Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Dos and Don’ts when cleaning with Vinegar

Vinegar can be a great cleaner because it’s eco friendly and cheap. It is an amazing nontoxic and natural alternative to chemicals, but keep in mind that its effectiveness and safety depend on what you are trying to clean. 

Bacteria and viruses. Vinegar can kill some bacteria and it can also have antifungal effects, but it is not good for everything. It all depends on how long the vinegar solution is in contact with a surface. You need at least 5 minutes for bacteria and 30 minutes for viruses, so it may not be your best bet in these applications. 

Degreasing. Vinegar is great for degreasing surfaces like your stovetop, allowing you to clean more effectively. It also is good for removing calcium and other mineral deposits in and around your sink. Use a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water. 

Glass and appliances.  Vinegar is safe to use on windows and shower doors. Coffee makers and other brewing machines often clog up with mineral deposits, so run a mixture of vinegar and water through a brew cycle and follow at least 3 times with plain water. You can also use this diluted mixture to clean deposits around your sinks and faucets, or soak your shower head. If it’s not removable, spray undiluted vinegar on the head and use a toothbrush to scrub away the deposits. 

Clearing drains. Clean the kitchen drain and garbage disposal with vinegar and baking soda. Toss 5 tablespoons down the drain or disposal and follow with a cup of undiluted vinegar. It will bubble rather violently but that just means it’s working! Rinse well with warm water. 

Places to never use vinegar:

Dishwashers and washing machines. While it’s a great descaler, vinegar can cause deterioration in the rubber gaskets and hoses over time. 

Granite, marble or any natural stone. Countertops made of these materials can be damaged by the acid in vinegar, and it will remove the sealant. 

Ceramic and wood. Ceramic tiles and anything made of wood like furniture or hardwood floors would also suffer sealant damage. 

Metal and cast iron. Metal can be etched or corroded by the acid in vinegar so it’s a no-no for pots and pans, especially cast iron. It will damage knife edges too. 

Electronics. Keep vinegar away from any electronic screen, be it TVs, phones or computers. It will damage the protective coating.

There are also safety measures one should take when using vinegar to clean, like any other product.

Best practices for using vinegar:

Never mix vinegar with anything but water. Do not use bleach or ammonia with vinegar, it will produce toxic vapors and chlorine gas that can be fatal! A good rule of thumb is to never mix any cleaning products with bleach and ammonia. 

Have good ventilation. Open your windows and use a fan. Keep anyone with CPOD or asthma away. 

So, when done right, vinegar is an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to clean many things around your home. But be careful! If you are in doubt, it’s best to not use it and follow your manufacturer’s recommendation for cleaning.  

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago