In general, vinegar is used to clean surfaces, whereas peroxide can be used to clean and disinfect. Vinegar is also less hazardous to children and pets. Peroxide is a more powerful cleaner than vinegar and can be used to remove more difficult stains.
Most of the time 5% vinegar is adequate for sanitizing most surfaces. Just remember to let it sit for five minutes. Hydrogen peroxide is a bit stronger -- good for cutting boards and other kitchen surfaces, as well as general household surfaces if someone has had a virus.
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.
Disadvantages of Hydrogen Peroxide
If standard hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with other molecules such as organics or soils that have not been cleaned prior to disinfecting, it may be less effective.
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.
This product should not be used to treat deep wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
Similar to Chlorine bleach, ammonia can be substituted for hydrogen peroxide for a more sustainable cleaning solution. But another eco-friendly yet just as effective alternative is enzyme cleaners.
Hydrogen peroxide is not an effective treatment because it actually irritates the skin and inhibits wound healing.
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.
If you want to kill the most germs possible, let it sit until the oxygen has all fizzled out. There is not a huge amount of oxygen available in a 3% solution, so it can take time to work. You do not need to rinse after cleaning with Peroxide, since what's left behind is water.
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.
If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, use distilled white or cleaning vinegar. Distilled white vinegar's acidity slowly breaks down and kills mold but does so much slower than cleaning vinegar.
In general, vinegar is used to clean surfaces, whereas peroxide can be used to clean and disinfect. Vinegar is also less hazardous to children and pets. Peroxide is a more powerful cleaner than vinegar and can be used to remove more difficult stains.
Hydrogen peroxide + Vinegar = peracetic/ peroxyacetic acid. This combination can be highly corrosive.
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).
Higher exposures may cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. ► Exposure to Hydrogen Peroxide can cause headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
Peroxide can damage any material damaged by oxygen. If you look around, that is almost anything that is not an oxide. Many rocks, to a first approximation, are metals that have been oxidized.
Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water and 1/2 cup cleaning vinegar. Use a sponge or microfiber mop, wringing well to prevent over-wetting the floor. Rinse the mop head often. There's no need to rinse the floor; the solution will not leave residue or streaks.
Like hand soap, dish soap does not kill bacteria, but it lifts them off surfaces to be washed away by water. Dishes should be washed and scrubbed in soapy water, rinsed with water and finally soaked in water containing germ-killing sanitizers before drying them off.