Don't Clean These Surfaces With Apple Cider Vinegar (Try This Alternative Instead)

Vinegar is one of the most popular natural cleaning ingredients out there, and since one of its only downsides is its strong smell, many people turn to apple cider vinegar instead. However, vinegar's high acidity makes it unsafe for some surfaces, including wood, marble, certain metals, and electronics, and apple cider vinegar is no exception. Plus, it can cause staining. Depending on the item, you can turn to baking soda, dish soap, or rubbing alcohol instead.

That said, vinegar is such an effective cleaner because of its acidity, which comes from acetic acid that has a low pH level and is able to cut through oils and dirt and kill germs. Apple cider vinegar typically contains between 5% and 6% acetic acid, making it more acidic or about the same as white vinegar, depending on the brand. It's popular for cleaning floors, windows, kitchens, bathrooms, and more. But there are some common ways to clean with apple cider vinegar that you should avoid if you don't want to risk damage. Here's what to know.

When cleaning, apple cider vinegar requires the same caution as other types of vinegar — its acidity can cause issues on some surfaces, including porous materials like wood or stone. On wood, ACV can ruin the wax or finish, or it can soak into unsealed wood and cause swelling and cracking. It's best to avoid using vinegar on hardwood floors as well. On granite, marble, and other types of stoneware or stone tiles, vinegar's acidity may cause dulling, etching, pits, or corrosion.

Apple cider vinegar also has an additional risk that white vinegar doesn't: staining. Its high concentration of tannins can cause staining on fabrics or light surfaces, so it's not a good idea to put ACV in your laundry. You also shouldn't use apple cider vinegar to clean your washing machine as the acidity could damage the rubber components of the washer or dryer.

Lastly, avoid using apple cider vinegar on metals like aluminum, copper, cast iron, or stainless steel, as it can cause corrosion and promote rust and pitting. It may also damage or remove protective coatings. Similarly, don't use undiluted ACV to clean electronics such as phones, computers, or TVs.

If staining rather than acidity is your concern, white vinegar is the best type for cleaning. You can substitute white vinegar for apple cider vinegar as a laundry pre-treatment or to clean or deodorize fabrics. However, for many of the situations described above, white vinegar isn't the safest bet either. Instead, you can swap out ingredients like baking soda, rubbing alcohol, or soap.

To clean marble or granite, mix water, rubbing alcohol, and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. To clean wood floors or furniture, use a neutral pH cleaner diluted with water. Examples of neutral pH wood cleaners include Mr. Clean and Fabuloso. You can also use diluted castile soap and warm water to scrub hardwood floors. Add your favorite essential oil to your DIY cleaners to improve the smell.

For cleaning metals like stainless steel or aluminum, use a gentle dish soap or a baking soda paste. Mild soap is also great for scrubbing and wiping down stoneware; baking soda is a safe choice as well since it's alkaline rather than acidic. When wiping electronics clean, you can use a cloth dampened with plain water or diluted dish soap.