vegetables and fruits with this mixture, and then rinse in water.

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there.

Do not clean with vinegar

1. Granite and marble countertops

Vinegar can damage the surface of the stone. To clean these countertops, use a mild dish detergent and warm water.

2. Stone floors

They can also be damaged by acid cleaners like vinegar and lemon. Wash these floors with special stone soap or mild dishwashing detergent.

3. Broken Egg Remains

If you drop a raw egg on the floor, don't reach for the vinegar to collect the egg white. The acid in the vinegar can cause the egg to curdle and make it harder to peel. It is because of the protein reaction that vinegar is added when poached eggs are boiled.

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4. Iron

Vinegar can damage internal parts, so don't pour it into the water container in an attempt to clean the iron. To prevent clogging of the steam holes, empty the iron after use and clean according to the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Hardwood parquet

Better play it safe and use a special cleaner. If you really want to try vinegar for cleaning, be sure to dilute it with water (half a glass of vinegar per four liters of water) and first check in an inconspicuous area.

6. Stubborn stains on fabric

No matter how hard you try, stains from grass, ink, ice cream or blood cannot be removed with vinegar alone. They are quickly absorbed into the fabric and do not react to acid. It is better to treat them with a stain remover, and then wash them with a powder that contains enzymes.

Vinegar: The All-Purpose Chemical-Free Home Cleaner You Should Know About

7/12/2022 from acetic acid

The best type of vinegar for use

On this smell of vinegar

1. Cup

2. Harringers

3. Mixers

4. Bulberries and baths

5. Toilets

6. floors

7 . Dishwasher.

8. household appliances

9. laundry

Can vinegar improve digestion?

May relieve bloating
May fight acid reflux
May detoxify the body
Dilute with water and drink only 1 glass per day.

Conclusion

Multipurpose cleaners are convenient because they can be used on a variety of surfaces. But despite their effectiveness, some of these cleaners are not entirely safe for health or the environment.

Vinegar, on the other hand, is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, making it an ideal all-purpose cleaner. And the best part is, it's super cheap.

Read on to find out which types of vinegar to use and nine ways to use vinegar to clean and disinfect your home.

Benefits of Vinegar as a Household Cleaner

You probably have a bottle of vinegar in your closet right now. But like many others, you can only use vinegar as a salad dressing or as a marinade for vegetables, meat, poultry, or fish.

Made from acetic acid

However, vinegar is not only useful for cooking. It is also an excellent cleaner and disinfectant because it is made from acetic acid.

Acetic acid is a colorless organic compound that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent odor. It is also found in some commercial household cleaners.

The acidic nature of vinegar is so strong that it can dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grease and soot. It is also strong enough to kill bacteria.

Various types of vinegar include:

apple cider vinegar
distilled white vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Red or White Wine Vinegar

Best Type of Vinegar to Use

Distilled White Vinegar is the best vinegar for cleaning as it does not contain dyes. Therefore, it does not stain surfaces. When cleaning with darker colored vinegar, stains may appear.

In addition, distilled white vinegar has an acidity of about 5 percent, which is also similar to the acidity level of many everyday multipurpose cleaners.

About this vinegar smell

The strong smell of white vinegar can be unpleasant, in which case apple cider vinegar can be used instead.

It has the same cleansing properties as white distilled vinegar, but because it is made by fermenting apple juice, it also has a slightly sweet smell.

Apple cider vinegar is a darker color so dilute it with water before using as a cleaner.

If you use vinegar as a cleaning agent, the smell may linger for an hour or so. However, this may be a small price to pay for a cleaner that is non-toxic, natural, and environmentally friendly.

You can mask the smell by adding a few drops of an essential oil such as lemon, lavender or peppermint to an aqueous vinegar spray bottle.

Or open a window and let in some fresh air to remove the odor faster.

Here are some common uses for vinegar at home.

1. Glass

Use vinegar to make your own glass cleaner. Mix one part water with two parts vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the glass surfaces and wipe them down so that there are no streaks on the surface.

2. Countertops

Because vinegar is a natural disinfectant, it can clean and disinfect countertops after cooking. For stubborn stains, add a few drops of Dawn soap to one part water and two parts vinegar.

Vinegar can also remove odors from countertops, but should not be used on granite or marble. Instead, use a natural stone cleaner. The acid in vinegar can reduce the shine of natural stone.

Vinegar can also scare away ants that will scour countertops at night looking for leftover food.

3. Faucets

Mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt to remove calcium deposits from faucets and fittings. This solution can also remove hard water stains from shower heads.

To get rid of stubborn stains, spray fixtures and faucets with vinegar, then tie them in a bag overnight. Scrub and wash off the next morning.

4. Showers and bathtubs

Thick soap suds and mold are difficult to remove. Spray undiluted white vinegar on the walls of the tub and shower. Leave the vinegar on for a few minutes, then rub and rinse.

Or mix baking soda and vinegar to create a paste and remove stubborn dirt.

5. Toilets

Pour 2-3 cups of undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl and let sit for 3 hours. Scrub with a toilet brush and rinse. This helps eliminate rings around the toilet and deodorizes the toilet.

6. Floors

Vinegar is also great for cleaning floors, but only on certain types of floors.

You should not use vinegar on wood floors because it can dissolve the finish and leave watermarks. The natural acid in vinegar can also damage natural stone floors.

However, you can use vinegar on linoleum without wax.

Add 1/2 cup vinegar to 1/2 gallon water. To clean ceramic tiles, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water.

7. Dishwasher.

To get rid of soap scum in the dishwasher, add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse compartment and let the dishwasher run through the entire cycle.

8. household appliances

To remove odors from the microwave, place a bowl of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in the microwave and heat for a few minutes. This solution can also loosen any stubborn stains.

Vinegar is also great for cleaning the inside and outside of appliances, including stainless steel. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray your appliances.

Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe off the solution. Do not use abrasive sponges that may scratch the surface of the instruments.

9. Laundry

Distilled white vinegar is also an excellent fabric and stain remover. Don't use dark vinegar or you might stain your clothes. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.

Can vinegar improve digestion?

But while vinegar is a great household cleaner, can it help your internal digestive system?

Vinegar - or more specifically, apple cider vinegar - is touted as a natural remedy for digestive problems, although there is no rigorous research or scientific evidence to support these claims.

May relieve bloating

However, it is possible that apple cider may improve digestion given how it can increase stomach acid levels.

This may help relieve symptoms such as bloating, which are sometimes caused by low stomach acid.

May help with acid reflux

Apple cider vinegar may also help with acid reflux.

One of the beliefs is that vinegar can balance the pH level in the stomach, which not only helps to neutralize stomach acid, but also prevents the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the intestines.

This may help reduce intestinal inflammation.

May detoxify the body

Another purported benefit of apple cider vinegar is its ability to detoxify the body. Some people use it as a natural detoxifier, as well as a remedy for constipation and weight loss.

Dilute with water and drink only 1 glass per day.

The only way to know if apple cider vinegar can improve your digestion is to try it and then see how you feel. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water and drink.

Use organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar and drink only one glass a day.

It is normal for sediment to float a little. It's called mother.