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When mixed at a 1:1 ratio with water, vinegar can become a powerful and eco-friendly cleaning solution that can be used all over your home. With the help of several cleaning experts, we’ll cover how to make your own vinegar cleaning solution, along with how you can start cleaning with vinegar around your home. We’ll also touch on materials and surfaces that shouldn’t be cleaned with vinegar, so you can tidy up safely and efficiently.
How do you make a vinegar cleaning solution?
Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar cleaner on surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom, and other parts of your home before wiping it away with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Steps
What Not to Clean with Vinegar
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Granite, marble, ceramics, and stone According to Stocker, using vinegar “on marble or stone counters and floors will etch them permanently,” so you definitely don’t want to use it on those surfaces. Vinegar can also make granite look less vibrant, and can degrade ceramic finish and any surrounding grout.[16]- Look for specialty cleaners labeled as safe for stone, marble, granite, and ceramic surfaces.
Wood floors and surfaces “Contrary to popular belief,” Stocker says, “vinegar can be very bad for hardwood floors,” as it can “eat the finish and damage the wood.” Always use a hardwood-safe cleaner when tackling your wood floors (or any other wooden surfaces).[17]
Kitchen knives Stick with dish soap and warm water whenever you clean your kitchen knives. Unfortunately, vinegar can degrade the surface and edges of your cutlery, which you definitely don’t want.[18]- 4Rubber Vinegar breaks down rubber pretty easily, and isn’t a good cleaning option for any items or appliances made with rubber parts, like washing machines. If you’re cleaning something like a blender or coffee machine, only use vinegar to clean the glass/plastic portions—not the rubber components.[19]
Expert Q&A
- QuestionWhat kills the smell of vinegar?
Susan StockerSusan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
Green Cleaning ExpertI'd recommend putting a glass full of coffee grounds on a counter to absorb the smell. The best way is to stop the smell before you use it, though. You can do this by cutting the smell with some lemon or orange added to the vinegar. - QuestionHow do you make a cleaning solution with baking soda?Susan StockerSusan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
Green Cleaning ExpertI don't really recommend this mix as a cleaning solution. Since vinegar is acidic and baking soda is basic, if you mix them, you'll get water and sodium acetate, which can explode when stored in a bottle. Mixing the two also releases carbon dioxide gas, which can be harmful to you. - QuestionWhat is the ratio of vinegar to water for cleaning?
Kadi DuludeKadi Dulude is a House Cleaning Professional and the Owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City-based cleaning company. Kadi has over 10 years of experience and manages a team of over 90 registered cleaning professionals. Her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.
House Cleaning ProfessionalTo clean floors or other surfaces, you can use 50/50 vinegar and water solution.
Tips
- A vinegar-water mixture may not cut if you’re trying to clean up a greasy mess.[20] Instead, try using 1 c (240 mL) of distilled white vinegar, 1 tbsp (17g) of baking soda, and 1-2 drops of liquid soap to make a natural degreaser.[21]Thanks
- If you’re dealing with mold spores, cleaning expert Ilya Ornatov recommends “soaking the area in a solution of 2 c (470 mL) vinegar to 1 c (240 mL) water for 30 minutes. Then, wipe clean.”Thanks
Tips from our Readers 
- Vinegar can also soften clothes naturally, but be mindful of how often you use it in your wash loads. Using vinegar too frequently can damage the rubber components of your washing machine.
Warnings
- If you recently cleaned a surface with bleach, do not clean over it with vinegar. This can create chlorine gas, which is extremely toxic.[22]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/reliable-scientific-tips-cleaning-with-vinegar
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-an-allnatural-cleaner-for-your-kitchen-counters-projects-from-the-kitchn-213066
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-an-allnatural-cleaner-for-your-kitchen-counters-projects-from-the-kitchn-213066
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-an-allnatural-cleaner-for-your-kitchen-counters-projects-from-the-kitchn-213066
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-distilled-white-vinegar-a3336471803/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-the-inside-of-your-fridge-in-30-minutes-or-less-202073
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-a-microwave-281474979530474/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cleaning-with-vinegar-36834842
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-distilled-white-vinegar-a3336471803/
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cleaning-with-vinegar-36834842
- ↑ https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cleaning-with-vinegar-36834842
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-homemade-carpet-cleaning-remedies-577474
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-homemade-carpet-cleaning-remedies-577474
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-distilled-white-vinegar-a3336471803/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-things-you-should-never-ever-clean-with-vinegar-73031
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-distilled-white-vinegar-a3336471803/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-things-you-should-never-ever-clean-with-vinegar-73031
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-distilled-white-vinegar-a3336471803/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/cleaning/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-distilled-white-vinegar-a3336471803/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-a-natural-kitchen-degreaser-229641
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/things-you-should-never-clean-with-vinegar-7485238
About This Article
The acidity in vinegar makes it a great non-toxic cleaner that can be used all around your home. You can use straight vinegar to clean toilet bowls, chrome surfaces, and your showerhead and door. Use equal parts vinegar and water to clean faucets, windows, your refrigerator, countertops, and most other hard surfaces. Just spray or pour the solution onto the surface you’re cleaning, then wipe it up with a warm, damp cloth. To clean your floors with vinegar, make a weaker solution by mixing ½ cup (120 mL) of vinegar with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Then, dip a mop in the mixture and mop your floors with it. Let the floors air dry when you’re finished. You can also make a vinegar cleaning paste for things like carpet stains, grill grates, and tile surfaces. Just mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar, then apply it to the surface you’re cleaning. While it fizzes, use a sponge or brush to scrub the surface clean. Rinse with clean water when you’re finished. Whichever type of solution you make, avoid applying it to natural stone or wood since vinegar can damage these surfaces. If you want to learn how to make a vinegar scrub or paste for cleaning, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
"I've tried several of these cleaning mixture recipes, and they've been a huge success! In transitioning over to homemade, I've noticed my allergies have subsided hugely. I've since shared many of these mixtures with others. Thank you for this article!"..." more
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