Is Vinegar Useful As A Household Disinfectant?
Many of us have surely heard that, in addition to being an extraordinary culinary supplement, vinegar is useful as a household disinfectant. In this sense, it is used to clean the kitchen, the sink and other surfaces in the house.
Vinegar as a cleaning product is very efficient to eliminate unpleasant odors, remove dust and dirt that is more difficult to remove. It is often mixed with other substances, such as baking soda, for a more effective result.
However , you have to be very careful, because the fact that it cleans does not mean that it disinfects the surfaces on which we apply it. Let’s see below in which cases we can use vinegar and when it is better to opt for a conventional disinfectant.
Can vinegar be used as a household disinfectant?
Yes and no. Although they may seem synonymous, there is a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning products remove dirt, debris, and some germs from a surface.
Disinfectants, on the other hand, kill or neutralize bacteria, viruses and germs that are harmful to health. Having made this clarification, we can say that vinegar is an excellent natural cleaning product. Contains 5% acetic acid which is enough to remove grime, dust, and grease residue.
As a disinfectant it has its reserves and its use is quite limited, since it only reduces certain types of harmful microorganisms such as E. coli and Salmonella . We present two case studies that show the ability of vinegar to eliminate them.
1. Disinfection of toothbrushes
This is one of the most common uses for vinegar in the home. Some comparative studies confirm that vinegar has better results in disinfecting toothbrushes than triclosan, a type of mouthwash. The test consisted of immersing the brushes for two minutes in both liquids separately and then determining which bacteria had managed to eliminate each one.
Importantly, vinegar’s efficacy was applied only to the Echerichia coli bacteria . However, it failed to completely neutralize the others present on these brushes.
2. Raw vegetable hygiene
According to research, dipping lettuce leaves in a vinegar solution reduces the presence of E. coli bacteria in the vegetable. Also, the leaves do not show any change in their texture or flavor. As a disinfectant it has its reserves and its use is quite limited. So we do not recommend it that way.
What are the best disinfectants?
In relation to disinfectants, it is important to note that they should kill 99.9% of harmful germs within 5 to 10 minutes after application. These types of products contain substances such as ethanol (ethyl alcohol), isopropanol, hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide), phenolic compounds and bleach or hypochlorite.
The products are presented on the market in the form of sprays, liquids, tablets, gels or wet wipes. The important thing is that we check that some of these substances are included on the label.
Is vinegar useful for cleaning?
Definitely yes. Despite being a limited disinfectant, it is an excellent natural and environmentally friendly product that will help us with household cleaning tasks. We can clean windows, surfaces, sinks, pipes, kitchen, appliances and showers, among others.
However, the acid it contains is not recommended for any surface. It can damage waxed wood, granite, marble, cast iron, and aluminum. These are some of the ways you can use vinegar as a cleaning product.
1. Unclog pipes
With this advice you will not only unclog the drains in the home, but you will also remove mold and mineral deposits that are in the sinks or sinks. Pour 3 cups of boiling water into the pipe and add a cup of baking soda. Then add a cup of vinegar mixed with a part of water. Wait 10 minutes and pour in 2 cups of boiling water again.
2. Removes stains on cups
To get rid of stains in the kitchen jugs, place a tablespoon of baking soda and a tablespoon of vinegar inside them. Stir, let it act for a few minutes and, to finish, wash the cup with a sponge.
3. Deep clean the microwave
To sanitize the microwave you do not need a powerful degreaser, but a cup with a quarter of vinegar and water. Place it inside for a few seconds or until you see steam. Finally, remove the remaining dirt with a damp cloth.
Never mix vinegar with bleach because this mixture gives off dangerous gases.
Homemade vinegar cleaner recipe
To prepare your own homemade vinegar-based cleaner, you will need the following:
- Half a cup of distilled white vinegar.
- 2 cups of distilled or filtered water.
- A spray bottle or spray bottle .
Just mix everything and spray the surfaces. Then dry with a clean cloth.
Vinegar is useful as a household disinfectant, but beware!
As we have already seen throughout the article, vinegar is not a reliable disinfectant to use at home. However, it is an effective cleaning product to use at home. We leave you some recommendations to clean and disinfect your spaces at the same time:
- First ventilate the rooms well before using products to disinfect.
- Remember to sterilize the objects that we touch the most and sometimes we forget to clean, such as doorknobs, light keys, controls and telephones. For this you can use 70% alcohol.
- Read the labels on cleaning products before using them and always follow the manufacturer’s advice.
Do you already know where you are going to use the vinegar to clean?
