Did you know that there are many different types of vinegar? Despite this, the most common type found in homes is apple cider and white distilled vinegar. Others include balsamic, wine, cane, rice, malt, and coconut vinegar.
While all types of vinegar are good for complementing various cuisines, they are also great for cleaning. But, what type of vinegar is good for cleaning, and how does it work?
White vinegar is the most effective natural cleaner for cleaning surfaces in your home. But you may also have noticed that many stores sell products with the label “Cleaning Vinegar.”
So what is cleaning vinegar? Well, this is a product specially produced for tackling dusty, grimy, and dirty jobs at home. Cleaning vinegar and white vinegar are different. The difference comes in the acidity levels in each solution.
White vinegar has 95% water and 5% acetic acid while cleaning vinegar has 6% acetic acid and 94% water. The one percent difference makes it more effective for cleaning.
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Is apple cider vinegar a disinfectant?
Although apple cider vinegar has some disinfectant properties, it is not an effective solution for killing some types of viruses.
Its acidity, which is about 6%, makes it a useful household cleaner because it can shine surfaces and dissolve soap scum. But it is not powerful enough to disinfect surfaces.
How white vinegar works in cleaning surfaces
When cleaning a surface, the infused acetic acid in white vinegar chemically changes the fats and proteins that form viruses and bacteria.
By changing their chemical composition, it helps to weaken, kill, and destroy their cell structures.
Another white vinegar cleaning property is that the acid cuts through grime, grease, eliminates sticky residue on surfaces, and dissolves soap scum.
How to use white vinegar to clean
If you want to use white vinegar for cleaning surfaces, follow the directions below:
- Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of laundry or dish soap
- Add two cups of water to dilute the mixture
- Pour the solution in a spray bottle
- Spray the mixture on areas you want to clean
- Use a sponge to scrub the surfaces
If you are thinking of cleaning the bathroom with vinegar, mix one cup of white vinegar with two liters of warm water. Use the solution to mop your bathroom floors or countertops.
Benefits of cleaning with white vinegar
Some of the benefits of cleaning with vinegar include:
- It is inexpensive
- Offers a natural cleaning solution
- Acts tough on bacteria, dirt, and mildew
White vinegar is also safe to use at home around children and pets. Besides, it can also be used to get rid of pet odor as well as cooking odors.
What to clean using white vinegar
You can use white vinegar to clean different items or surfaces. These include:
- Towels
- Dishwashers
- Carpets
- Windows
- Paint stains
- Blinds
- Microwave
- Bathrooms
- Toilet bowl
Although you can use distilled vinegar for cleaning various items and surfaces in your home, you should not use it to clean things like hardwood floors, clothes, iron, marble, granite, soapstone, and egg messes. The acid will not react well with some of these things.
Picked the right type of vinegar?
If you were wondering what type of vinegar is good for cleaning, then white vinegar is the best for use to clean surfaces in your home.
As a household cleaner, you can use it to clean things like towels, dishwashers, carpets, bathrooms, and windows.
But because of its acidic content, it is not the best for cleaning hardwood floors, marble, and granite countertops.