Is Vinegar Useful As A Household Disinfectant?

Do you already use vinegar for everything, including disinfecting? Be careful because it’s not as effective as you might think. In this article you will learn the dos and don’ts of vinegar as a disinfectant and cleaner in the household.

You’ve probably heard that vinegar is useful as a household disinfectant and not just an exceptional culinary addition. With this in mind, it has long been used to clean the kitchen, sink and other surfaces around the house.

As a cleaning agent, vinegar is very effective at eliminating unpleasant odors as well as removing dust and stubborn dirt. It is often mixed with other substances, such as baking soda, for an even more effective result.

However , one has to be very careful because just because vinegar cleans does not mean that it disinfects the surfaces it is used on at the same time.

Below we will look at when we can use vinegar to disinfect and when it is better to go for a traditional disinfectant.

Can vinegar be used as a home disinfectant?

Yes and no. Although cleaning and disinfection may seem synonymous, there is a difference between the two terms. Cleaning products remove dirt, deposits and certain germs from a surface.

Disinfectants, on the other hand, kill or neutralize harmful bacteria, viruses and germs. With that clarification, we can call vinegar an excellent natural detergent. Because it contains 5% acetic acid, which is more than enough when it comes to removing dirt, dust and grease residues.

Vinegar isn’t a great disinfectant because its uses are quite limited in this regard. For example, it only works against certain types of harmful microorganisms such as E. coli and salmonella . We present two case studies that show that vinegar is able to eliminate these.

1. Toothbrush disinfection

This is one of the most common uses for vinegar in the home. Some comparative studies confirm that vinegar works better at disinfecting toothbrushes than triclosan, a type of mouthwash.

The test consisted of immersing the brushes in both liquids separately for two minutes and then determining which bacteria were successfully killed in each case.

It is important to note that vinegar’s effectiveness is only limited to Echerichia coli bacteria. However, he was unable to completely neutralize the other types of bacteria that were in the brushes.

2. Disinfection of vegetables

Research has shown that dipping lettuce leaves in a vinegar solution reduces the presence of E. coli bacteria. In addition, it does not change the texture or taste of the leaves. However, its properties as a disinfectant are limited for this purpose and so the researchers do not recommend it.

What are the best disinfectants?

Disinfectants should be able to kill 99.9% of harmful germs within 5 to 10 minutes of use. In addition, these types of products usually contain substances such as ethanol (ethyl alcohol), isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide, phenolic compounds, and bleach or hypochlorite.

The products are available in the form of sprays, liquids, tablets, gels or wet wipes. When choosing the product, it is important to check the label and make sure it contains some of these substances.

Is vinegar suitable for cleaning?

It definitely is. Although it is a limited-use disinfectant, it is an excellent natural and environmentally friendly product that makes cleaning the house easier for us. We can use it to clean windows, surfaces, washbasins and sinks, pipes, the kitchen, appliances and showers, among other things.

However, the acid it contains is not recommended for every surface as it can damage waxed wood, granite, marble, cast iron and aluminum. Next, we’ll share some of the ways you can use vinegar as a cleaning agent.

1. Vinegar as a pipe cleaner

With this piece of advice, you will not only free up clogs in your home drains, but you will also be able to remove mold and mineral build-up in the sink and sink.

To do this, pour 3 cups of boiling water down the drain and add one cup of baking soda. Then add a cup of vinegar mixed with a little water. Wait 10 minutes, then pour in 2 cups of boiling water again.

2. It removes stains from cups

To get rid of stains on cups and pitchers, just add a spoonful of baking soda and a spoonful of vinegar. Stir the product and let it sit for a few minutes. Finally, wash the cup or jug ​​with a sponge.

3. He cleans the microwave thoroughly

You don’t need a strong degreaser to disinfect the microwave, just a cup with 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water. Just leave this mixture in the microwave for a few seconds or until you see steam. Finally, remove the remaining dirt with a damp cloth.

Never mix vinegar with bleach as this will create harmful gases.

Recipe for a house cleaner with vinegar

To make your own vinegar-based household cleaner, you will need the following:

• A half cup of distilled white vinegar.
• 2 cups of distilled or filtered water
• A spray bottle.

Just mix everything in a spray bottle and use it to clean a surface. Then dry them with a clean cloth.

Also read this article: 5 recipes for environmentally friendly household cleaners

Vinegar as a home disinfectant is useful, but be careful!

As we’ve seen in this article, vinegar is not reliable as a disinfectant for household use. However, it is an effective home cleaner. We leave you with a few final recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting rooms at the same time:

• First ventilate the rooms well before using disinfectants.
• Make sure to disinfect the items that are touched most often and sometimes forgotten while cleaning, such as doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and phones. You can use 70% alcohol for this.
• Read the labels of cleaning products before using them and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do you already know where to start using vinegar as a disinfectant and cleaner?