Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar

Blossom Lady
Nov 17, 2020 02:52 AM
Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar

In most cases, vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner, but there are some things that you shouldn't clean with it. This natural cleaner can actually do some serious damage to appliances and other household items. Even though cleaning with vinegar is an affordable, eco-friendly, and relatively safe way to clean, there are still some surfaces and materials that can be damaged by vinegar. Save yourself from cleaning regrets—never clean these 9 things with vinegar.

Clothes Iron

Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Using vinegar to clean the inside of your iron can corrode the heating element and permanently damage the inside of the appliance. Most steam irons have a protective coating inside the chamber, but acid can gnaw away at that lining and then the metal parts are next. Your best bet is to read your iron’s manual and follow the cleaning recommendations and never use vinegar to clean it.
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Countertops or Other Granite and Marble Surfaces

Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
If you want to keep your stone countertops looking beautiful, don’t reach for vinegar. The acid etches and dulls natural stone such as granite, marble, and soapstone. It can make them lose their shine and cause pitting or scarring. Instead, wipe down these types of countertops with a sponge or dish towel dipped in mild detergent. Use only plastic scrub pads to remove stubborn spots.
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Dishwashers

Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
You may have heard that running a dishwasher with a bowl of vinegar in it will help get rid of hard water film and lingering odors. Some people even use vinegar as a rinse aid. However, the vinegar acidity can damage the rubber parts of the appliance and should be avoided on dishwashers with seals made from polyacrylate, fluorosilicone, and Buna-N. In case the vinegar sits on the surface of these types of seals for a long period of time, it can cause failure. Better try using a rinse aid that you’ll find at the store to get your dishes clean—it will prolong the life of the hoses and seals in your dishwasher.
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Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Electronic Screens
Vinegar’s great at leaving windows streak-free, but never use it on an electronic screen like that on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or TV. Vinegar can damage a screen's anti-glare properties and even make a touch screen less responsive. Instead, use a soft sponge or cloth dampened with plain ole water instead. For stubborn spots, try a solution of dish soap highly diluted with water, applied to the cloth and not to the screen itself.
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Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Knives
You want to keep vinegar away from metals. Tools with exposed edges, like kitchen knives, are especially vulnerable. Not only can vinegar damage the finish on knives, but it can also leave the knife’s edge pitted. Other common metals in the kitchen that you should keep away from vinegar include aluminum and copper. The best cleaning option is dishwashing liquid and warm water.
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Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Hardwood floors
This one varies depending on the finish of your floors. Diluted vinegar can dissolve the finish that protects the wood and leave it looking cloudy, dull, or scratched. (The same goes for wood furniture.) Follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations or pick a cleaner that’s made specifically for hardwood flooring.
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Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Egg spills
Cleaning egg messes with vinegar solution will cause the protein enzymes in the egg to coagulate and will make the stains even more impossible to clean up. So, if you drop one on the floor while cooking, it’s better to wipe them up with something else. Better use some soap and warm water instead.
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Stone Floors

Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
If you have natural stone tiles anywhere in your house, avoid cleaning them with vinegar, lemon, or ammonia. The acidity in the products etches and dulls the stone. To repair, it will require a very expensive re-polishing process.
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Waxed Furniture

Cleaning Hacks: 9 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Using vinegar to clean your waxed furniture will dissolve the wax and leave the surface looking dull. Use a wax cleaning solvent to maintain the surface of your furniture instead.
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2 comments
Ella Fouser
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Nov 19, 2020 06:45 AM

I just moved into a beautiful new house and thank goodness for all you knowledge 😊❤️

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Nov 27, 2020 03:55 AM

I just moved into a beautiful new house and thank goodness for all you knowledge 😊❤️

Hi, Ella! Thank you so much! ❤️And congratulations!