Apple cider vinegar is known to some as a miracle worker. In fact, according to a study, it is much more than a salad dressing. This household ingredient is a secret weapon – from treating a cold to soothing one’s scalp and even for weight loss. But can apple cider vinegar be used for cleaning?
Absolutely! Apple cider vinegar is an inexpensive alternative to chemical cleaners. Like regular white vinegar, this ingredient is non-toxic and offers cleaning benefits with a more pleasant smell. It is a handy tool for cleaning kitchen items and around the house, from floors to drains.
In this article, we will tackle how apple cider vinegar benefits your home cleaning remedies.
What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Straight up – no sugarcoating; apple cider vinegar is a fermented apple juice. It contains vitamins B, and C, acetic acid, fiber, and plant-based anti-oxidants. Yeast is also added to the juice, and sugar is consumed over time, creating alcohol as a byproduct.
A lot of people laud apple cider vinegar because of its many uses. It is a household grocery staple used not only for cooking but also for health and wellness. Nowadays, it is a popular cleaning essential.
Why Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Cleaning?
The natural properties of apple cider vinegar are a natural scourge for hard-to-clean surfaces and areas in the house. It has antibacterial properties, is high in acetic acid, and has potent biological effects.
Apple cider vinegar is a safe cleaning agent. It effectively cleans away dirt, bacteria, and mineral deposits from surfaces. The high acidic properties of this ingredient make it an effective cleaning solution for sticky messes and soap residue in sinks.
With this ingredient as a cleaning tool, you are assured that your home gets the same 5-star treatment from using a chemical cleaner to clean the kitchen. While it is not as efficient as chlorine bleach, it is good at killing bacteria and germs on a cellular level.
What Is the Difference Between Apple Cider Vinegar and White Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is derived from the fermentation of crushed apples, while white vinegar is created through the fermentation of grain alcohol. Both are acetic acids making them equally powerful as conventional cleaning agents. Since both kinds of vinegar have quite the same makeup, one can be used as an alternative to the other.
However, white vinegar has a pungent smell, while apple cider vinegar smells sweet. As a result, the latter is mainly used for cleaning kitchen surfaces, walls, windows, and floors.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Be Used for Cleaning the Kitchen?
You don’t need to hoard appliance-specific kitchen cleaners from the grocery store. You can make your kitchen squeaky clean with a 1:1 mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. It eliminates cellular bacteria and makes kitchen surfaces look neat and tidy.
Wipe down the microwave, refrigerator, countertops, and more. Overall, there are a lot of uses to discover with apple cider vinegar as a cleaner.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar be Used for Cleaning the Bathroom?
You can remove bathtub mildew with apple cider vinegar. Depending on the problem, you can dilute the solution with water or use apple vinegar as it is. You can finish the cleaning process with essential oil so the entire bathroom will smell fresh.
You can also use this household ingredient if you want to keep the basins, faucets, and toilet bowl sparkling clean. It can add sparkle and make the bathroom germ-free.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Be Used for Stains and Window Streaks?
Apple cider vinegar is also recommendable for a no-streak clean on all windows of your house. You can also remove stains on painted walls, furniture, and kitchen items. However, apple cider vinegar can be harsh to some materials.
To know how this ingredient will react to delicate items, put a small amount of this solution in an area that is not usually discoverable. Check the results and continue to use it if there’s no adverse effect.
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Be Used to Unclog Drains?
Struggling with unclogged drains or slow drains but scared to use harsh pipe-cleaning chemicals? Well, apple cider vinegar can do the job. However, you need to use another household staple, baking soda, to unclog the drain.
Baking soda’s alkaline properties will neutralize apple cider vinegar’s acidity. As a result, there will be foaming and fizzing reactions which will break up gunk in drains.
When Not to Use Apple Cider Vinegar?
Don’t fall for the hype. Others may claim that apple cider vinegar can clean everything. However, this solution is not a catch-all ingredient that solves all your cleaning problems.
Apple cider vinegar is a versatile cleaning agent for glass, stovetops, faucets, floors, toilets, and the like. But they are not advisable to be used for cleaning the following household items.
Countertops
Don’t use apple cider vinegar if you want your countertops clean and beautiful. The acidic properties of this ingredient can dull natural stones like limestone and marble.
Meanwhile, apple cider vinegar can damage the sealers on durable stones such as granite. Instead, you can clean your stovetop with baking soda paste or mild detergent.
Hardwood Floors
You may use diluted apple cider vinegar to clean floor tiles, but it’s not advisable to use it on hardwood floors. Some stores will avoid the warranty if the floor gets damaged because you used ACV to clean it. Diluted apple cider vinegar can also remove the finish and leave the material looking cloudy.
Knives
Knives or other kitchen tools with edges are vulnerable. Apple cider vinegar may cause pitted edges on kitchen knives. The best cleaning option for knives is warm water and dishwashing liquid.
Electronic Screens
Never use apple cider vinegar to clean your smartphone, tablet, TV, or computer monitor. It can damage the anti-glare properties of the screen, or the touch screen won’t work anymore. Use a wet sponge with liquid dish soap to clean them instead.
Ranges
Generally, apple cider vinegar won’t damage ranges made from enamel and glass. But if you’re to clean a greasy mess on them, it is not advisable. Acid is a lousy degreaser for these materials. Use alkaline cleaners like baking soda or Borax on grease stains.
Washing Machines
Apple cider vinegar can be used to get rid of stains on clothes. However, don’t use it when washing clothes with a machine. It can damage the hoses and rubber seals on the washing machine and cause a leak.
Conclusion
Some chemical cleaner manufacturers would make everyone believe that their products are the only way to keep one’s home clean. But you have learned now that apple cider vinegar can be used for cleaning. It would give you the best of both worlds – a clean, chemical-free home.
Apple cider vinegar is an effective solution for a variety of cleaning problems. It makes it easier for grungy jobs like cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, and living areas. Most of all, this ingredient is inexpensive, natural, and a viable alternative to white vinegar because of its sweet scent.
If you’re interested in learning more about apple cider vinegar, check out our post – What everyone needs to know about raw apple cider vinegar.
