Beyond cooking in the kitchen, vinegar is an underrated cleaning superstar that’s not only eco-friendly but also safer to use compared to conventional chemical-based household cleaning products you can find in the supermarket. Aside from being non-toxic, vinegar is also an amazingly versatile cleaning agent with a wide variety of applications. It’s practically safe to use on different surfaces with a few exceptions, including granite and marble surfaces.
Despite its fantastic cleaning powers, there’s one caveat about using vinegar: never mix it with other acidic and caustic ingredients. In this article, we share expert tips from our professional house cleaners in Brookfield about their dos and don’ts when cleaning with vinegar.
Don’t Mix Vinegar With These Cleaners
It’s understandable to think that vinegar will work even better when mixed with another effective cleaning product, especially when you encounter a tough cleaning task and you’ve already hit the wall for cleaning hacks. But here’s the deal: regardless if they’re chemical-based or natural cleaning alternatives, It’s always best to err on the side of caution and not mix two different cleaning products.
Here are some examples of things you should never mix with vinegar when cleaning your home.
1. Bleach
Most commercially sold house cleaning bleaches contain sodium hypochlorite, which is a liquid form of chlorine. In and of itself, exposure to pure chlorine is already harmful even potentially fatal. When bleach is mixed with vinegar, it releases a potent and toxic chlorine gas. Exposure to it can cause debilitating symptoms including:
- Vision blur
- Eye tearing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Adverse skin reactions
- Respiratory failure
If you accidentally mix these two while cleaning, leave the area immediately, open windows and doors, and turn on a fan to ventilate the room. Seek expert medical attention if you or a family member feel seriously ill after exposure.
2. Hydrogen peroxide
Mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide results in peracetic acid, which is a highly corrosive and damaging chemical that can cause serious irritations in the skin, eyes, and throat in high concentrations.
3. Ammonia
Ammonia is a colorless and extremely stringent chemical compound typically used to clean and disinfect industrial and commercial spaces. When combined with an acid like vinegar, the two produce a dangerously high pH. In addition to a strong and nauseating odor, exposure to it can result in skin allergies and a burning sensation in the eyes and throat.
4. Other Home Cleaning Products
Most store-bought household cleaning products contain one or two of the items mentioned above as their active ingredients. Combining them with vinegar can produce toxic chemical fumes that may put your or your loved ones’ health at risk.
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Drain cleaner
- Rust remover
- Limescale remover
In summary, vinegar is already an awesome green cleaning agent on its own. Dilute with water in a spray bottle, and you’re good to go. If you have sensitive skin, always wear hand gloves before handling any type of cleaning product. In addition, make sure to spot test on a small, inconspicuous part first before cleaning with vinegar (or any product for that matter) before covering a big area to prevent costly and irreversible damage on flooring and furniture.
Safe and Professional Home Cleaning by BetterCleans
Cleaning your own space can be therapeutic, but perhaps not when you’re exhausted from work, family life, and a million other things to do in between. Luckily, there’s BetterCleans to help! We have all types of professional house cleaning services to suit your needs delivered by vetted cleaning partners who undergo strict background checks for your peace of mind. We cater to customers in Waukesha, Mequon, Wauwatosa, and other neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
Enjoy a happy and healthy home without the stress and the sweat. Book our cleaning service today!
