Vinegar has long been considered an effective natural cleaning agent, but its use is not always safe. Many surfaces and objects can be permanently damaged by its action. We will explain to you where it is better not to use vinegar and which alternatives will ensure safe cleaning.
Objects and surfaces that should not be cleaned with vinegar
Many people reach for vinegar to clean tombstones, stone monuments or fences. At the same time, they do not realize that this acid can irreversibly damage their surface.
- Although vinegar is effective for many tasks, it destroys natural stones such as marble, granite or travertine.
- Its low pH leads to surface etching, tarnishing and permanent color changes that cannot be removed.
Instead of vinegar, it is recommended to use mild detergents with a neutral pH. They will remove impurities without the risk of damaging the material’s structure. Warm water with a drop of mild soap or specialized stone care products would be a much better idea.
Vinegar is sometimes used to clean wooden floors and furniture, which, however, causes more harm than good.
- Acetic acid dissolves the protective surface layers of the floor, which results in a dull surface and reduces its resistance to scratches and damage.
- Vinegar also removes the wood’s natural luster, exposing the raw structure, which becomes more susceptible to moisture, abrasion, and other forms of damage.
Instead of vinegar it is better to choose gentle products for treating wood, which will help preserve the natural shine and structure of the wood.
Some people use vinegar to wipe TVs, computers or smartphones, while not knowing that it can lead to serious damage. The screens of these devices are covered with special protective layers, which ensure the clarity of the image and protect against smudges.
- Vinegar, despite its benefits, destroys these layers, leading to permanent tarnishing and increasing the risk of corrosion of delicate electronic components.
- Acetic acid easily penetrates protective layers, which causes a decrease in image quality and increases the susceptibility of the device to permanent damage.
A safer choice for cleaning screens is soft antistatic cloths, which effectively remove impurities without exposing the equipment to the harmful effects of acid.
Why can vinegar damage things?
- Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid, whose strong corrosive properties can have a destructive effect on delicate materials such as wood, plastic or rubber. It is also dangerous for more durable materials.
- Acetic acid causes decomposition processes in the structure of natural stone, so marble or granite worktops can lose their aesthetic and functional properties, become dull and lose resistance to mechanical damage.
- Acetic acid also has a harmful effect on metal surfaces, especially those that do not have complete protection against corrosion, such as steel, iron and cast iron. Under the action of acid, metals are oxidized, which leads to corrosion and weakening of their structure. For example, kitchen knives exposed to vinegar can rust faster, losing their useful properties and sharpness.
- The same applies to pieces of furniture, tools and other household items made of metal.
Using vinegar on such surfaces shortens the life of objects and reduces their functionality. It can even pose a danger when, for example, rusted pieces of furniture break under load.
- However, the effects of vinegar are not limited to stone and metal, it also has a destructive effect on rubber parts, especially in household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. Long-term contact with acetic acid accelerates the drying process of rubber, which leads to its crumbling, cracking and loss of elasticity.
- Seals and rubber hoses thus become susceptible to damage, which can lead to leaks and the need for costly repairs.
Using vinegar in such cases is risky and manufacturers of white goods clearly recommend avoiding this substance in daily cleaning.
Forget the vinegar. Smearless windows give you a product that is as old as the world
