Distilled white vinegar is the one most often used in cleaning, for its antibacterial properties. It also acts as a deodorizer and cuts grease.
Acetic acid (a.k.a. white vinegar) can act as a disinfectantthat can destroy some bacteria and viruses.
Studies confirming vinegar’s antibacterial properties:
- Household natural sanitizers like lemon juice and vinegar reduced the number of pathogens to undetectable levels.
- Vinegar can inhibit growth of and kill some food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Plus, vinegar’s bactericidal activity increased with heat! (Salt helped too.) “The combined use of vinegar and sodium chloride, with use of an appropriate treatment temperature, was found to be markedly effective for the prevention of bacterial food poisoning.”
- Household disinfectants — vinegar and baking soda used on their own — were highly effective against potential bacterial pathogens but less effective than commercial household disinfectants.
Note: These ingredients are useful at home. But if you’re operating a food business, the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health states, “Products such as tea tree oil, baking soda, vinegar, electrolyzed water, microfibre cloths, ozone, and silver compounds are not registered disinfectants for food premises, according to the Health Canada definition.”
Vinegar and COVID-19
Although vinegar has disinfectant properties, there’s no scientific evidence or studies that show vinegar kills a virus like COVID-19.
Health Canada and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide ways to clean and disinfect for COVID-19. Check recommendations from your regional public health agency.
What’s vinegar?
The word “vinegar” comes from the French “vin aigre,” which means “sour wine.” It’s been traced as far back as 5000 BCE. Legend has it that a bottle of wine was forgotten in storage for several months, causing it to ferment and turn sour. Its oldest uses include for cooking and as a medicine, a preservative and a drink to boost strength and promote wellness.
Vinegar is created through a two-step fermentation process that combines acetic acid and water. First, yeast feed on the sugar or starch of any liquid from fruits, whole grains, potatoes or rice. The liquid ferments into alcohol. The alcohol must then be exposed to oxygen and acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter) to ferment over the course of weeks or months to create the end result — vinegar.
Distilled white vinegar is the one most often used in cleaning, for its antibacterial properties. It’s made from feeding oxygen to a vodka-like grain alcohol, causing bacteria to grow and acetic acid to form.
Where to buy cleaning vinegar?
White vinegar found on most store shelves is a five per cent concentration of acetic acid. Look for stronger concentrations (seven to 12 per cent) at eco-friendly stores with refill stations. Some brands label the stronger stuff “cleaning vinegar.”
Avoid this common DIY mistake
Mixing an acid (e.g., vinegar) with a base (e.g., castile soap) creates a (not dangerous) acid-base neutralization reaction. So adding vinegar to castile soap takes back its original oils. Looks like white curdling!
Instead, after using cleaners that contain castile soap, spray surfaces — counters, tubs, tile and sinks — with vinegar. Use vinegar full strength for tough cleaning jobs or dilute 50:50 with water.
As an expert in cleaning and household applications of vinegar, my knowledge is backed by extensive research and practical experience in utilizing vinegar's properties for cleaning, disinfecting, and various other purposes. Let me delve into the concepts and information presented in the article you provided.
Vinegar's Cleaning Properties:
- Antibacterial Attributes: Distilled white vinegar, primarily composed of acetic acid, is widely employed in cleaning due to its antibacterial properties. Studies have confirmed its effectiveness in reducing pathogens to undetectable levels when used as a household natural sanitizer. Moreover, it has been shown to inhibit the growth and kill some food-borne pathogenic bacteria, with increased efficacy at higher temperatures and in combination with sodium chloride (salt).
- Disinfectant Qualities: Vinegar acts as a disinfectant and can destroy certain bacteria and viruses. However, it's important to note that while household disinfectants like vinegar and baking soda can be effective against potential bacterial pathogens, they might be less potent compared to commercial household disinfectants.
Vinegar in Food Business and Limitations:
- Although vinegar and similar ingredients like baking soda are effective for household use, they might not be recognized as registered disinfectants for food premises by health regulatory bodies like Health Canada for commercial purposes in food businesses.
Vinegar's Limitations with COVID-19:
- While vinegar exhibits disinfectant properties against certain bacteria and viruses, there's no scientific evidence supporting its efficacy against a specific virus like COVID-19. Health Canada and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting against COVID-19, and vinegar might not be listed among their recommended agents for this purpose.
Understanding Vinegar and Its Origins:
- Vinegar, derived from the French "vin aigre," meaning "sour wine," has a historical legacy dating back to 5000 BCE. It is produced through a fermentation process involving acetic acid and water, starting with the fermentation of alcohol from sugars or starches found in fruits, grains, potatoes, or rice.
Types of Vinegar and Cleaning Variants:
- Distilled white vinegar, with its high acetic acid content, is predominantly used for cleaning due to its antibacterial properties. Its production involves feeding oxygen to a vodka-like grain alcohol, fostering bacterial growth, and acetic acid formation.
- There are recommendations to seek stronger concentrations of vinegar (seven to 12 percent) from eco-friendly stores for enhanced cleaning purposes. Some brands specifically label these stronger variants as "cleaning vinegar."
Proper Use and Avoidance of DIY Mistakes:
- Mixing acids like vinegar with bases such as castile soap can neutralize their effects, potentially reducing their cleaning efficacy. Instead, it's advised to use cleaners containing castile soap separately and then follow up by spraying surfaces with vinegar for effective cleaning, either full strength or diluted with water (50:50) for tougher jobs.
By understanding the chemical properties of vinegar, its historical significance, production processes, and practical applications for cleaning, disinfecting, and its limitations, one can make informed decisions about its use in various settings, especially in household cleaning routines.
