It’s no secret that white vinegar is a powerful, powerful cleaner. The cost-effective and natural ingredient is capable of just about anything, including killing mould on contact, refreshing musty towels, cleaning tiled floors, dissolving soap scum on shower screens and banishing bad odours.
It is frequently mentioned as an ingredient in most tried-and-true homemade cleaning recipes alongside other powerhouse performers such as bi-carb soda, lemon juice, borax, hydrogen peroxide and eucalyptus oil.
But there are some things white vinegar just can’t do. That’s because it is mildly acidic. Vinegar’s acidic properties are its greatest strength, but also its greatest weakness. When used on the wrong surface, such as marble, it can wreak havoc and cause irreversible damage.
Here are some of the things around your home you should never clean with vinegar.
1. Marble countertops
Marble is a natural material that is rich in calcium carbonate, a chemical compound that is vulnerable to acids. Cleaning marble benchtops with vinegar could cause permanent etching or staining.
2. Your cast iron pan
The acidic part of vinegar will strip your pan of the all-so important seasoning that makes it naturally non-stick.
3. Kitchen knives
Vinegar can damage the finish of your kitchen knives so it’s better to clean them with warm water and washing up liquid.
4. The inside of your iron
Don’t use vinegar—it will simply erode its inner coating. to clean the inside of your iron. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
4. Spilt egg
Vinegar is the secret to perfect poached eggs for a reason; it helps to keep it together. Using vinegar to clean up eggs will only make things more difficult.
6. Floors
The acid in vinegar can damage stone, ceramic or hardwood floors, leaving them dull. Always read the care instructions for your type of floor.
7. Phone screen
Cleaning your phone is a task you should be completing daily. But avoid using vinegar to get the job done as it can remove the coating on the screen. Instead opt for a portable UV steriliser or a specially formulated anti-bacterial screen cleaning kit.
This also goes for other other types of electronic screens, including TV and computer screens.
8. Home appliances
You need to be careful when cleaning your home appliances with vinegar. Unfortunately, the rubber seals and hoses inside dishwashers and washing machines can be damaged by vinegar and lead to leaks.
9. Grout
While using vinegar on sealed grout is perfectly fine, you need to be careful if your grout is damaged and unsealed as it can cause it to erode further.
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