7 Genius Ways To Use Vinegar Around Your Garage (& 4 To Avoid)

Vinegar is versatile and non-toxic, making it useful for various household areas — including your garage. It can be tricky to clean garage spaces with their repertoire of tools, vehicles, and other miscellaneous items made of various materials. Vinegar can be a safe option for cleaning steel and certain finishes, especially when diluted with water and applied with a soft cloth. However, while it's effective for many applications, there are some times when you should take an alternative approach.

Below are seven ways to use vinegar around your garage, as well as four methods to avoid. A household strength 5% acetic acid solution of distilled white vinegar is strong enough to be effectively used on stubborn issues like rust and mold, but there are specific instances where it causes unfavorable chemical reactions and can damage finishes. Fortunately, vinegar isn't the only non-toxic option, and there are other household items you can use to clean stained garage floors, grease marks, wooden workbench tops, etc. Read on to learn how you should and shouldn't use vinegar to clean and maintain this hardworking space in your home. 

Garage amenities must be heavy-duty to ensure they withstand rigorous work like repairs, home improvement tasks, and DIY projects. Therefore, workbench surfaces and drawers are often made of solid aluminum or steel to prevent damage from heavy falling objects, hammering, and strenuous use. Although solid metal alloys are blended to be incredibly durable, their elemental nature is naturally vulnerable to rust buildup. Unavoidable factors like oxygen and moisture interact with metal to form rust, or iron oxide, on its surface. Vinegar, which has a very low pH, and therefore highly acidic qualities, is exceptionally good at getting rid of surface-level rust because it triggers an acid base reaction when it comes into contact with iron oxide. The acetic acid reacts with the iron oxide molecules (which lose electrons), effectively loosening and breaking down the oxide layer so it can be wiped away and removed. 

Identify the metal and finish before you start. Frequent or prolonged exposure to vinegar can corrode stainless steel, so be sure to use a diluted solution, and don't leave it to soak on the surface unless you're tackling stubborn rust. If you know the brand behind your workbench and cabinetry, check that an acidic cleaning solution is approved by the manufacturer. Once vinegar is confirmed safe to use, apply it to your surface and scrub with a soft microfiber cloth. You can also try adding cornstarch to the mix to provide grit that can help scrub away more stubborn buildup. 

Tackling other metal items besides workbenches? Do not apply vinegar to any steel surfaces in your garage that have a fingerprint-resistant finish, such as a bar fridge or deep freeze. Vinegar can damage these finishes and is generally not recommended as a cleaning agent by manufacturers.

Aluminum and steel alloys are also common materials in garage doors and garage door openers. They excel as garage door materials for the same reason they're used in heavy-duty workbenches: extreme durability. Garage doors serve as the barrier between your home and the outside world. They're constantly exposed to outdoor air, humidity, and rain, which causes oxidation on the metal surface. When you use vinegar to clean, the acetic acid dissolves the oxidized layer via the double displacement reaction we mentioned above to reveal the shiny metal finish underneath.

Consult the manufacturer behind your garage door before removing rust and corrosion with vinegar, as certain finishes and sealants can be damaged by acidic solutions. Once you have the go-ahead, start with a mild solution using one tablespoon of vinegar mixed with two cups of water. Use a cloth or non-abrasive pad to gently scrub the tarnish from the surface. If there's damage beyond surface-level rust, or whole sections of the door have corroded, take a more abrasive approach to stop it from spreading. Use medium-grit silicon carbide paper and steel wool to carefully scrub away as much rust or corrosion as you can. If the rust is still too stubborn to remove, reduce the water in your cleaning solution to make a stronger acid, or consult your manufacturer for recommended chemical cleaners to break it down.

Life finds a way and it's an unwelcome surprise when weeds shoot out from cracks in concrete floors and walls. If weeds are suddenly pushing their way into your garage, avoid harsh and toxic herbicides by using vinegar instead. The acetic acid in vinegar breaks the weeds' cell walls and causes cell death. When vinegar touches the leaves and stems of plants, it damages their foliage and dries them out. Vinegar-based herbicides often contain 20% to 30% acetic acid, among other ingredients. Distilled white vinegar products are a less intense version of this and are usually around 5% acetic acid. Since this is a far lower concentration, it may take multiple applications to fully stop weed growth.

Don't dilute the vinegar, and apply it multiple times until you start to see a noticeable deterioration in weed growth. Be careful if your intentional garden plants are nearby, because the vinegar does not discriminate and can be fatal for them too. Household vinegar isn't toxic due to its low concentration, but you should still wear gloves as an extra precaution to prevent skin irritation.

