Cleaning Vinegar vs. White Vinegar: Is There a Difference?

In many cases, people don’t identify the specific type of vinegar they’re using for a specific purpose. They simply say, “I’ll put some vinegar in the rinse cycle,” or, “I’ll use a little vinegar for this salad dressing.”

However, not all vinegar is the same. Some types, including white, are better for cleaning. But cleaning vinegar is always best for cleaning…right?

The short answer is: it depends. In this blog, we’ll compare cleaning vinegar vs. white vinegar and explain the key differences so you can clean with confidence.

What Is White Vinegar?

White distilled vinegar, or white vinegar, is a fermented liquid that has only two ingredients: acetic acid and water. White vinegar you’d buy at the grocery store is mostly water–usually 95 percent. The rest is acetic acid. 

What Is Cleaning Vinegar?

Cleaning vinegar is also a fermented liquid. Typical cleaning vinegar contains a higher concentration of acetic acid than white vinegar; most cleaning vinegars are at least 6 percent acetic acid.

Unlike white vinegar, it isn’t made to food-grade standards, and it may contain impurities or added ingredients like scents. That’s why you’ll see “not for consumption” on the label.

Cleaning Vinegar vs. White Vinegar: A Side-By-Side Comparison

Now that we’ve established that white vinegar is distinct from cleaning vinegar (which you should NOT drink), let’s look at other key differences.

The Main Difference: Acidity

Because cleaning vinegar is not meant to be ingested and does not have to adhere to food safety guidelines, manufacturers are free to add more acetic acid. Most household cleaning vinegars are 6 percent acetic acid, which makes them about 20 percent stronger than white vinegar. You may also see horticultural vinegars labeled 20 or 30 percent. Those are weed killers, not household cleaners, and they can cause serious burns to skin and eyes. 

The more acidic your vinegar is, the better it should be at clearing away stubborn stains. But it’s always good to dilute vinegar and test a small, hidden spot before you try it on new surfaces. When using cleaning vinegar, wear gloves and keep the room ventilated. 

When to Use White vs. Cleaning Vinegar in Your Routine

Both white and cleaning vinegar have their places in a typical household cleaning routine. Here are some situations when it’s okay to break out each product.

White Vinegar

White vinegar is best for routine cleaning of nonporous surfaces like kitchen counters, sinks, windows, or stainless steel. Because it’s suitable for human consumption, white vinegar is better suited for cleaning food appliances like coffee makers, tea kettles, and microwaves

A little bit of white vinegar in the rinse cycle can also neutralize pesky odors hanging onto your shirts and towels. Wiping down your washer’s dispenser drawers and exterior with heavily diluted white vinegar is also good for elevating your laundry game. 

Cleaning Vinegar

Many cleaning experts recommend starting with white vinegar for most stains before moving on to cleaning vinegar if necessary. That doesn’t mean you should be afraid of using cleaning vinegar for stubborn messes.

Situations where cleaning vinegar might be better than white vinegar include:

• Mineral buildup around shower and sink faucets
• Soap scum (especially on shower doors)
• Hardened urine stains around the tops of toilet bowls
• Pit stains in shirts

Important note: NEVER use ANY kind of vinegar on natural stone surfaces, aluminum, hardwood floors, knives, or electronic screens. For appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and irons, check the owner’s manual first. Some manufacturers advise against vinegar because it can wear down rubber seals and hoses over time.

Additionally, combining vinegar with bleach creates chlorine gas, which can be extremely dangerous.

Treat Yourself with Our All-Natural, Professional Cleaning Services

The team here at Purple Fig loves vinegar for household cleaning because it doesn’t contain the multitudes of toxic chemicals you see so often in the supermarket cleaning aisle. Vinegar’s versatility is another reason we’re such big fans.

But cleaning vinegar and white vinegar are just two tools Purple Fig uses to get your home spotless. When you’re tackling bedrooms, living rooms, floors, and kitchens, you need the full arsenal. 

We make our eco-friendly cleaning products in-house to ensure quality and freshness. Whether you’re interested in our Signature, Essential, or Refresh cleaning package, our priority is making your home the most comfortable place in the world. 

Find out why the Austin Chronicle has named Purple Fig Austin’s Best Cleaning Service four times by booking your first clean today!