"Vinegar is great for food stains and as a fabric softener, while hydrogen peroxide excels at tackling tougher stains and disinfecting," Pozniak said.
Hydrogen peroxide works differently than vinegar and is better at removing different types of stains. Hydrogen peroxide doesn't actually remove stains—it just makes them invisible! It breaks up strong chemical bonds in stains including ink, and in doing so it makes the stains colorless—but they're still there!
Bleach is only a surface mold killer. Hydrogen peroxide is quite good to kill mold, although it may not work well on all surfaces. Vinegar, which is very acid, gets down to the root of mold. A combo attack, not all applied at the same time, is a better course. The real issue is the spores. They float.
Is vinegar or hydrogen peroxide better for stains? Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide work differently to remove stains. Vinegar is more of a general stain remover. Hydrogen peroxide may have a slight bleaching effect on fabric so it's best to use it on white or light-colored items.
Mix Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide
Add 2 parts hydrogen peroxide (1 cup suggested). Add 1 part dishwashing liquid (1/2 cup suggested).
To remove a multitude of spots and stains on white clothes effectively, follow this guide: Pour some white vinegar straight onto the blotch. For deodorant marks or sweat stains, pour a tad white vinegar straight onto the spot. Now, rub the white vinegar deep into the stain gently.
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.
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.
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!
For a natural solution to getting rid of black mold, combine one part baking soda with five parts distilled white vinegar and five parts water in a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can use a chemical-based mold and mildew remover, all-purpose cleaners, bleach or dish soap.
If these chemicals are kept in a sealed container for a long time, it can cause a small explosion because the carbon dioxide will try to escape. So, while you can use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach on their own for cleaning purposes, we recommend that you avoid mixing them with vinegar.
Hydrogen peroxide kills mold effectively on materials such as clothing, floors, bathroom fixtures, walls and items such as kitchen appliances.
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. I have found the best results is when I use it to clean chrome shower and sink fixtures.
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).
Vinegar is a fermented product and has an “almost indefinite” shelf life according to the Vinegar Institute. “Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration. White distilled vinegar will remain virtually unchanged over an extended period of time.
Tools with exposed edges, like kitchen knives, are especially vulnerable to vinegar. Cleaning knives with vinegar can damage the finish and leave the edge pitted, says Frank Spinelli, head of appliance testing for CR. Other common metals in the kitchen that you should keep away from vinegar include aluminum and copper.
"The white cleaning vinegar is a pH of 2.5, which is a very strong acid," she explains. "And while it may eat away the gunk that is on the showerhead or faucet, it can also dissolve the finish from the hardware leaving it dull or a different color altogether."
There are many uses for vinegar in laundry, including stain removal, odor elimination, and mold and mildew eradication. Vinegar can also be used as an alternative to commercial fabric softeners.
A few ideas that can help treat fresh ink stains include: Vinegar and Baking Soda: Mix white vinegar and baking soda to create a paste, and apply to the stain. Let it sit before washing. Milk: Soak the stained area in milk (in a cup or bowl) for several hours.
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain remover, natural disinfectant, and whitening agent – all without leaving harmful residues behind. It's safe for most washable, dye-stable fabrics and works effectively when added to your regular wash cycle or as a pre-treatment solution.