When it comes to cleaning your home naturally, vinegar is one of the most versatile and effective ingredients you can use. White distilled vinegar is the go-to variety for cleaning purposes, as it is inexpensive, easily accessible and has a high level of acidity, which gives it grease-cutting powers. But there are actually several different types of vinegar on the market that each have their own sets of properties. Here’s a look at the most common types of vinegar and how each one can be used for cleaning.
Distilled White Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar, which is sometimes also called white vinegar or spirit vinegar, is the most common type of vinegar used for household cleaning. It is made from the fermentation of distilled alcohol and has an acetic acid concentration of around 5-8%. The high acidity level gives white vinegar excellent cleaning and disinfecting abilities. Here are some of the top ways to use white vinegar for cleaning:
- Mix a solution of 1 part vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle and use it to clean countertops, windows, mirrors and other surfaces. The vinegar helps cut through grease and grime.
- Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing towels to help remove musty smells.
- Clean tile floors by mixing 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and mopping as usual.
- Remove soap scum buildup on bathroom surfaces by spraying full-strength vinegar and letting it sit for a few minutes before wiping away.
- Clean and disinfect cutting boards by wiping them down with a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part vinegar.
- Remove hard water stains on faucets and showerheads by soaking a cloth in vinegar and wrapping it around the affected areas. Leave it on for an hour.
White vinegar is inexpensive, readily available and highly effective for household cleaning. It’s a staple that every home should have on hand.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is made from apples that have been crushed, distilled and fermented. It has a milder aroma and flavor than white vinegar. While it is less acidic than white vinegar with a concentration of around 5% acetic acid, apple cider vinegar still works well for a variety of cleaning tasks:
- Clean windows and mirrors by mixing 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water. The vinegar helps remove streaks.
- Freshen up smelly sponges and dishcloths by soaking them in a bowl of apple cider vinegar for an hour.
- Add 1 cup apple cider vinegar to a load of laundry to help soften fabrics.
- Mop tile floors with a vinegar and water solution to help remove grease and grime.
- Spray a 50/50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water onto shower walls after use to prevent soap scum buildup.
- Remove stains from coffee and tea mugs by soaking in undiluted apple cider vinegar before washing.
Thanks to its pleasant aroma, apple cider vinegar is a good choice for cleaning when you want to avoid harsh chemical smells. It’s also very affordable and versatile.
White Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar is made from the fermentation of white wine into vinegar and has a lighter, more delicate flavor than other types of vinegar. It has around 6% to 7% acetic acid. Here are some cleaning uses for white wine vinegar:
- Shine up stainless steel appliances by mixing equal parts white wine vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The acid in the vinegar helps remove streaks.
- Clean soap scum off bathroom tiles by spraying with undiluted white wine vinegar and wiping off after a few minutes.
- Remove hard water deposits on faucets by soaking paper towels in white wine vinegar and wrapping the towels around the fixtures. Leave on for 1-2 hours.
- Mix 1 cup white wine vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and use the solution to mop wood floors. This helps remove grime without damaging the wood.
- Freshen up the dishwasher by running a cycle with 2 cups of white wine vinegar added to the detergent compartment.
- Clean the oven door window by spraying with a solution of equal parts white wine vinegar and water. Let sit briefly before wiping clean.
The bright flavor of white wine vinegar adds a touch of elegance to cleaning tasks. And it shines when used on stainless steel and glass surfaces.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar is made from fermented rice wine. There are different varieties including white, red and black rice vinegar. Rice vinegar has around 4-5% acetic acid content. Here are some effective ways to use rice vinegar for cleaning:
- Remove soap residue on glass shower doors by spraying them with full-strength rice vinegar and letting sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
- Mix 1 cup rice vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and use to wipe down cabinets and wood furniture. Helps remove grease and dirt.
- Spray a 50/50 solution of rice vinegar and water onto faucets and fixtures. Wipe with a cloth to make chrome and stainless steel shine.
