Ask ACI: Cleaning with Vinegar

I've heard vinegar works well for cleaning. Should I ditch my cleaning products and just use vinegar?

No. There are times when vinegar can be helpful in cleaning but there are some things that should never be cleaned with vinegar.

When can vinegar be helpful in cleaning?

It can be helpful in laundry, like removing a blue stain caused by a detergent or counteracting the effects of washing in hard water. Our laundry problems and solutions page has more information. In cleaning, it also can help remove unpleasant odors, but may leave an odor of its own.

What can get damaged by cleaning with vinegar?

Always check the manufacturer instructions. Natural stone countertops like granite can be damaged by the acid in vinegar. Same goes for stone tile and hardwood floors and furniture.

Is vinegar a natural alternative to disinfectants?

Vinegar is not a disinfectant and will not be as effective as an EPA-registered disinfecting product. It will also not be as effective at removing mold as a product made for that purpose.