questioning the identicality of cleaning vinegar and white vinegar
Acidic Solution has been a go-to for my cleaning tasks for quite a while, thanks to its affordability, non-toxic nature, and effectiveness. I always keep a container of plain white distilled vinegar underneath the sink, which I utilize for various purposes such as brightening laundry, tackling stains in collaboration with baking soda, spot-cleaning carpets, washing veggies, and numerous other cleaning applications beyond just cleaning. However, during my recent grocery shopping trip, I stumbled upon a product labeled as 'cleaning vinegar'. I hadn't encountered this before. Though I knew that the type of vinegar for cleaning wasn't balsamic, raspberry, or red wine vinegar, I had always considered white distilled vinegar (and sometimes apple cider vinegar) as cleaning vinegar. It turned out to be a separate product.
Considering my uncertainty about the distinction between white distilled vinegar, a common household item in the South, and 'cleaning vinegar', I figured others might benefit from some clarification too. To resolve this doubt, I reached out to an authority in the field - Carylanne Brown, a Grove Guide and Customer Happiness Team Leader at Grove, a company that offers cleaning vinegar in their product line-up.
Carylanne Brown is a Grove Guide and Customer Happiness Team Leader at Grove.
Differences Between Cleaning Vinegar and White Vinegar
According to Brown, there is a distinct difference between these two products. "White vinegar contains approximately 5% acetic acid, while cleaning vinegar exhibits a 6% acetic acid concentration," she clarifies.
The increased acidity and concentration is essential in making cleaning vinegar more powerful, claims Brown: "It is better at cutting through grease, dirt, and other debris, making it more effective for cleaning purposes."
"Cleaning vinegar is an excellent eco-friendly, powerful, and versatile cleaning agent alternative to numerous toxic household cleaners. It can be used for various household cleaning needs," Brown concludes.
Fortunately, for those who have been cleaning their microwave ovens and dishwashers with white vinegar instead of special cleaning vinegar, the two products can be used interchangeably. "You can certainly use regular vinegar to clean most surfaces," Brown asserts. "However, due to its lower concentration, you might need to put in more effort to tackle tough stains."
Using White Vinegar for Cleaning
If you opt to use white vinegar instead of cleaning vinegar, it might be beneficial to tweak your cleaning solution formula a little to make it stronger for easier cleaning. "If you're preparing a cleaning solution with white vinegar, you might want to increase the vinegar to water ratio slightly to increase the concentration," advises Brown. "A typical vinegar cleaning solution with cleaning vinegar is a 1:1 ratio, but when using white vinegar, increase to 1.5 parts vinegar for every 1 part of water."
If you wish to avoid the hassle of preparing a fresh solution every time you aim to make your windows sparkle, Brown suggests stocking a bottle of cleaning vinegar or seeking other natural cleaning products containing it as the primary ingredient.
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In the context of home maintenance and housekeeping, it's important to distinguish between common household items and specialized products. For instance, while white distilled vinegar is widely used for various cleaning tasks like brightening laundry and washing vegetables, there's also a product called 'cleaning vinegar' with a higher acidity level of 6% acetic acid. This makes it more effective at cutting through grease and dirt, making it a powerful and versatile alternative to toxic household cleaners. (Reference: SouthernLiving)
When faced with uncertainty about the usage and difference between white distilled vinegar and cleaning vinegar, it's always a smart move to consult experts in the field. Carylanne Brown, a Grove Guide and Customer Happiness Team Leader, advocates that you can use white vinegar for most cleaning tasks, but for tough stains or surfaces requiring more power, cleaning vinegar might be a better option. (Reference: Grove)
