8 things you really shouldn't clean with vinegar

A quick Google search on how to clean something will likely bring up results hailing vinegar as a cheap, natural, non-toxic cure-all. But while it's good for cleaning some things, it could cause irreparable damage to others.

Cleaning vinegar, or white vinegar, is most commonly chosen for cleaning, and while its acidity is good for descaling kettles and cleaning ovens, it can corrode some materials and surfaces in your home.

Read on to find out the top things not to clean with vinegar, as well as our recommendations for those wanting a natural and sustainable cleaning alternative.

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1. Mirrors

Despite what you may see online, you shouldn't use anything acidic, whether vinegar or lemon juice, to clean mirrors.

This is because it can seep behind the thin coating and corrode the silver backing that gives every mirror its shine.

Instead, use a non-corrosive glass or window cleaner along with a microfibre cloth.

Freshening up your mirrors is one of the 6 household jobs you can tackle with a window vac

2. Steam irons

Vinegar is a great way of flushing limescale out of your kettle (although you may prefer citric acid as it leaves less of a smell), but you shouldn't use it to descale your steam iron.

It can permanently damage the inside of the iron by eating away at the protective coating inside and eroding the plastic, rubber and metal parts.

Almost all irons should have cleaning instructions in the manual, so that's a good place to start. If your model has a self-clean function, in most cases, all you'll need to use is water.

Read our advice guide on how to clean an iron or check out our steam iron reviews to find the models that can stand up to limescale

3. Stone, granite or marble kitchen countertops

Neither vinegar nor lemon juice should be used to clean natural stone surfaces, such as granite or marble, or metals such as stainless steel.

While the vinegar probably won't be on long enough to cause severe damage, it can eat away at the surface and cause your granite or stone surfaces to weaken and lose their shine.

Kitchen countertops aren't cheap to replace, so clean them with washing-up liquid diluted with water. For more on the pros and cons of different countertop materials, read our guide to choosing the best kitchen worktops.

Find out which washing-up liquids top our tough lab tests

4. Dishwashers

A quick online search for 'how to clean a dishwasher' will bring up results advising the use of vinegar in place of a dishwasher cleaner. Some also suggest using vinegar to descale your dishwasher or recommend it as a rinse aid. 

But vinegar can tarnish the stainless steel inside your dishwasher and corrode the door seal, pump and drain pipe, potentially leading to leaking in the long run. And, if vinegar mixes with salty residue during the cycle, it can discolour metal dishware and utensils.

You shouldn't have to worry about limescale if you use dishwasher salt, as it softens the water. And in terms of rinse aid and dishwasher cleaner, stick with products designed for this purpose.

Read our step-by-step guide on how to clean a dishwasher for more information

5. Washing machines

Just like with dishwashers, many claim you can use vinegar as a substitute for washing machine cleaner, but it can damage your machine if used to excess.

Vinegar can corrode the plastic and rubber parts, potentially leading to leaks. So it's worth investing in a dedicated washing machine cleaner where possible.

White vinegar can be used to soften fabrics, as it strips away the build-up of detergent. But to avoid damaging your machine, we recommend soaking fabrics in a solution of white vinegar and water, then rinsing thoroughly before washing as normal. For more on this technique, read our guide on how to get soft fluffy towels.

Compare products from Dettol and Dr Beckmann in our guide to washing machine cleaners 

6. Electronic screens

Vinegar can strip off the protective coating from TV screens, tablets and even smartphones.

Instead, wipe the screens of your electronic devices with a gentle microfibre cloth to remove dust and other particles.

Then use isopropyl alcohol spray or wipes to remove germs and nasty microbes. It's worth checking the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance advice, too.

Read our advice on how to clean your mobile phone without damaging it

7. Wood or stone flooring

Some swear by diluted vinegar for cleaning hardwood flooring, but it can eat away at the finish, even when diluted.

A safer option is to use a cleaning product specially formulated for wood floors.

That means avoiding all-purpose cleaners, too, unless it specifically says it can be used on wood surfaces.

Find out more about the different types of wood flooring and how to clean a carpet

8. Knives

Some websites recommend soaking kitchen knives in vinegar to remove rust spots. However, if used frequently, vinegar can damage the finish and even dull the blade over time.

Don't stick them in your dishwasher either, as this can also dull the blades. 

The best way to clean your knives is to wash them with warm soapy water immediately after use, and give them a quick dry.

We've tested knives from Global, Lakeland, Robert Welch and more to find out the best chef's knives

What kind of vinegar is best for cleaning?

Our expert says:

'For cleaning, white and distilled vinegar are best. One reason is due to them being colourless, and therefore not staining surfaces, unlike malt (chip shop) or apple cider vinegar.

'Distilled and white vinegar also have higher levels of acetic acid than the other vinegar types, and it's this acid that helps to break down stains and grime.

'The difference between white and distilled vinegar is quite unclear, and they seem to be used interchangeably. Some say that white vinegar has higher concentrations of acetic acid than distilled (and therefore would be better for cleaning), but it doesn't seem consistent.

'You might lean towards citric acid for cleaning if you really can't stand the smell of vinegar. It's slightly stronger at dissolving calcium and limescale, so it works well on things like shower screens, taps and other bathroom applications. But vinegar is more acidic, and therefore better at cutting through stains, grease and grime. 

'Citric acid, like vinegar, also shouldn't be used on natural stone, wooden floors, or any of the other places mentioned above.'

Alicia Day, Which? scientific adviser

Make limescale and water marks a thing of the past: see how to clean a shower screen and how to descale a kettle

What to use instead: sustainable cleaning alternatives for your home

Vinegar is generally viewed as more natural and gentle, both in how it's made and after it goes down the drain, but 'natural' doesn't always mean sustainable.

Everything is made from a combination of chemical elements, so dividing things into 'natural' and 'chemical' can be misleading.

If you're looking for a sustainable option, check for the following:

• Is it vegan? In practical terms, this means whether the surfactants (surface-active agents) used are made using crude oil or vegetable oils.
• Is the bottle and cap recyclable? Is the plastic made from virgin plastic, or has it been previously recycled?
• Is there a refillable option? Refilling means that you don't need to buy as many single-use plastic bottles.

If you're using vinegar to avoid harsh chemicals, you might be better off using an e-cloth – these are microfibre cloths designed to remove more than 99% of bacteria. All you need to do is rinse the cloth and wring it out, draw it across your dirty surfaces and wash it afterwards with hot water or in the washing machine. 

Baking soda works wonders for stains and smells, it's non-abrasive and saves you having to scrub or use bleach. You can use it to wipe away old food residues from the inside of a fridge, for example, or you can add it to pots and pans to help lift stubborn, crusty foods.

Cleaning products that are powders or tablets that dissolve in water are also becoming more widely available. These often come with reusable bottles, or you can refill your own empty glass or plastic bottles.

Choosing one of our Best Buy cleaning sprays can also help, as you shouldn't need to use as much of an effective product. This means you won't need to buy it as often, lowering the impact of manufacturing, shipping and recycling.

For more on making sustainable choices, see our guide to eco-friendly cleaning, or check out our guide to buying refillable products