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White vinegar is a wonderful ingredient when it comes to natural cleaning. Thanks to the acidic nature of white vinegar, you can easily deal with dirt, grease and grime. Be it in the common living space of your home, in the kitchen or in the bathroom. It is perfect for use in your garden.
For most household jobs, white vinegar works well as a natural cleanser, but there are some situations when it’s best to avoid using it. First of all, since white vinegar is acidic, it can dry out and damage natural stone surfaces over time. These include granite and marble. Similarly, it is not recommended to use vinegar to clean spills or stains containing egg because the acidity of the vinegar can cause egg proteins to accumulate, making cleaning more difficult.
Also, avoid cleaning your washing machine with white vinegar because the acid can damage rubber gaskets or seals, causing leaks or other problems. This is especially true if your machine has one. Finally, stay away from cleaning the iron with vinegar because it can Damages internal components and impairs their performance. Although white vinegar works well as a cleaner for a variety of tasks, it is important to understand its limitations and use it carefully to avoid harm.
White vinegar can clean some things, but not everything should be cleaned with it because it is an acid.
Myjobquote.co.uk’s cleaning expert Sarah Demspe highlights four things you should “never” use white vinegar for.
4 things you “never” use white vinegar to clean
1. Stone worktops
White vinegar “dulls and etches” natural stone materials such as marble and limestone, so those with stone counters should avoid using it to clean.
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You can “shine off” your surfaces by using white vinegar. When vinegar is used on other types of countertops, it can “break down any sealant” that is applied, which can ultimately damage the underlying material.
Sarah suggests using a towel or sponge dipped in a mild detergent to clean your surfaces instead.
2. Washing machine
Many people think that adding white vinegar to the washing machine and running it would help clean the machine.
That being said, few people are aware that vinegar may truly “damage” a washing machine.
The acid in the vinegar can harm rubber seals, hoses, and other rubber components found in washing machines, which is why vinegar should “never be used” on them. The result of this might be leaks in your washing machine.
As an alternative, make sure you use a product that has been approved by the manufacturer to prevent any harm to the machine.
3. Mirrors
Cleaning your mirrors with white vinegar is a smart idea because “vinegar is great for cleaning windows” and other glass related items.
That being said, you should “avoid using vinegar on your mirrors” because it can eat away at the base of the mirror. The reflecting surface of the mirror is located here.
Instead, stick to cleaning products that are suitable for mirrors and use a microfibre cloth for cleaning.
4. Dishwashers
Some people say that hard water film and residual odors can be removed by running white vinegar through the dishwasher.
Sara retorts that it really doesn’t matter that much. Dishwasher cleansers are a good choice as they are specially formulated to effectively clean your dishwasher.
She made the statement that white vinegar is “ineffective at removing water stains”. Additionally, some rubber parts of appliances, such as those in washing machines, can actually be “eaten away” by the acid in the vinegar.
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