What is the Best Vinegar for Cleaning and Why?

Which Vinegar is Best for Cleaning?

More and more people are turning to natural products rather than chemical cleaners to clean their home. And vinegar is one of those SAFE natural cleaning products that people are opting for these days.

If you’ve been wondering which vinegar to use for cleaning, you are not alone. Because there are different types of vinegar out there on the market, a lot of people are asking the same question, “what is the best vinegar for cleaning?”

White Vinegar is generally seen as the best vinegar for cleaning because it has high acidity level (5%), making it effective at removing dirt and grime as well as for sanitizing. It also has clear color, so it does not leave stains on light colored surfaces or clothing.

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Read on as we discuss in details why vinegar is good for cleaning and the very best vinegar for cleaning.

What is Vinegar?

There are various types of vinegar, but all vinegar is an acidic liquid that is produced through the fermentation of the ethanol by acetic acid bacteria.

Fruits, grains, and even alcohol can be used for the fermentation process.

Why is Vinegar Good for Cleaning?

Anyone looking for natural cleaning products has learned that vinegar makes a good cleaner. The reason for this is because of the acidic content.

The acid in vinegar is good for dissolving soap scum, brine from hard water and the loosening of sticky substances.

If you are looking for an effective and inexpensive way of cleaning that is also non toxic, then vinegar maybe your best option.

In addition, while vinegar may have a strong smell when you clean with it, once it dries the smell dissipates and all you smell is the clean scent.

What Different Types of Vinegar are Available?

There are many different types of vinegar and here is a look at various types of vinegar and the acidity level of each different type.

Apple Cider Vinegar – Apple Cider vinegar is one of the most common and popular types of vinegar that people buy. This vinegar is made from chopped apples. Apple Cider Vinegar has one of the highest acidity levels of any vinegar at anywhere from 6% to 8%.
Balsamic Vinegar – Balsamic vinegar is a dark colored vinegar made from grapes. It has about 6% acidity.
Malt Vinegar – Malt vinegar is made from malted barley grains and contains about 6% acid.
Sherry Vinegar – Sherry vinegar is made from sherry and contains about 8% acidity
White Vinegar – White vinegar is made from corn and the acidic content can run in a range from 4% to 20% with most vinegar being somewhere between 5% and 6%.
Rice Wine Vinegar – Rice wine vinegar is made from rice alcohol and contains around 5% acidity.

What is the Best Vinegar for Cleaning?

Yes, there are different types of vinegar available on the market, but the best vinegar for cleaning is white vinegar also called distilled white vinegar.

Acclaim All Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 128 Ounces (1 Gallon) – 5% Acidity

Why is White Vinegar Best for Cleaning?

The Acidic content of white vinegar is pretty high and the clear color won’t leave behind any color on clothing or light colored surfaces.

Plus distilled white vinegar has about 5% acidity, which is the same amount of acid found in most multipurpose cleaners.

So, it is highly efficient at cleaning dirt, grime and grease and can also help to disinfect surfaces.

What is the Difference between Cleaning Vinegar and White Vinegar?

Cleaning vinegar is about 20% stronger than white vinegar and should be used only for cleaning purposes whereas white vinegar can be used in food as well as for cleaning.

Cleaning vinegar may include impurities that you won’t find in distilled white vinegar.

What is the Difference between White Wine Vinegar and White Vinegar?

White vinegar is made from corn whereas white wine vinegar is made from white wine, normally Pinot Gris or Champagne.

White vinegar also normally has a higher acidity level than does white wine vinegar.

Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Cleaning?

It is possible to use apple cider vinegar for cleaning since it also has a high level of acidic content.

However, due to the fact that apple cider vinegar is brown in color it should never be used to clean light surfaces or in doing laundry.

Can You Use White Wine Vinegar for Cleaning?

White wine vinegar is considered to be specialty vinegar and while it can be used for cleaning, to do so will cost you a lot more than you need to pay.

The only time you should use this type of vinegar for cleaning is if you are trying to get rid of the end of bottle that you no longer want or have use for.

What Not to Clean With Vinegar

While there are a number of different areas in your home you can clean with vinegar there are some things that you should never attempt to clean with vinegar. (Learn how to clean with vinegar here)

Marble and other stone surfaces should not be cleaned with vinegar since the acid in vinegar will destroy or remove the shine off any stone surfaces leaving those surfaces looking dull and aged.

Other items you should not use vinegar on include electronic devices and appliances as well as iron pots and pans.

How to Mix Vinegar and Water for Cleaning

In most cases when you use white vinegar for cleaning you dilute the vinegar with the water.

The standard general vinegar cleaner calls for equal parts vinegar and water. Mixing and then placing it into a spray bottle works well.

In some cases, you may want to add more water to make a weaker cleaning solution. You may want to read this article for more details on vinegar to water cleaning ratio.

Where Can I Buy White Vinegar for Cleaning?

You can buy white vinegar in almost any grocery store. In most cases, you will find vinegar in the condiment aisle although some stores may decide to display it in the baking aisle.

You can also buy distilled white vinegar online.

Acclaim All Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 128 Ounces (1 Gallon) – 5% Acidity

Final Thoughts on What Vinegar to Use for Cleaning

When looking for a SAFE natural cleaner, white vinegar is definitely the first choice to meet most cleaning needs. This is because it’s inexpensive and clear in color, so it will not leave behind any undesired color on clothing or light colored surfaces.

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