The Biggest Thing People Get Wrong About Cleaning with Vinegar
I try to keep my cleaning arsenal whittled down to the key must-haves. Why not have fewer things to buy and, thus, organize, right? I have a stainless steel cleaner, and I’m a sucker for Mrs. Meyers scents. And vinegar, well, that’s a multi-purpose go-to for me.
I use white vinegar to clean my cutting boards, bathroom sinks, and toilets, and to erase soap scum from my glass shower doors, among many other things. I love that I don’t have to worry about the kids getting into it (in fact, they use it when they help me clean!). I love that it can be used in so many different ways and has what I thought of as disinfecting properties. Then, COVID hit, and I paused to ask myself: Did I trust white vinegar to kill coronavirus germs or other bacteria or viruses?
Is Vinegar Considered a Disinfectant?
Technically, no. While vinegar, as a mild acid, is a great cleaner and does kill some pathogens, it is not a registered disinfectant. Vinegar is composed of 5% acetic acid (the remaining 95% water) and helps get rid of dirt and grime on surfaces, but it does not kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Vinegar is fine to use as a cleaner, but be sure to use a different product to properly disinfect.
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) puts it this way: “While vinegar does work as a disinfectant to some degree, it is not as effective as bleach or commercial cleansers when it comes to killing germs. If you are going to use vinegar as a cleanser, it’s important to decide whether your goal is to clean, or to disinfect.”
What’s the Difference Between a Cleaner and a Disinfectant?
Cleaners physically remove dirt, debris, particles, and some germs from surfaces. They may kill some germs but not all. Disinfectants kill germs on contact, including harmful pathogens, viruses, and bacteria that could make you and your family sick.
Vinegar as a cleaner is fantastic for everyday uses like wiping down windows, cleaning the microwave, freshening up coffee makers and shower heads, getting rid of unwanted odors, and making your dishes extra shiny.
However, you don’t want to use vinegar on surfaces like granite, marble, cast iron, or wood as it may actually damage them. You should also NEVER mix vinegar with bleach because it can create harmful, toxic fumes. (Your room should always be well-ventilated when cleaning regardless of what you’re using.)
You should be disinfecting frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis such as door knobs, light switches, desktops, remote controls, and smart phones.
Can Vinegar Kill Bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella?
Good news! Yes, vinegar can kill salmonella, E. coli, and listeria, which is great for the kitchen as these bacteria are the cause for many food borne illnesses. However, it can’t kill viruses like COVID, so it’s always best to clean and then disinfect with another product or solution to make sure your surfaces are shiny and bacteria-free.
How to Choose a Disinfectant
When your goal is disinfecting, ditch the vinegar. Instead, choose a product registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a disinfectant. The easiest way to do this is to check labels of cleaning products. Disinfectant products that advertise killing 99.9% of germs should have an EPA registration number listed somewhere on the label. Check to make sure that this number is in fact on the EPA’s list. Next, make sure you use the disinfectant properly. Finally, read and follow usage instructions for the specific cleaning product you’ve chosen.