Anna Elkington, an interior expert at Melody Maison, shared four areas of the home which should be avoided when it comes to white vinegar.
1. Stone countertops
The expert explained: “Stone granite countertops make the perfect addition to any kitchen, however, these tops have to be cared for properly to maintain their gleaming finish.
“Granite is highly sensitive to white vinegar as it contains harsh acids that remove small stone particles from the surface of the granite.
“This is otherwise known as etching and it can range from mild to severe depending on the amount of white vinegar used.
“Etching causes rough texture and dulls the colour of the granite leaving it looking worn and old.
“It is therefore important to never use white vinegar to clean this surface, even in small amounts”.
2. Hardwood floor and furniture
The acetic acid in white vinegar makes it a great cleaning agent for lifting tough stains, which makes it an “absolute no-go” for cleaning hardwood flooring.
Hardwood floors have a shiny finish which can be easily lifted by the harsh acid in the cleaning ingredient.
The vinegar can also expose the wood to further damage which may cost a lot to repair over time.
The expert added: “In addition, with the shiny finish removed, the wood will appear lacklustre and dull. It is important to note that the same applies to any hardwood furniture or decor items.”
3. Mirrors
Anna continued: “White vinegar may seem like the perfect cleaning product to remove tough stains and mirrored surfaces, however, over some time it can actually do more harm than good.
“With continued use, the vinegar can seep into the edges of the mirror and completely ruin its silver backing, which is essential for creating a shiny surface.
“Damage to the backing clouds the mirror appearance, defeating its purpose, a good alternative is to use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to buff out tough marks.”
4. Appliances with rubber parts
White vinegar should also be avoided when cleaning any appliances which contain rubber elements.
The expert noted: “Over time the acidity can begin to wear down the rubber and for big appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, this can be costly to replace.
“If you still want to remove tough stains on appliances, make sure to clean around the rubber parts and fully remove the vinegar when done.”
