Using White Vinegar around (and outside) the home
White Vinegar is a non-toxic traditional cleaning solution that has
been used safely for centuries. The active ingredient in White Vinegar
is acetic acid, which has both cleaning and descaling properties.
Although White Vinegar has a mild odour, it gradually dissipates. This
is in contrast to malt vinegar, which is unsuitable for cleaning. It's
also great for a range of laundry applications.
Be aware that many of the 'white vinegar cleaners' on the market are NOT pure white vinegar; they may have synthetic fragrance and/or surfactants added. Dri-Pak white vinegar is PURE
diluted acetic acid. This may not matter to you, but if you're looking
to descale appliances, particularly kettles, coffee machines and
sterilisers then you should use a pure white vinegar. The same applies
if you have allergies or sensitivity to perfumes.
Is your white vinegar cleaning product PURE?
Multi-purpose cleaner and descaler
White Vinegar is mildly acidic, making it an extremely versatile
multi-purpose cleaner. Many of the marks left behind on glass surfaces
like shower screens are actually limescale deposits.
White vinegar is perfect for a wide range of cleaning tasks including:
- Cleaning glass (including car windscreens), mirrors and surfaces
- Removing limescale from taps, draining boards, kettles and kitchen appliances
- Clean the detergent drawer and door seals of your washing machine.
- Treating pet urine stains and the residual odour. White Vinegar will deter your pet from returning to the same spot
- Use occasionally in your carpet cleaning machine to help keep the
water jets free of limescale. It will clean the carpet and won't leave
an odour
- Use in place of standard rinse aid in your dishwasher to keep
glasses from going streaky/milky and the bonus is that it will help keep
the machine clean.
Most cleaning white vinegars actually have perfume and surfactant
added, whereas Dri-Pak white vinegar is pure diluted acetic acid. People
with allergies should use such a version. Also if you are descaling
appliances that you'll be consuming water from, such as kettles, coffee
machines and even baby bottle sterilisers, you will also want a PURE
version to avoid tainting the appliance or causing bubbles.
If you don't like the odour of white vinegar, why not add a few drops
of a 'sympathetic' essential oil, such as apple. It will be difficult
to actually mask the odour completely because acetic acid is a strong
deodoriser in its own right. You could even leave some citrus peel and
other natural ingredients such as cinnamon to provide a natural
fragrance.
As it is an acid, you should not use white vinegar or granite or marble worktops, but you can use Soda Crystals, Liquid Soda Crystals or Bicarb Cream.
