We prefer distilled white vinegar as our cleaning condiment of choice because it doesn't have any coloring agents that might stain surfaces (Stay away from balsamic or red vinegar). We also like white vinegar because it only has about 5 percent acidity, so it's on-par with other common cleaning products.
“Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to help with odor removal. If the stain is old and the odor is strong, mix a solution of cool water and add two cups white distilled vinegar. Completely submerge the fabric and allow it to soak overnight,” she says.
You can always dilute it with less water for a tougher job, or for more sensitive surfaces you may want to dilute it with more water and on some surfaces you can use straight undiluted vinegar.
Distilled vinegar, being the milder variation, is more suitable for cooking, flavouring, food additives and food preservation. Additionally, it can be used as a household remedy. For instance, it is an effective way to cure or prevent athlete's foot and warts.
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.
Acetic Acid Makes the Difference in Vinegar for Cleaning
That extra 1 percent of acid in undiluted cleaning vinegar amplifies its power and makes it 20 percent stronger than white vinegar. So, while cleaning vinegar has a stronger concentration for cleaning, it also means one should never consume cleaning vinegar.
DIY Vinegar Cleaner Recipe
In a 16-ounce glass spray bottle combine 8 ounces of distilled white vinegar and 8 ounces of water. Optional: Add a few long strips of lemon zest and/or a handful of fresh rosemary sprigs, or 5 to 10 drops of lavender or lemongrass essential oil.
If your countertops or shower are made of natural stone—marble, granite, limestone, or travertine—you may risk damaging them when cleaning with vinegar. "White vinegar, which contains acetic acid, can etch and damage these surfaces due to its acidic nature," says Sokolowski.
To remove stains with vinegar via pre-treating, you can dilute the vinegar with water (vinegar 1:3 Water) or soak in undiluted vinegar and allow garments to soak between 15-30 mins or even overnight depending on the stubbornness of the stain.
The acetic acid in vinegar acts as a disinfectant and reacts with the baking soda to lift stains. This combination is also great for brightening whites.
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.
If you've found that regular laundry detergent isn't doing the trick when it comes to cleaning your clothes, we have a solution: white vinegar. This unassuming product is a powerhouse when it comes it all it can do.
Astonish White Vinegar combines the power of traditional white vinegar with the uplifting aromas of Gardenia & Vanilla. Ideal for use as a rinse aid, to clean glass, surfaces, mirrors, remove odours, stains and limescale.
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.
"Due to its higher concentration, cleaning vinegar does not meet food-quality standards and is for cleaning only." Also, it's not uncommon to find that commercial cleaning vinegars might have added chemicals to supercharge their cleaning power, while regular white vinegar won't have any additives.
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.
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.
Dab a sponge or cloth into clear distilled malt vinegar and blot on the stained area. Repeat until marks are gone.
Keeping a spray bottle filled with diluted vinegar (1:1 ratio with warm water) around is the best favor you can do for yourself. Whenever you need to clean up food residue, sauce splashes, coffee drips, smoothie schmears, condiment gunk and the like, your trusty vinegar spray will do the trick.