Things You Shouldn’t Clean With Vinegar Because It will Make the Situation Worse

It’s no secret that we’re fans of white vinegar for its ability to clean, shine, deodorise, and play a role in a variety of household hacks. But as great as the acidic workhorse is, it can’t do everything. And, in some cases, trying to use vinegar to clean something can only make things worse. Here are six times when that’s the case, courtesy of an article by Georgina Laud of the Daily Express.

[referenced id=”1048836″ url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2021/03/8-things-you-probably-didnt-know-you-can-clean-with-vinegar/” thumb=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/02/27/kttiuin0jodmchsp8rrw-300×168.jpg” title=”8 Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Can Clean With Vinegar” excerpt=”It may be somewhat counter-intuitive that a liquid that arguably smells pretty foul on its own actually stands with the best household cleaners and odour-eliminators. Yet many years of homeownership have taught me that plain old white vinegar’s acidity — often when mixed with equal parts water — is an…”]

1. Egg stains

Egg stains are trickier to deal with than they may seem, and that includes their relationship with vinegar. That’s because when the acid in the vinegar combines with egg, it can cause it to coagulate — resulting in a hardened mess worse than what you started with. Instead, per Laud:

You should lift up any solids with a knife or spoon, and create a mixture of two teaspoons of dishwashing soap to two cups of water. Blot — don’t rub — with a sponge, white cloth or soft-bristled brush until the stain is gone.

2. Hardwood floors

Some people swear vinegar gets their hardwood floors gleaming, but others have found that it strips the finish. This is a case of it being better to be safe than sorry, so skip the vinegar and use a cleaner created specifically for cleaning wood.

3. Irons

If your iron gets dirty or clogged, vinegar might seem like the obvious solution, but it can damage the internal mechanisms of the iron. Instead, turn the iron off completely to let it cool, and then follow the cleaning instructions from the manufacturer.

[referenced id=”691457″ url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/10/remove-odours-from-your-entire-home-by-simmering-vinegar/” thumb=”https://www.gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/10/02/1455310058805967279-300×169.jpg” title=”Remove Odours From Your Entire Home By Simmering Vinegar” excerpt=”We’ve talked about how leaving out a bowl of vinegar can deodorise a room, but what if there’s a smell that’s taken over your entire house? Simmering that vinegar on the stove can maximise its reach and odor-eating power.”]

4. Stone floor tiles

Really, vinegar can damage any type of natural stone surfaces in your own — not just floor tiles. It’s another one of those situations where the safest option is sticking with a dedicated stone surface cleaner.

5. Exceptionally stubborn stains

If you’re dealing with a grass, ink, or wine stain that isn’t going anywhere, instead of continuing to pour or spritz on the vinegar, try treating the area with a stain solution before washing.

6. Marble and granite counters

Again, the acid in vinegar may damage your marble or granite countertops, potentially ruining their smooth surfaces and causing discolouration. This time what you need is mild dish soap diluted with warm water to get the job done safely.