Nowadays the emphasis is on cleaning with common, natural and inexpensive household products. If you clean with something that you can put in your food, it can’t harm your household surfaces, right? Make sure to check out our 50 Uses for Vinegar!
WRONG!
While vinegar has many helpful uses around the home, there are a few places to avoid using this household staple.
1. Granite and Marble Countertops.
These substances, which seem to be strong enough to withstand any assault, are actually subject to etching by the acid in vinegar. Better to use a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.
2. Stone Floor Tiles.
As with granite and marble, stone tiles are also subject to etching with use of vinegar. Lemon and ammonia are not recommended either. You can use a special stone soap, or a mild dishwashing detergent with warm water.
3. Egg Stain or Spills.
Vinegar actually sets the egg, making it harder to remove.
4. Iron
Vinegar can damage the inside of your iron – follow manufacturer’s directions for cleaning both the inside and outside of your iron.
5. Hardwood Floors
This is still open to debate. Some people feel that a solution of vinegar diluted with water does a wonderful job of cleaning their hardwood floors, while others say vinegar has ruined their floors. It is best to use a cleaning product specifically made for hardwood floors, such as Bona.
6. Certain Types of Stains
Grass, ink, ice cream and blood stains require pre-treating with enzymes, then washing with a stain removal laundry detergent. Always use cold water, to avoid setting the stain. When in doubt, it’s best to investigate proper methods of cleaning BEFORE you act.
Check out our other DIY/Frugal Posts!
Homemade Flea & Tick Spray
DIY Baby Wipes
50 Uses for Vinegar
DIY Ice Melt (Safe For Pets)
Hydrogen Peroxide Miracle Cleaner
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Homemade Fabric Softener Crystals
Hydrogen Peroxide & Dawn Miracle Cleaner
DIY Homemade Window Cleaner
DIY Homemade Fabric Softener
DIY Homemade Febreeze Spray
DIY Foaming Hand Soap
How to Reuse Your Swiffer Wet Jet Bottle
How to Reuse Your Windex Touch-Up Pump
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Homemade Ice Pack
I can totally confirm that one should not use vinegar to clean egg spills! Learned that the hard way 🙂