The answer is that vinegar will not harm your pipes if used in small doses as recommended in many of the recipes that you find online. No matter what your pipes are made of, pex, pvc, copper, etc. Vinegar will not harm your water pipes.
While harmless for most metal and PVC pipes, prolonged exposure to the acidic nature of vinegar might corrode certain metals, like copper. PVC pipes, on the other hand, can withstand these substances without damage.
Pour about 1 cup of white vinegar into the drain, let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, and then rinse with hot water. For more stubborn clogs, using the baking soda and vinegar mixture is advisable.
“Faucets with black, bronze, or gold-colored coatings and finishes may get damaged or discolored by the vinegar's acidity. Vinegar also has a strong odor, though it's not toxic. However, if you're cleaning with it, it's always a good idea to ventilate the space.
In summary, while baking soda and vinegar are generally safe for most plumbing systems when used occasionally and in moderate amounts, caution should be exercised, especially with older or less durable pipes. For persistent clogs or plumbing issues, it may be best to consult a professional plumber.
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.
Heat 2 or 4 liters of water on your stove or in a kettle to just short of boiling. Add about 1/2 cup of salt. Try pouring this down the drain, then wait 15 minutes before seeing if it will clear more easily. If you need a stronger cleaning, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then add 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Cleaning a faucet with vinegar
The vinegar helps break up the calcium and mineral deposits on the faucet. Let the faucet sit submerged in the vinegar overnight. In the morning, remove the bag, take a toothbrush and dip it in baking soda to remove any excess filth. Finally, rinse the faucet.
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.
The only real side effect from leaving vinegar to its own devices is that its acidity will gradually decrease over time, making it less potent. This is why a "best by" date can be found on the bottle, but it's still perfectly fine long past that — it isn't an "expiration date," by any means. Vinegar does not expire.
Cleaning vinegar and white distilled vinegar are very similar in their composition (namely, acetic acid and water), but the key difference lies in the acidity levels between the two. "Cleaning vinegar generally contains a higher acetic acid concentration than regular white vinegar," says Sokolowski.
You can use straight or a diluted vinegar cleaning solution for the bathroom to clean bacteria, especially around the toilet. Cleaning with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the bathroom can work really well. To clean your toilet with vinegar, pour a cup of vinegar in the toilet bowl and let sit overnight.
This can help prevent clog-causing buildup on the interior surface of pipes. Or you can pour one cup of vinegar down the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes, followed by a rinse with two quarts of very hot water. Before putting dirty dishes, pots or pans in the dishwasher, scrape them well and rinse with cold water.
Drain Line Material
Chlorine bleach can quickly eat away at not only the line but the glue and cement joining the line to the fittings and the condensation pan. If your drain line is PVC, stick to white distilled vinegar for clearing clogs and debris, particularly during winter.
The plastic and glass surfaces on most small kitchen appliances, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters, are safe to clean with vinegar, but you want to avoid any rubber parts or metal that vinegar can corrode. This includes stainless steel.
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.
Fortunately, vinegar is an excellent natural remedy for dissolving limescale buildup and is safe for household use. To clean black taps using vinegar, mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a bowl. Soak a cloth in the solution and scrub the taps gently.
Pour white vinegar into a plastic bag. Secure the plastic band around the shower head using an elastic band. Leave the bag on the shower head over night. Remove the bag in the morning and then rinse over the shower head.
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
Daily Wiping: Give the stovetop a quick wipe with a damp cloth to remove spills and splatters and prevent buildup. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Stick to gentle, non-abrasive cleaners like dish soap, baking soda, and vinegar to avoid damaging the surface.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Wait five minutes or so, for the chemical reaction of the vinegar and baking soda to take effect, then chase that with a cup or more of boiling water.
To make a drain snake, all you need is a wire coat hanger that you can unwind and straighten. Bend the end of the wire into a hook shape and insert it into the drain. Move it around until you feel resistance and then pull out any hair or debris that may be blocking the drain.