Is it safe to pour apple cider vinegar down the sink?

Author: Golden Parker  |  Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2025

Vinegar is both safe and beneficial to pour down your drain.

Can I use apple cider vinegar to clean my sink?

Mix: Approx. 50g baking soda and 2 cups apple cider vinegar. Tip the baking soda down the sink hole followed by pouring in the apple cider vinegar -- it will fizz up (don't worry) and slowly work it way down the drain. Leave for 20-30 minutes before turing on the tap again.

Can I pour apple cider vinegar down?

Yes, you can dilute apple cider vinegar with more than a cup of water. In fact, many people recommend diluting it to reduce its acidity and protect your teeth and esophagus.

How to dispose of expired apple cider vinegar?

Disposing of such vinegar requires neutralizing its acidity first. Neutralize the vinegar by adding a base such as baking soda, and continue until the fizzing stops. This indicates that the vinegar has neutralized. Then, pour the resulting mixture down the drain and follow with plenty of water to ensure safety.

What kind of vinegar do you pour down the drain?

Pour a mixture of 1 cup vinegar (apple cider vinegar works best) and 1 cup boiling water down the drain. (Substitute lemon juice for vinegar for a great-smelling drain ? Plug the drain to keep the vinegar baking soda reaction below the drain surface. Flush the drain once more with 4 cups of boiling water.

Is it OK to pour white vinegar down the drain?

Is it OK to pour apple cider vinegar down the drain?

If you're looking for an all-natural technique of how to unclog sink drains, a DIY drain cleaner is the best option. Baking soda and apple cider vinegar make an effective combination for cleaning out drains. When the two substances come together, it creates a bubbling foam that scrubs away dirt and grime.

Does vinegar dissolve hair in drains?

If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar. The two ingredients will create a chemical reaction that's excellent at cleaning out clogs. Wait 15 minutes, then pour in very hot water to clear out the residual clogging agent and cleaner.

When should you throw out vinegar?

Though there's no expiration, there is a sort of "sweet spot" for vinegar storage, and it varies by the type. For wine vinegars, balsamic, and rice vinegar it's about 2-3 years, whereas apple cider vinegar is 5 years; and distilled white is, well, whenever the apocalypse is.

What happens to old apple cider vinegar?

While apple cider vinegar does not technically have an expiration date, it will lose its acidic nature over time. In fact, with enough time and oxygen exposure, raw vinegar “will eventually turn to water,” says Kirsten K. Shockey, author of Homebrewed Vinegar and cofounder of The Fermentation School.

Can apple cider vinegar go down the toilet?

Add 1 cup of baking soda to the bowl. Slowly pour in 1 cup of vinegar (white or apple cider) and the solution will begin to fizz. Let sit for 20 minutes, then flush down the toilet.. Check that the toilet is once again draining normally.

Can you let vinegar sit in the drain overnight?

It is safe to leave baking soda (and vinegar) to work overnight to unclog a drain. Always flush this mixture down with boiling water—no matter how long you leave it sitting in the drain.

How do you pour apple cider vinegar down drains for fruit flies?

Pour a 1/2 cup of salt, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and allow it to work its magic overnight. Follow up with boiling water the next morning. Repeat if necessary. Pour a half gallon of water and 1 cup of vinegar or bleach down the drain to sanitize.

Is vinegar safe for kitchen sink?

If you're looking to disinfect your kitchen sink, vinegar is also your answer. White vinegar can kill bacteria without presenting the same risks as chemical cleaners.

Can apple cider vinegar go bad?

Does Apple Cider Vinegar Go Bad? Because ACV is highly acidic, it stays safe to use for a very long time. But the taste and appearance can change over time, so it's best to use it within 2-3 years after you buy it. You don't have to refrigerate it once you open it.

Can I use apple cider vinegar to clean a faucet?

It's important that you use white vinegar and not apple cider or red wine vinegar when cleaning.

Can apple cider vinegar be used for cleaning?

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, making it an ideal choice for an all-purpose cleaner. Use equal parts apple cider vinegar and water to make a cleaner you can use in the bathroom and kitchen to clean drains and hard water stains, counters, the stovetop, microwave, and more.

Does apple cider vinegar lower blood pressure?

4. Apple cider vinegar will not control your high blood pressure. One popular myth is that ACV can be used for controlling blood pressure. In my research, high blood pressure, there's simply not enough data to support using ACV as a blood pressure medication.

What to do with expired apple cider?

Can apple cider go bad, or does apple cider expire? Well, it doesn't go bad in the sense that it's spoiled or expired and not safe for consumption. When unpasteurized apple cider is said to go bad, this means that it has started to ferment, and the sugars in it will eventually turn into alcohol.

Can you dispose of vinegar down the drain?

While it is very safe to pour vinegar down the drain, you should only do this in very sparing amounts. This means it will be fine on pipes made of pex, copper, steel, pvc and etc. The vinegar won't harm the plumbing system. But, you want to also use water after it so that it dilutes.

Is vinegar considered hazardous waste?

This chemical is considered nonhazardous according to GHS classifications for the Hazard Communication Standard.

When should you not use vinegar to clean?

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

Does apple cider vinegar unclog drains?

Homemade Drain Cleaner Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix together one cup of apple cider vinegar and one cup of baking soda and pour it down your drain. Let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing it with hot water. The combination of apple cider vinegar and baking soda will help break down any clogs and neutralize any odors.

What eats hair in a clogged drain?

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar is a very powerful combination that can help clear nasty hair clogs. Besides helping dissolve hair in your drain, baking soda also has disinfectant qualities that can fight fungi and bacteria.

What is the best homemade drain cleaner?

Baking Soda + Vinegar
  • Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down drain.
  • Plug drain and let sit for one hour.
  • Then, pour a pot of boiling water down drain. Repeat if necessary.

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