No, they are fundamentally different. Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid, typically used for light cleaning tasks, while White Spirit is a stronger hydrocarbon-based solvent used for more demanding cleaning activities. Is White Spirit a Vinegar? White Spirit is not a vinegar.
Now, don't confuse distilled with basic white vinegar, which is stronger and has up to 25% acetic acid. That vinegar is sold exclusively for cleaning purposes and is not a good idea to ingest. However, beyond cooking, distilled white vinegar can be used for many of the same household chores.
Distilled White Vinegar - The Ultimate Cleaner
White vinegar, a simple and versatile liquid, has been used for centuries as a natural cleaner and tasty condiment. This humble household staple can do much more than add flavour to your dishes.
White spirit is used in paints, coatings, waxes, varnishes, adhesives, printing inks and liquid photocopier toners. In industry it is also used as a solvent for, cleaning, degreasing and substance extraction. In households, white spirit is commonly used to clean paint brushes or thin paint.
Can I Use Vinegar Instead of White Spirit? Vinegar can be used as an alternative for less intensive cleaning tasks like removing water-based stains, descaling, and general household cleaning, but it's not effective as a paint thinner or for heavy-duty degreasing like White Spirit.
White spirit alternative
As you may guess now that you're an expert in paint thinners, you can use white spirit, turpentine and methylated spirit pretty much interchangeably. All of them are alternatives to each other.
As a general rule, most natural cleaning experts suggest mixing one part vinegar to one part water. These recommendations typically rely on distilled white vinegar as the cleaning element. If homeowners are using cleaning vinegar, they may want to add a little more water to achieve a similar amount of acetic acid.
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.
Almost Indefinite Shelf Life
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.
White vinegar includes more water, and therefore a lower concentration of acetic acid, than cleaning vinegar. Both will work well as an antibacterial cleaner for household chores, with the more concentrated cleaning vinegar packing a greater acidic punch.
A Chemical-Free. Cleaning Revolution
White vinegar can dissolve limescale and grease and is a great alternative to stronger, harsher chemicals, however, as an acidic substance it isn't always suitable for all surfaces.
This is variously known as distilled spirit, "virgin" vinegar, or white vinegar, and is used in cooking, baking, meat preservation, and pickling, as well as for medicinal, laboratory, and cleaning purposes.
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.
Both distilled and white can be used in cooking, cleaning, food preservation, and for medical and laboratory purposes. However, since white is stronger than its counterpart, it is more suitable for cleaning and disinfecting.
It is not recommended to use vinegar in your washing machine. Because of its acidic nature, vinegar can corrode some parts of your washing machine over time, especially rubber elements.
In a spray bottle mix 1 part undiluted vinegar with 1 part water. If you are making it to use right away, warm water helps boost the effectiveness. As mentioned before, vinegar is a strong acid and it should be diluted for routine household cleaning. My spray is diluted with 50% water.
It is often used to clean brushes and other painting tools, as well as to remove paint, varnish, and other coatings from surfaces.
White spirit is known by various names including mineral turpentine, turpentine substitute, and petroleum spirit. The substance is mainly used as a paint thinner and extraction solvent.