Vinegar Is Used in Cooking and Cleaning, But Is It the Best Option?
When it co
mes to cleaning your home on a budget, people have turned to vinegar as an affordable way to disinfect their home. It is useful for cleaning properties and its ability to be used as other products such as dressings or in pickling. There are several homemade cleaning products that use vinegar as one of the key ingredients due to its ability to disinfect.
While many homeowners choose to only use vinegar as their cleaning product, there are others who only trust store-bought cleaners or a reputable cleaning service to refresh their home. There are positives and negatives to using either a natural, vinegar cleaner or a commercial strength product.
PRO: Vinegar Is a Natural Disinfectant
Many low-cost, homemade cleaning product recipes have vinegar listed as one of the main ingredients. That is because vinegar is a strong acidic solution, which means it works as a disinfectant. Using vinegar to clean out drains, microwaves, or stovetops is an effective way to remove those tough grime buildups.
CON: The Smell Can Be Overwhelming
Perhaps the biggest downside to using vinegar is the strong odor it leaves. The strong, sour smell can linger around a home for several days. For many, the smell can be overwhelming. Some try to mask the strong scent by mixing vinegar with water, but that only dilutes the power of the acidic cleaner.
One important part of cleaning your home is leaving it with a refreshing scent. The smell of vinegar doesn’t create a refreshing scent like commercial cleaners can. The reason people prefer professional cleaning services is because they not only thoroughly clean your home, but they use cleaning products that leave your home smelling fresh.
PRO: Using Vinegar is Environmentally Friendly
Vinegar is an inexpensive, non-toxic cleaning solution that does not have the harsh chemicals found in traditional cleaners. Homemade cleaners often do not have additives or hazardous chemicals like many industrial-strength products have. This makes it safer for pets and children to be inside while you are cleaning.
CON: Natural Cleaners Are Not as Effective
According to a 2000 study, researchers found that vinegar cleaners were not as effective in rem
oving pathogens and dirt when compared to commercial products. That is because store-bought cleaners have added cleaning agents in their ingredients to make the products extra effective against bacteria and grime.
On top of vinegar being less effective than commercial cleaners, vinegar-based cleaners can cause damage to your floors and countertops. Avoid using a vinegar-based cleaning product on surfaces such as hardwoods, granite, marble, and ceramic. The acidity of vinegar causes rock and wooden surfaces to lose their shine and can even permanently damage your floors or countertops.
It All Comes Down to What Works Best for You
Some homeowners prefer to minimize the amount of chemicals that are used inside their home and prefer to use natural products such as vinegar and lemon juice. However, you may not get the best clean that you would get from a commercial cleaner. If you want your home cleaned right, call D’s Cleaning Service. We clean and disinfect your home with the most effective products and equipment to get rid of harmful bacteria in a safe manner and make your place feel brand new while smelling fresh and clean.
