Bottle of white vinegar
Home - Garden
Types Of Vinegar You Shouldn't Use For Cleaning
By SAKSHI KHAITAN
Gloved hands holding a spray bottle with vinegar and a yellow cloth
Vinegar is a versatile cleaning tool that is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and cheap. However, with vinegar’s many varieties, it can be challenging to choose the ideal one for cleaning.
Apples and apple cider vinegar next to measuring cup and spray bottle
Produced by fermenting apple juice, apple cider vinegar can be used for cleaning windows, toilets, and other surfaces, but it might leave stains behind.
A hand pouring balsamic vinegar onto a spoon
Balsamic vinegar contains 6% to 7% acetic acid, and although it can be used for cleaning, its characteristic brown color usually stains the surface.
White wine vinegar being poured into a cup
White wine vinegar is about 5% acidic but only suitable for gentle cleaning tasks. Rice vinegar can be used for cleaning, but it's milder, so it's not suitable for deep cleaning.
A bottle of vinegar next to cleaning supplies
Cleaning vinegar is 94% water and 6% acetic acid and is a good solution for deep cleaning your home, but it has a potent smell and might be too harsh on some surfaces.
A woman holding a spray bottle
Alternatively, industrial vinegar, as the name suggests, is more suited for industrial cleaning than for the home, since they're the most potent.
A hand pouring vinegar on a surface for cleaning
The best choice for cleaning is distilled white vinegar, which can easily be combined with other powerful cleaning agents like baking soda to clean almost every room in the home.