Keep in mind that vinegar works better on broadleaf weeds since it gathers and sits in the folds of their curved, wideset foliage. Grass-like weeds are long and narrow, so vinegar is more likely to slide down and into the soil before it can eat away at the cell walls. Perennial weeds may also be resistant to vinegar applications because they can regrow from the roots, even if the foliage has been destroyed. This trick is also more likely to work on young weed plants than older, established ones.

Ants often find their way into homes through cracks and gaps in the walls and foundation. You can use chemical pesticides or opt for a more natural remedy like vinegar. Acetic acid over 8% is classified as a pesticide by the EPA. Household vinegar falls below this range, at around 5% acetic acid content, but you can still try it for controlling ants. While vinegar won't kill or chase away ants, it can stop them from marching in those determined lines into your garage. The reason ants display this behavior is because they leave pheromone trails as they travel, signaling the way to other ants, who then follow them, effectively creating an ant highway. Vinegar's acidity and overpowering scent can disrupt these pheromone trails along which ants enter your garage via gaps in doors and windows.

While you can try applying vinegar proactively, this hack will probably work best after ants have already started invading your garage space. Why? Because vinegar (and the acetic acid it contains) evaporates quickly, so its real value isn't as a deterrent, but as a substance that can effectively clear those pheromone trails. Dilute the solution with an equal amount of water, especially if you're applying it around things you should never clean with vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is mostly considered safe to use on concrete, a common material for driveways and garage floors — but there is always a chance it could leave discoloration, so do a spot test to be safe in an inconspicuous area. Also, do not use vinegar on a polished concrete garage floor, as these may require pH-neutral cleaning products. 

Keep in mind that applying vinegar to ant trails won't eradicate them completely. It's only step one of a multi-part process to keep ants out of your garage and home. Acetic acid disrupts the ant trail, but doesn't target their colony. The ants will eventually forge a new trail into your space if you don't incorporate the best ways to weather-seal your garage door and close up gaps. Add weather stripping, threshold seals, and caulk around doors, windows, and cracked walls and floors to discourage ants from finding a new way inside.

Rusted tools can be tedious and time-consuming to clean with things like a wire brush and sandpaper. Soaking them in vinegar is an easy and effective way to remove the rust. As we outlined earlier, vinegar interacts with rust to remove oxidized buildup. When iron oxide (rust) is exposed to acetic acid, its alkaline qualities cause an acid base reaction. The vastly different pH levels neutralize, breaking down the rust and making it easier to remove it.

This method is straightforward. Fill a bucket or cup with distilled white vinegar and soak the tools in it for between 3 and 24 hours. If the rust has merely formed a thin layer (as opposed to scaly flakes), or you're dealing with a fine tool or one with a blade, you might want to restrict the soaking time to a couple of hours or less. While soaking, the clear vinegar should turn a rich orange color from the dissolving rust. Remove the tool and wipe it clean with a soft microfiber cloth and a stiff brush, if necessary. You can repeat the process as needed until the tool is fully clean. Just be careful not to let the acetic acid soak touch rubber handles on tools since you should avoid cleaning rubber with vinegar. 

Got a utility sink in your garage that's marred by hard water stains? Many households have issues with hard water. When water with a high mineral content runs through your plumbing fixtures, this can cause a white and scaly buildup on metal faucets and drains. The buildup is mostly calcium carbonate, which has a high pH level. The mineral deposits mix with mild detergents and soaps, which are also typically alkaline, to create a stubborn buildup that's challenging to remove. Applying vinegar's acidic properties to the mix causes a neutralizing chemical reaction that can help to dislodge and break down the mineral deposit.

Any kind of vinegar can be used; just be wary if you have an acrylic, enamel, porcelain, or smudge-free metal utility sink in your garage. These materials often have finishes that are easily damaged by acids. Soak a soft rag or Kimberly-Clark's Wypall Microfiber Cloths in a diluted vinegar solution with one part water and one part distilled white vinegar. If the hard water buildup isn't bad, you may be able to remove it in one try. If it doesn't come off easily, wrap the vinegar-and-water-soaked rag around your faucet or press it into your drain. Let the wrapped metal fixtures sit for an hour before trying again.

Garages aren't typically insulated like the rest of your home. During the warmer months, humidity and heat create an ideal environment for mold growth. Take care of this problem using vinegar's acetic acid, which impedes mold and mildew growth in the same way it disrupts ant trails and kills plants. The acetic acid releases hydrogen ions, which alters the pH around the mold spores. Acetic acid also breaks down nucleic acid bonds, which make up the DNA of mold spores. This helps to kill and eliminate mold, mildew, and other microbes, giving vinegar its antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities. It helps remove mold that's already present which can also stop new spores from reproducing and spreading.

