This various cleanup staple has point of accumulation , so it ’s crucial to learn what not to clean with vinegar .
Distilled snowy vinegar is a versatile cleaning staple that can be used for a miscellanea of jobs , fromwashing windowsto remove salt stains from brake shoe . But multipurpose does not equal all - purpose , and when it issue forth to cleaning , there are some common household items and materials that can be damage when exposed to vinegar . In accession , when mixed with other cleaning agents , notably chlorine bleach , the acid in acetum can create toxic chemical reaction .
While vinegar is an inexpensive , non-poisonous , and readily useable cleaning agentive role , it ’s not a one - size - fits - all solution to every cleansing problem . Ahead , hear what not to clean with vinegar to avoid potential equipment casualty .
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1. Anything That Contains Chlorine Bleach
When chlorine blanching agent is motley with acetum , it results in a chemic reaction that creates toxic chlorine gaseous state . While this rule is a bit of an outlier , it is the most of import one — which is why we ’re commit it first .
Never ruffle Cl blanching agent , or home cleaning intersection that contain atomic number 17 bleaching agent , with vinegar , ever , under any fate .
Jacob Fox
Credit:Jacob Fox
2. Marble, Granite, and Other Natural Stone Surfaces
Avoid using white vinegar for cleaning marble , granite , and othernatural stone , like ticket . This include countertops , floors , and shower wall with Harlan Fisk Stone goal , and home goods like tabletops or serve pieces . The pane in vinegar can make pitting in born Edward Durell Stone .
3. Grout
Unsealed or damage grout should not be cleaned with vinegar , which can engrave or wear grout forth over meter , causing it to deteriorate . varnish groutcanbe cleanedwith acetum , but it ’s best to annul it in favour of non - acidic cleaner to quash weakening it .
4. Stainless Steel
When it comes tocleaning stainless steelknives , cookware , and household widget , it ’s best to skip vinegar in favour of a non - acidulous cleansing agent . Prolonged pic to the acids in vinegar can cause pitting on stainless sword .
5. Waxed or Unfinished Wood
Cleaning waxed or bare woodwith full - forcefulness cleansing vinegar can cause discoloration and should be avoided . Instead , use diluted acetum , or prefer for a non - acidic cleaning agent that is safe to use on wood .
6. Cast Iron
quash using white acetum for cleaning cast smoothing iron because it can eat away at the protective level of harden that gives cast iron cooking utensil its non - stick Earth’s surface . With prolong pic , distil lily-white acetum can make pitting in thecast ironitself .
7. Electronics
The sieve on televisions , mobile headphone , reckoner monitor , and other electronics should never be cleaned with acetum or with home cleanup merchandise that control vinegar , as it will damage the anti - glare coating .
8. Rubber Gaskets and Hoses
Prolonged or repeated vulnerability to vinegar can cause rubber parts like gaskets and hoses to decay . go over the manufacturer ’s instruction beforecleaning family applianceslike wash machine , refrigerators , or dishwashers with vinegar to be sure that the type of rubber used in those machines can be safely exposed to vinegar .
9. Clothes Iron
A clothes iron is another example of a home item that may or may not be good to clean with acetum , depending on its fabrication . Before using vinegar todescale an iron , check the substance abuser ’s manual of arms to be sure it will not cause irreparable harm to the metal components .
10. Pet Messes
acetum is not ideal forcleaning up pet messes , especially on flaccid surface like carpeting , upholstered furniture , or mattresses . According to the Humane Society of the United States , the use of vinegar on pet stack is not recommended because " potent chemical odors may further your positron emission tomography to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area . " or else , use anenzyme - base clean agentto address pet plenty .
Frequently Asked Questions
Vinegar is completely secure to employ when cleaning a toilet . It wo n’t have any damage to the cooler , the bowling ball , or the inner components .
If you ’re using vinegar to make clean floors or habiliment , you do n’t need to rinse . However , if you ’re using vinegar to strip containers or tea kettle that you ’ll be eating and drinking from , you may rinse with some extra water supply . You might also want to rinse tubs and sink after cleaning with acetum to get rid of the smell .
Vinegar and dish soap are ordinarily combined and used as a cleaning factor . This is entirely secure , and considered an eco - friendly alternative to coarse chemical cleaning products .
Credit:Jacob Fox
