Which of the following should never be cleaned using vinegar?

Author: Prof. Ferne Cronin  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

In addition to common household appliances and electronics, we'll reveal which surfaces should be avoided when cleaning with distilled white vinegar.
  • When to Avoid Cleaning With Vinegar. ...
  • Clothes Irons. ...
  • Countertops. ...
  • Dishwashers. ...
  • Electronic Screens. ...
  • Flooring. ...
  • Kitchen Knives. ...
  • Ranges.

What cannot be cleaned with vinegar?

  • Wood surfaces, including floors and furniture. ...
  • Stainless steel appliances. ...
  • Stone countertops. ...
  • Irons and garment steamers. ...
  • Grout. ...
  • Inside the washing machine — on the daily. ...
  • Electronic screens. ...
  • Egg stains or spills.

Why shouldn't you use vinegar to clean?

As you note, it does not disinfect. It cleans only marginally better than plain water. It is a food, and it attracts some bugs. Vinegar is a mild acid, and it will etch natural stone and mess up unsealed or even sealed wood. Vinegar will also corrode your washing machine / dishwasher parts and hoses.

What chemicals should you not mix with vinegar?

The following demonstrates the potential lethal effects of combining commonly found household cleaning products:
  • Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas. ...
  • Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine. ...
  • Bleach + Rubbing alcohol = Chloroform. ...
  • Hydrogen peroxide + Vinegar = peracetic/ peroxyacetic acid.

What chemicals react with vinegar?

Mixing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) causes a chemical reaction that produces a salt (sodium acetate) and water, as well as carbon dioxide gas. In this demonstration, baking soda is placed in a balloon that is attached to a flask holding vinegar. This creates a closed system.

9 Things You Should NEVER Clean With Vinegar

What not to take with vinegar?

Medications that may interact with apple cider vinegar include diabetes medications, digoxin, and laxatives.
  • Diabetes and Blood Sugar-Lowering Medications. ...
  • Digoxin. ...
  • Diuretics. ...
  • Stimulant Laxatives. ...
  • Herbs and Supplements That Contain Cardiac Glycosides. ...
  • Licorice Root. ...
  • Horsetail.

Can bacteria grow in vinegar?

Some species produce pigments on solid growth medium and can produce different types of polysaccharides. These bacteria are found in substrates containing sugar and/or ethanol, such as fruit juices, wine, cider, beer, and vinegar.

Can I clean gold with vinegar?

And, while vinegar can technically clean gold, it can also harm gems and strip gold plating, so it is best to avoid using it on jewelry. Additionally, because gold is soft, be wary of things that could knick or scratch it.

Will vinegar sanitize laundry?

White Vinegar

To use vinegar to disinfect your laundry, try adding 1 cup to the rinse cycle. Not only can it kill germs and bacteria, but it's also a great natural deodorizer. White vinegar can be used on colors and whites, keeping clothes bright, and works as an effective fabric softener, too.

Why you shouldn't use vinegar in laundry?

Using vinegar in the wash shouldn't be an everyday thing for every load. Using it daily can damage the washing machine, especially the rubber parts, and repeated use could damage delicate fabrics. Limit use to an as-needed basis, after clothes have dulled or as residue begins to build up.

Will vinegar damage a chrome faucet?

Vinegar is often recommended for cleaning hard water deposits on chrome bathroom fixtures, but this advice can be misleading. While it can dissolve mineral buildup, its acidic nature poses a risk to chrome finishes. Prolonged exposure to this solution can lead to the acid eating away at the finish.

Do you have to rinse after cleaning with vinegar?

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.

What shouldn't you use white vinegar on?

If you want to keep your stone countertops looking beautiful, don't reach for vinegar. The acid etches and dulls natural stone such as marble and limestone. It can slowly dissolve them, according to Beckman. With other durable stones, such as granite, vinegar can break down any sealers that have been applied.

Does vinegar damage countertops?

Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch. You can tell that your granite countertops have begun to etch by seeing a small ring or some sign of a watermark.

Can I use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Does real gold fade in vinegar?

Vinegar is very destructive, so when you apply the vinegar to a fake piece of gold, the vinegar will cause the jewelry to tarnish. Gold is a non-reactive metal, so real pieces of gold will not react to vinegar.

Can I clean a diamond ring with vinegar?

White vinegar is another great option as well, and your pieces can be soaked in the solution to remove debris.

What is the best homemade jewelry cleaner?

Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.

Is E coli killed by vinegar?

also showed that vinegar (acetic acid) led to a complete reduction of L. monocytogenes and killed a high number of E. coli and S. aureus [39].

Does vinegar clean floors?

Create a mopping solution of ½ cup of vinegar and one gallon of warm water. Proper dilution is important, since vinegar's acidic, abrasive properties can have a stronger effect on some materials than others—tile being one of those. When mopping, less is more; make sure to wring out your mop thoroughly after each dip.

What organ is apple cider vinegar good for?

Claim: It promotes gut health

Apple cider vinegar contains natural probiotics because it is a fermented product, Wohlford said. Probiotic-rich foods boost the amount of healthy bacteria found in our gastrointestinal tract and have been linked to immunity, brain health and more.

Can I leave apple cider vinegar on my face overnight?

Since the ingredient is not acidic, it will leave your skin feeling extremely gentle. The key is to apply apple cider vinegar in small amounts throughout your face. Once you apply this treatment, let it sit on your skin overnight. By the time you wake up in the morning, your skin will be clear, smooth, and vibrant.

Why does vinegar stop leg cramps?

Acetic acid is postulated to mitigate cramping by decreasing alpha motor neuron activity through oropharyngeal stimulation and inhibitory neurotransmitter production, while aiding in the role acetylcholine plays in muscle contraction and relaxation.

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