There's only one step to this process. Put undiluted distilled white vinegar in a bottle and spray mold and mildew-covered surfaces. You should also spray around cardboard boxes, plumbing appliances, and parked vehicles, as these places are often dark and humid. Don't add water to the mix unless you're worried about damaging upholstery, or any specific metal and wood surfaces. Diluting the vinegar could diminish its effectiveness, but you might need to resort to this on sensitive surfaces. Repeat this process every few days, and you shouldn't have to worry about most fungal spores growing. The only other caveat is that vinegar only kills 82% of mold species, so it's not guaranteed to work in all situations.

Although it's great for removing buildup and debris that are more alkaline, vinegar is not a good cleaner for grease and oil spills. Cars, motorcycles, gas-powered lawn equipment, and gas-powered tools sometimes leak grease and oil, leaving a slippery puddle on your garage floor. Acetic acid and water (which is what makes up vinegar) are made of polar molecules, whereas grease is made of non-polar particles. The contrasting polarity makes grease insoluble in acids or water, therefore, the acidic nature of vinegar isn't enough to cut through it.

Instead of using vinegar, say goodbye to garage grease stains using a dishwasher tablet hack. In fact, you can use most alkaline detergents, since they emulsify and saponify greasy spills. They contain surfactants that reduce surface tension and allow water and detergent particles to permeate stubborn stains, ultimately making them easier to wipe up and clean. 

Garage countertops and workbenches are commonly made of wood. While vinegar is great for cleaning other surfaces, it's a no-go for wood. Vinegar can break down the protective layer on finished wood via its high acid content oxidizing urethane finishes or dissolving protective waxes. In simple terms, vinegar and wood furniture don't mix.

Turn to other cleaning solutions to preserve wood surfaces in your garage. If you're just cleaning up dry dust and dirt, use a microfiber rag to wipe it away without adding any moisture to the mix. If the tops of your cabinets are out of reach, use a tool like Swiffer's Heavy Duty Duster with an extended handle. If you need to clean up caked-on residue, use hardwood-specific cleaners like Orange Glo's Wood Furniture 2-in-1 Cleaner & Polish. This cleaner has a pH level of 9. Even though wood cleaners are designed specifically for the material, it's better to be safe than sorry — always test them in an inconspicuous area to ensure they don't discolor or damage the wood.

Gaskets are designed to connect two surfaces and prevent leaks. They're often made of rubber, a flexible but sturdy material. Due to rubber's composition, most manufacturers recommend against using vinegar to clean parts of appliances outfitted with rubber O-rings or gaskets. Appliance brand manager for Affresh, Jennifer Kaminski, told Better Homes & Gardens, "White vinegar is an acid that can break down the rubber gaskets and hoses," causing them to crack or weaken. When gaskets lose their integrity, so do your tools or vehicles. Dangerous leaks can occur and important pieces can break off, creating even more damage as a result.

The easiest way to avoid this mistake is to not use vinegar to clean rubber gaskets. Instead, use a non-acidic cleaning agent like mild dishwashing soap or detergent. However, you can use vinegar if your O-rings are made of a compatible rubber material. According to Marco Rubber, ethylene propylene, perfluoroelastomer, Viton Extreme, and Viton Type A rubber materials are more resilient to vinegar, and reportedly causes less than a 10% change in their composition.

One of the biggest headaches in winter is the buildup of ice and snow around your property. It's tedious to clean, but there are serious consequences if you skip this chore. One of the things that happen when you let unshoveled snow build up around your driveway and garage is that the sheer weight can crack concrete areas. Icy walkways can also pose significant slip risks. Many "household hack" round-ups claim vinegar works as a de-icer, but they fail to mention that the acetic acid in vinegar isn't effective for breaking down ice and snow that has already built up. In fact, the colder it gets outside, the less effective it is. Acetic acid keeps ice from re-freezing, but that is about the extent of its usefulness.

Instead of vinegar, use salt rocks, calcium chloride, manganese chloride, and potassium chloride. Determine which products are best suited for your property by checking out Michigan State University's chart that lists their effectiveness and impact on the surrounding environment. Although vinegar can prevent future snow buildup, these other options work much better. To prevent slippery surfaces, sprinkling wood chips or sand around your driveway and garage can provide more traction.