- Clean windows and mirrors by mixing equal parts rice vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Helps remove streaks and residue.
- Pour 1/2 cup rice vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser during the rinse cycle to soften laundry and remove odors.
- Remove carpet stains by blotting the stain with a cloth soaked in undiluted rice vinegar.
Thanks to its mild aroma, rice vinegar is a good choice if you want to avoid the sour smell of vinegar when cleaning. It’s also safe for most surfaces.
Balsamic Vinegar
True balsamic vinegar is made from reduced grapes and aged in barrels, giving it a sweet, rich flavor. The vinegar contains around 6% acetic acid. There are also commercial balsamic vinegar varieties made with added sugar and coloring. Here are some ways to use balsamic vinegar for cleaning tasks:
- Create a metal cleaner by mixing equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Apply to copper, silver and brass with a soft cloth.
- Make a wood polish by mixing 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar with 3/4 cup olive oil. Use a soft cloth to apply a thin coat on wood furniture.
- Clean and shine terra cotta pots by wiping with a 50/50 mix of balsamic vinegar and water.
- Remove grease stains on concrete garage floors by pouring balsamic vinegar directly on the stain and scrubbing with a stiff brush.
- Sprinkle balsamic vinegar onto a wet sponge and use it to wipe down tile and stainless steel. Helps remove soap scum.
- Spray a balsamic vinegar and water solution onto shower walls to help prevent soap buildup.
Thanks to its thick texture and sweet flavor, balsamic vinegar works well for cleaning and polishing wood and metals. The flavor also makes it a nice choice for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
Malt Vinegar
Malt vinegar is made by fermenting malted barley. It has a distinctive toasty, robust flavor and contains around 5-8% acetic acid. Here are some cleaning applications for malt vinegar:
- Clean windows and glass by adding 1/4 cup malt vinegar to a bucket of water. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe surfaces.
- Freshen musty towels by adding 1/2 cup malt vinegar to the rinse cycle when washing.
- Mix equal parts malt vinegar and water in a spray bottle to use on shower walls and tile floors. Removes soap scum and hard water deposits.
- Remove carpet stains by blotting the affected area with an undiluted malt vinegar-soaked cloth.
- Clean and disinfect cutting boards by wiping with a solution of 1 part malt vinegar mixed with 2 parts water.
- Clean stainless steel kitchen sinks by scrubbing with full-strength malt vinegar and rinsing thoroughly after.
The robust flavor of malt vinegar makes it ideal for cutting through odors when cleaning fabrics, carpets and hard surfaces. It’s also very affordable.
Wine Vinegar
Wine vinegars like red wine, champagne and sherry vinegar are produced from wine and have an alcohol content around 5-7%. The flavor and aroma varies based on the type of wine used. Here are some cleaning uses for these vinegars:
- Remove soap scum from shower doors by spraying with undiluted wine vinegar. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping clean.
- Mix 1/4 cup wine vinegar with water and use to wipe down stainless steel appliances. Helps remove streaks.
- Clean tile floors by adding 1/2 cup wine vinegar to a bucket of warm water. Mop as usual.
- Freshen up the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup wine vinegar and letting run for a few minutes with hot water.
- Remove carpet stains by spraying wine vinegar directly on the affected area and blotting with a clean towel.
- Shine up chrome bathroom fixtures by wiping with a 50/50 solution of wine vinegar and water.
Thanks to their pleasant flavors, wine vinegars like red wine and champagne varieties are great for cleaning kitchens, bathrooms and other living spaces. They help eliminate odors too.
Cleaning Vinegar
Cleaning vinegar is a diluted form of white distilled vinegar that contains around 3-6% acetic acid. It is made for household cleaning uses. Here are some ways to use cleaning vinegar for cleaning:
- Clean windows by mixing 1 part cleaning vinegar with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Wipe with newspaper or a microfiber cloth.
- Remove soap residue from tile shower walls by spraying with full-strength cleaning vinegar and letting sit briefly before rinsing.
