Put the Vinegar Down… Slowly.
Vinegar has developed a near-mythical reputation in the world of DIY cleaning. It’s cheap, natural, and effective in many cases. From cleaning coffee makers to freshening up glass, there are certainly times when vinegar shines.
But let’s be clear: vinegar is not a universal cleaner.
Because vinegar is acetic acid, it can corrode or react with certain surfaces, electronics, and materials. And in some cases, its use can be downright dangerous.
At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve spent over 30 years cleaning, restoring, and protecting homes across Chicago and the North Shore. We’ve seen firsthand the damage that misuse of common cleaning products can cause.
So, to help you clean smarter—not harder—here are 12 places and situations where you should never use vinegar.
🛑 1. On Smartphones, Tablets & Laptop Screens
Modern screens (especially those with “oleophobic” coatings) are made to repel oils from your fingers.
But vinegar strips these coatings, making your screen more prone to smudges and glare.
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✔️ Instead use: A microfiber cloth and a screen-safe solution.
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⚠️ Source: Apple Support recommends against using vinegar or alcohol on screens.
🛑 2. On Cast Iron or Aluminum Cookware
While vinegar can clean stainless steel or enameled pans, it’s highly reactive with aluminum and uncoated cast iron.
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It can pit the surface and even leach metallic flavors into your food.
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✔️ Instead use: Warm water, dish soap, and a nylon scrubber.
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⚠️ Source: Cook’s Illustrated cautions against acids on cast iron.
🛑 3. To Clean Up Grease
Vinegar might smell strong, but it’s a weak acid and doesn’t break down grease.
Grease is alkaline-based, so you need something that neutralizes it.
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✔️ Instead use: Dish soap with warm water.
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⚠️ Source: Scientific American
🛑 4. On Granite, Marble, and Natural Stone Counters
Acid + stone = corrosion. Vinegar can etch and dull natural stone surfaces over time.
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✔️ Instead use: pH-neutral stone cleaner or mild soap and water.
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⚠️ Source: The Natural Stone Institute
🛑 5. On Stone Tile Floors
The same rule applies to stone floor tiles—acid wears away at the sealant and the surface itself.
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✔️ Instead use: A pH-neutral floor cleaner specifically formulated for stone.
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⚠️ Source: Bob Vila
🛑 6. On Hardwood Floors
There’s debate online, but here’s what we know: vinegar can dull the finish and damage the wood over time, especially if overused or used undiluted.
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✔️ Instead use: Hardwood-specific cleaners recommended by the manufacturer.
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⚠️ Source: National Wood Flooring Association
🛑 7. To Clean a Cracked Egg
Vinegar makes things worse here! It causes eggs to coagulate into a sticky mess, making them harder to clean.
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✔️ Instead use: Paper towels and warm soapy water.
🛑 8. To Freshen Your Iron
Unlike coffee makers, steam irons often have delicate internal components. Vinegar can corrode seals and damage heating elements.
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✔️ Instead use: A manufacturer-approved descaler or follow the iron’s cleaning manual.
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⚠️ Source: Consumer Reports
🛑 9. To Clean Your Car
Vinegar will strip wax and clear coats from car paint. The result? A dull, unprotected surface that’s more vulnerable to UV damage.
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✔️ Instead use: Auto-specific car wash products.
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⚠️ Source: AutoZone
🛑 10. To Treat Tough Fabric Stains
Vinegar isn’t a miracle stain remover. Some stains—like blood, ink, or grass—set too deeply for vinegar to be effective.
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✔️ Instead use: Enzyme-based pre-wash treatments followed by a quality detergent.
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⚠️ Source: American Cleaning Institute
🛑 11. Mixed With Bleach
Mixing vinegar with bleach produces chlorine gas—a toxic substance once used in warfare.
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Symptoms of exposure: coughing, difficulty breathing, burning eyes.
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✔️ Instead use: Bleach on its own OR vinegar on its own. Never both.
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⚠️ Source: CDC
🛑 12. For Everything
If you’re using vinegar as your go-to cleaner, it might be time to rethink that strategy. While effective for:
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Windows
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Coffee machines
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Some floor tiles
…it’s not appropriate for all surfaces.
Misinformation online can cause real damage in your home.
🧽 Summary: Vinegar Isn’t Always the Answer
It’s time we stop thinking of vinegar as the ultimate household cleaner. Yes, it’s natural and useful in some cases—but it can be outright harmful in others. Misinformation can cost you more in repairs and replacements than just using the right cleaner in the first place.
🏡 Need Professional Help Cleaning Your Home Safely?
At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we provide:
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Residential deep cleaning
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Kitchen and bathroom sanitization
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Carpet and upholstery cleaning
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Post-disaster restoration and decontamination
With 30+ years of trusted service in Chicago and the North Shore, we help protect your home—and your surfaces—from preventable damage. We’re IICRC-certified and committed to safe, science-backed cleaning methods.
👉 Call 847-316-9145 or visit ServiceMaster-RBS.com to schedule.
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📘 About the Author
Sam Simon, IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer, brings over 30 years of restoration expertise to every blog. As the co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons and co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide To Protecting Your Home, Sam is known for delivering expert guidance rooted in science, certification, and service.