What’s the Difference Between Cleaning Vinegar and White Vinegar?

Assuming cleaning vinegar and white vinegar are the same is a common mistake most people make. It can happen because both products are multi-purpose cleaners, natural and suitable for sanitising most household surfaces.

However, they are not interchangeable, and you should be mindful while using them for house cleaning. Both products can come in handy while you are making your home spotless or performing bond cleaning in Perth.

The ratio of water and acetic acid is the main difference between cleaning vinegar and white vinegar. Knowing the composition of both kinds of vinegar, the production process and how to use both products correctly is necessary to get excellent results while cleaning. Therefore, read on to find useful insights about cleaning and white vinegar.

Composition of Cleaning Vinegar V/S White Vinegar

Cleaning vinegar is 20% stronger than white vinegar because it has 6% acetic. White vinegar has 5% acetic acid, making it 1% less acidic than cleaning vinegar. The 1% difference also makes cleaning vinegar inedible, which is why the product doesn’t need to meet food safety standards, and you shouldn’t use the products interchangeably.

Production Process of Cleaning & White Vinegar

Both solutions are made with a two-step fermentation process. The first step is when sugar and starch from a fruit, grains, potatoes or rice are introduced to yeast. The sugar and starch ferment as the yeast feeds on it and turns the liquid into alcohol. This alcohol is then exposed to oxygen and Acetobacter, an acetic acid bacteria.

The liquid continues to ferment for weeks and even months to form vinegar. The result is fermented acetic acid liquid, which is then diluted with water to produce white vinegar or cleaning vinegar. The concentration of warm water makes the difference between the acidity of the liquids.

Therefore, you will find white vinegar in the condiment aisle and cleaning vinegar in the cleaning aisle.

How To Clean Your Home with White Vinegar?

White vinegar is an effective and versatile cleaner you can use to handle messes in the kitchen and spot-clean your home. It can work on stains, spots and grime like cleaning vinegar, but with less acidity making it gentler on surfaces. Therefore, it is perfect for cleaning hacks and here’s how to best use white vinegar.

Spray the solution undiluted on boilover stains, splatters and gunk. Wait 10 minutes, then wipe with a cloth. White vinegar will break the fats and proteins of these messes, making them easier to remove from most surfaces.

Make a versatile cleaning solution by mixing white vinegar and warm water in equal proportions. Add a teaspoon of washing soda and a few drops of essential oil to this solution. You can use this solution to clean oven, countertops, cabinets, shelves, windows, doors, refrigerators, and much more.

Clean grouts, tiles and glass surfaces with white vinegar and dishwashing liquid. Mix the ingredients in a slurry and apply it to the surfaces. Wait 10 minutes, then scrub and wash to reveal clean and shiny grouts, tiles and glass surfaces.

How to Clean Your Home with Cleaning Vinegar?

Need a natural but strong cleaner? Stock your house sanitation caddy with cleaning vinegar to get rid of old stains, built-up grime, mould, hard water stains and other stubborn stains.

Therefore, it is suitable for bond cleaning in Perth because it is effective and natural. You can reduce the usage of commercial cleaners with volatile organic compounds significantly by using cleaning vinegar in the following ways.

Kill mould & mildew without toxins with cleaning vinegar. Saturate the fungal growth on any surface with the solution and wait 30 minutes. Wipe the residues with a cloth, then wash the surface with soap and water.

Remove limescale, mineral deposits and hard water stains from fixtures and surfaces. Spray the solution undiluted on the mould and wait for 1-2 hours. Keep applying the solution if it dries before the dwell time is over to dissolve the deposits.

Treat rust stains with cleaning vinegar. Apply the solution to affected areas and wait for 20-30 minutes before scrubbing with a brush and washing with water. The acetic acid in cleaning vinegar will turn the ferric oxides into water-soluble salt. Thus, it is extremely effective against rust stains.

What not to Clean with Vinegar?

While you can sanitise almost every surface with white or cleaning vinegar, you shouldn’t use the products on the following things while deep cleaning your house.

Natural stone surfaces like marble, granite, sandstone etc.

Items with protective coats like hardwood floors, knives, electronics, stainless steel appliances etc.

Cast iron items

Waxed wooden surfaces

Wrapping Up

White vinegar and cleaning vinegar have the same production process, and the acetic acid content makes them different. Therefore, using them interchangeably is a mistake you should avoid while cleaning your home or performing bond cleaning in Perth.

Use the tips above to clean different surfaces and fixtures in your effectively and efficiently with white or cleaning vinegar as per requirement.