Does Vinegar Kill Germs?

If you’ve been looking for a safer alternative to chemical-based household cleaning products, your attention may be centered on vinegar.

Vinegar is acetic acid, so it breaks down hard water stains and soap scum. It can leave your glass smudge-free. Its benefits also extend to deodorizing smelly areas, unclogging sinks and polishing some surfaces.

While these are exciting benefits, you also need a cleaner that kills germs. Does vinegar kill germs?

Vinegar as a Cleaning Product

Vinegar is preferred as a cleaning product because of its affordability. Often, vinegar is diluted with water for cleaning purposes, allowing you to get more mileage from a single jug of vinegar.

Vinegar is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it safe for people, pets and the environment. The acetic acid in vinegar has been proven to disinfect surfaces, making it a viable alternative to cleaning products. However, while it kills some germs, it won’t get rid of all of them.

Does Vinegar Kill Germs Like Bleach?

Bleach is a staple cleaning product in many homes. It is widely and rightfully known for destroying germs on contact.

However, bleach has negative health effects when the toxic fumes are inhaled and when the liquid hits your skin and eyes. It is toxic if digested.

Many people prefer to use vinegar as an alternative to bleach, but be aware that it cannot kill all of the germs that bleach can. Vinegar can kill listeria, salmonella and E. coli. Malt vinegar can even kill influenza A.

How Long Does It Take for Vinegar to Disinfect?

The amount of time required for vinegar to disinfect a surface varies based on the concentration and the pathogen. However, by definition, a substance must kill 99.9% of harmful germs within five to 10 minutes of contact to be classified as a disinfectant by the EPA.

Vinegar is not classified as a disinfectant by the EPA. For some germs, vinegar takes a longer time to kill. For example, one study revealed that vinegar takes up to 30 minutes to kill tuberculosis using a 6% solution.

What Germs Does Vinegar Not Kill?

When vinegar reaches many types of bacteria and viruses, it makes chemical changes to the fats and proteins in the cells. The result is destroyed cell structures and dead cells.

However, vinegar cannot kill all germs. For example, it is ineffective at killing Covid, Sars, staph, MRSA, mycobacteria and a few others.

How to Use Vinegar for Cleaning

Because vinegar has a high acidic content, it generally must be diluted. In a spray bottle, combine one part vinegar with one part water. Using the spray bottle, squirt the cleaning solution on the surfaces. Allow the solution to stand on the surface for roughly 10 minutes before wiping it away.

To bolster the cleaning and disinfecting properties of vinegar, use hot water for the one-to-one diluted solution. In addition, dissolve table salt in the water, or apply it to the surface before spritzing it with the diluted vinegar.

What Should Not Be Cleaned with Vinegar?

While vinegar is safe to use on some surfaces, the acetic acid in vinegar can damage others. Don’t clean vinegar on these surfaces:

• Wood: On sealed wood, vinegar can erode the finish. Swelling and cracking are likely when vinegar is used on unsealed wood.
• Stone: The acid in vinegar can etch natural stones like limestone, granite and marble.
• Grout: Regardless of whether grout is sealed or unsealed, it can be damaged by vinegar.
• Electronics: Surfaces with an anti-glare coating, such as on TVs, smartphones and tablets, can be damaged by vinegar.
• Cast iron: The seasoning on cast iron pots and pans can be stripped off by vinegar. If this happens, rust is common.
• Fabric: Materials like acetate, rayon and silk can fade and weaken when exposed to vinegar.
• Rubber: Rubber, such as on the seal around your dishwasher, can warp and degrade if cleaned with vinegar.
• Egg spills: When raw eggs come in contact with vinegar, they coagulate and create an almost glue-like gel.
• Gold-plated surfaces: Gold-plated surfaces and other types of metals will tarnish when they come in contact with vinegar.
• Waxy surfaces: Wax and wax-covered surfaces will dissolve when they are exposed to vinegar.

Tips on How to Use Vinegar Safely and Effectively

Vinegar is an effective, safe cleaning product when used properly. What can you do to optimize its benefits?

• Always dilute vinegar with an equal part of water.
• Do not mix bleach with vinegar. Combined, these ingredients produce toxic fumes.
• Do not use full-strength vinegar on stainless steel.
• Add several drops of your favorite essential oil to reduce the strong smell of vinegar.
• For extra cleaning power, combine vinegar with either salt or baking soda.
• Before cleaning with vinegar, read the manufacturer’s requirements and warnings. In addition, test a small, hidden area to ensure that the vinegar won’t damage the material.

Your fight against germs is a never-ending battle. Pathogens enter your home on your hands, shoes, shopping bags and more. They can grow in the home and thrive in your food, bathrooms, counter tops and other areas. Because some of these germs can cause serious and even deadly illnesses, cleaning and sanitizing your home regularly is essential.

With Cleanzen cleaning services, you can enjoy the full benefits of a healthy living environment without spending your time scrubbing and sanitizing. Book Cleanzen service for your home today.