- Mix 1/2 cup cleaning vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and use to mop hardwood floors. Helps remove dullness.
- Freshen laundry by adding 1/4 cup cleaning vinegar to the wash cycle or rinse cycle.
- Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup cleaning vinegar with 1 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for 2 minutes then wipe clean.
- Remove hard water stains on bathroom fixtures by wiping with undiluted cleaning vinegar.
Cleaning vinegar is a great option for household cleaning when you want a less potent formula than regular white vinegar. It’s very affordable and available at most grocery stores.
Picking the Best Vinegar for Cleaning
While all vinegars can be used for cleaning, some types are better suited for certain tasks than others. Here are some tips for choosing the best vinegar variety for your cleaning needs:
- For general cleaning – Use distilled white vinegar or cleaning vinegar. Their high acidity cuts through grease and kills bacteria.
- For food preparation surfaces – Choose rice vinegar or cider vinegar. Their milder aromas are more pleasant on kitchen surfaces.
- For bathrooms – Opt for wine vinegars or cider vinegar. They help neutralize odors while cleaning.
- For shine – Use white wine or cider vinegars. Their acidity helps remove streaks from glass and stainless steel.
- For laundry – Pick cleaning vinegar or apple cider vinegar. They help freshen fabrics and neutralize odors.
- For floors – Stick with distilled or cleaning vinegar. They won’t damage floors like other vinegar varieties might.
Test vinegar-based cleaners in inconspicuous spots first to ensure they don’t damage surfaces. And never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia, as harmful fumes can result. With the right variety and some simple precautions, vinegar can tackle most household cleaning jobs effectively and naturally.
Other Questions
Is white vinegar safe for cleaning?
Yes, white vinegar is generally considered very safe for cleaning. It is made up primarily of acetic acid and water, which makes it non-toxic. White vinegar has antibacterial properties and can help clean and disinfect many household surfaces. However, vinegar is acidic so you should avoid using it on stone surfaces or hardwood floors, as it could damage certain materials. Always spot test in an inconspicuous area first.
What ratio of vinegar to water should be used for cleaning?
A common ratio for a basic vinegar cleaning solution is 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. However, you can adjust the strength as needed:
- For light cleaning: 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water
- For medium cleaning: 1 part vinegar to 1 part water
- For heavy cleaning: 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water
For things like windows and mirrors, a 1:1 ratio usually works well. For tough soap scum, you can use vinegar undiluted. Always spot test your cleaning solution first.
Does vinegar really disinfect as well as bleach?
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, but it does not kill germs and bacteria as quickly or effectively as bleach does. However, vinegar has the advantage of being non-toxic, eco-friendly and safe for many surfaces where bleach could damage. Vinegar also helps combat odors. While bleach is stronger, vinegar can be a good natural disinfecting option in many cases.
Can I clean my hardwood floors with vinegar?
It’s best to avoid using vinegar or other acids on finished hardwood floors. The acidity in vinegar could damage the finish over time. For unfinished wood, white distilled vinegar heavily diluted with water (at a ratio of 1:8) can be safely used to mop and clean. But any concentration of vinegar should be avoided on waxed or sealed hardwood.
Does vinegar actually kill mold?
Vinegar can help prevent mold growth, but it’s not very effective at killing active mold colonies. The acidity in vinegar mostly just inhibits mold spores from growing when used preventatively. To actually kill mold, bleach or hydrogen peroxide are more effective options. However, vinegar can help prevent mold from initially forming.
Conclusion
Vinegar is a versatile and affordable natural cleaning agent that can be used on many household surfaces and fabrics. White distilled vinegar or cleaning vinegar provide the highest acidity for cutting through grease and disinfecting. But fruit-based varieties like apple cider, wine and rice vinegar provide pleasant scents that make them great choices for kitchens and bathrooms. Test small surface spots before using any new vinegar cleaning solution to ensure it doesn’t damage the material.