Can you mix oxiclean with vinegar?

Author: Letha Farrell IV  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Don't mix OxiClean with vinegar. Mixing OxiClean and vinegar is not safe. OxiClean breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, which forms peracetic acid when combined with vinegar.

What happens if I mix OxiClean and vinegar?

Never mix OxiClean and vinegar. OxiClean breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, and mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar creates peracetic acid, which can be toxic. What is this? Peracetic acid is corrosive and can irritate your eyes, mouth, nose, and throat.

What happens if you mix vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Neutralization: Vinegar is acidic, while most laundry detergents are alkaline. When mixed, they can neutralize each other, potentially diminishing the cleaning power of the detergent.

What should you not mix with vinegar cleaning?

For safe cleaning, it is advisable to avoid mixing vinegar with any products containing bleach or ammonia. If you are using vinegar alone with chlorinated tap water, it should be safe, but be cautious about the concentration of chlorine in the water.

What not to use OxiClean on?

OxiClean™ MaxForce™ is not designed to be used on dry clean only fabrics and should not be used on wool or silk items.

Oxiclean and Vinegar

Is OxiClean just baking soda?

OxiClean contains several ingredients, but the important one for boosting and brightening laundry is sodium percarbonate — basically, dry hydrogen peroxide plus washing soda (also called sodium carbonate, which is very similar to but not exactly baking soda).

Does OxiClean work on old stains?

Have you left your favorite shirt “out to dry” (pun intended) after accidentally spilling wine on it during a night on the town? With OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover, you can get rid of those old, set-in stains and get that shirt back into your rotation.

When not to use vinegar in laundry?

Vinegar should not be used in laundry when washing clothing with elastic, or when other cleaning ingredients like bleach, ammonia, or baking soda are present.

Where should you not clean with vinegar?

But eight places you should never use vinegar include:
  • Stone Countertops. Surfaces that often get ruined by vinegar are stone countertops, like marble and travertine. ...
  • Dishwashers/Washing Machines. ...
  • Clothes Iron. ...
  • Tile Grout. ...
  • Knives. ...
  • Small Appliances. ...
  • Hardwood Floors. ...
  • Electronic Screens.

What is the disadvantage of vinegar in cleaning?

Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.

Can you mix Dawn and vinegar?

This match made in heaven has been a household staple for a long time and I make sure to keep it handy. To make the solution is simple and easy on the wallet! Pour equal parts of vinegar and Dawn into a spray bottle. Gently shake, then spray liberally onto the surface to be cleaned.

Where to put vinegar in a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

What do baking soda and vinegar do?

Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over five litres of gas!

What happens when you mix vinegar with laundry detergent?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Can you mix Dawn and oxyclean?

Yes, you can add detergent to the load as well as oxyclean and it will boost the performance of your favorite kind.

Do you use OxiClean alone or with detergent?

OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover should not be mixed with Chlorine bleach or household chemicals other than in the wash with your regular laundry detergent. To fully optimize the stain removing abilities of OxiClean™ we recommend adding to the wash water in the drum not the bleach dispenser.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

What should vinegar not be mixed with?

There are certain substances you should never mix with vinegar, including bleach and ammonia, because these combinations will produce chlorine gas and toxic vapors, says Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist and associate professor at the Loma Linda University School of Public Health.

Will vinegar damage a toilet bowl?

Using this method regularly can help keep your toilet clean and hygienic. Additionally, you should use bleach or other cleaning products for tougher stains or odors. However, it's important not to leave the vinegar in the toilet overnight as it can damage the porcelain and reduce its lifespan.

Can white vinegar damage a washing machine?

Washing Machines

“With continual use, vinegar can literally melt hoses, causing leaks and thereby possibly all kinds of additional damage to the house,” Grayson says. In his experience, front-load washers are especially susceptible to vinegar-related damage.

How to get white laundry white again?

Use white vinegar:

Vinegar is also a great alternative to chlorine bleach. Add half a cup of white vinegar to your white laundry. This can remove the grey or yellow hues from your white clothes and restore their original color.

Do you need to rinse OxiClean?

Spray down the inside of your bathtub or shower area. Then, sprinkle a few spoonfuls of OxiClean powder onto a damp sponge and scrub the entire surface of the tub or shower. Finally, rinse the surfaces with hot water.

What is the best stain remover for old stubborn stains?

Strong Contenders
  • Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover.
  • Grove Co. Stain Remover Spray.
  • Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber.
  • HEX Performance Stain & Stink Remover.
  • Ingredients Matter Stain Stick.

Does OxiClean make clothes white again?

No matter the severity, OxiClean™ White Revive™ can help remove stains on white clothes and other laundry items so they look fresh and are ready to be worn again! From sweaty workout gear and dingy socks to sheets, White Revive™ combats stains to whiten laundry items that have yellowed and get them white again.

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