4 Items You Should AVOID Cleaning with White Vinegar
- Replies 4
We here at the SDC are big fans of having a bottle of white vinegar in our cleaning arsenal.
White vinegar is a powerhouse of an ingredient when it comes to natural cleaning and is considered one of the backbones of many eco-friendly cleaning recipes. Plus, it is inexpensive when compared to branded cleaners, and is often available at your local supermarkets.
On the other hand, vinegar is also acidic. Meaning, it can majorly damage some household materials. “There is a common perception that vinegar can clean everything, but it isn't the do-all ingredient that you might think it is,” says cleaning expert Brian Sansoni.
That is why we’re here to share with you guys some of the areas of the home this item should never be used on.
Vinegar can actually do serious damage to appliances and other household items. Credit: Getty.Mirrors
Sometimes, it pays not to believe the hype. Despite hundreds of hacks online saying a vinegar or lemon juice solution is a great way in cleaning mirrors, the acidic property of these liquids can actually do more harm than good.
They can seep behind the thin coating and gradually corrode the silver backing of a mirror, making it lose its shine.
Instead, opt for a non-corrosive, gentle cleaner on your mirrors and use a microfibre cloth when wiping the surface.
Dishwashers
Running your dishwasher with a cup of vinegar is probably one of the most popular dishwasher cleaning hacks out there. It’s quick, simple, easy, not to mention, all-natural and inexpensive.
However, the acidic property of vinegar can also tarnish the stainless steel interior of your dishwasher machine. The acetic acid can also eat away any rubber seals, such as the door seal, pump and drain pipe, and deteriorate. Broken rubber seals will potentially lead to leaking in the future, so be careful folks!
What’s more, if vinegar mixes with any leftover salty residue during the cycle, it can cause discolouration on your metal wares and utensils.
Experts recommend sticking to products specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the dishwasher.
Steam irons
Cleaning experts advise to never add vinegar to the tank of your steam irons as it could permanently damage the metal interior of the appliance. Since most steam irons have a protective coating inside the chamber, the acid from the vinegar can eat away at the lining, which may corrode the metal parts inside.
The best way to clean an iron depends on the model you have, so read the owner's manual. If your model has a self-clean function, in most cases all you'll need to do is fill the tank with water and run the self-cleaning function.
Washing machines
Vinegar is also widely known to be used as a fabric softener or for getting rid of stains and odours in the laundry.
But similar to dishwashers, the liquid can also damage the rubber seals in some washing machines to the point of causing leaks. Experts even pointed out that front-load washers are especially susceptible to vinegar-related damage.
Instead, they advise investing in a dedicated washing machine cleaner.
We must also advise our readers that while there are a lot of expert opinions on the internet, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cleaning products.
Some may say that using vinegar on your appliances will potentially erode the product, but if your experience speaks for itself, then feel free to continue what you have been doing all this time!
White vinegar is a powerhouse of an ingredient when it comes to natural cleaning and is considered one of the backbones of many eco-friendly cleaning recipes. Plus, it is inexpensive when compared to branded cleaners, and is often available at your local supermarkets.
On the other hand, vinegar is also acidic. Meaning, it can majorly damage some household materials. “There is a common perception that vinegar can clean everything, but it isn't the do-all ingredient that you might think it is,” says cleaning expert Brian Sansoni.
That is why we’re here to share with you guys some of the areas of the home this item should never be used on.
Vinegar can actually do serious damage to appliances and other household items. Credit: Getty.
Sometimes, it pays not to believe the hype. Despite hundreds of hacks online saying a vinegar or lemon juice solution is a great way in cleaning mirrors, the acidic property of these liquids can actually do more harm than good.
They can seep behind the thin coating and gradually corrode the silver backing of a mirror, making it lose its shine.
Instead, opt for a non-corrosive, gentle cleaner on your mirrors and use a microfibre cloth when wiping the surface.
Dishwashers
Running your dishwasher with a cup of vinegar is probably one of the most popular dishwasher cleaning hacks out there. It’s quick, simple, easy, not to mention, all-natural and inexpensive.
However, the acidic property of vinegar can also tarnish the stainless steel interior of your dishwasher machine. The acetic acid can also eat away any rubber seals, such as the door seal, pump and drain pipe, and deteriorate. Broken rubber seals will potentially lead to leaking in the future, so be careful folks!
What’s more, if vinegar mixes with any leftover salty residue during the cycle, it can cause discolouration on your metal wares and utensils.
Experts recommend sticking to products specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the dishwasher.
Steam irons
Cleaning experts advise to never add vinegar to the tank of your steam irons as it could permanently damage the metal interior of the appliance. Since most steam irons have a protective coating inside the chamber, the acid from the vinegar can eat away at the lining, which may corrode the metal parts inside.
The best way to clean an iron depends on the model you have, so read the owner's manual. If your model has a self-clean function, in most cases all you'll need to do is fill the tank with water and run the self-cleaning function.
Washing machines
Vinegar is also widely known to be used as a fabric softener or for getting rid of stains and odours in the laundry.
But similar to dishwashers, the liquid can also damage the rubber seals in some washing machines to the point of causing leaks. Experts even pointed out that front-load washers are especially susceptible to vinegar-related damage.
Instead, they advise investing in a dedicated washing machine cleaner.
We must also advise our readers that while there are a lot of expert opinions on the internet, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cleaning products.
Some may say that using vinegar on your appliances will potentially erode the product, but if your experience speaks for itself, then feel free to continue what you have been doing all this time!
.png){kind=icon}
