Put Down the Vinegar: 12 Household Surfaces You Should Never Clean With It

Vinegar Isn’t Always the Answer

Vinegar has developed a near-mythical reputation in the world of DIY cleaning. It’s cheap, natural, and often effective—especially for things like coffee makers, glass, and windows.

But vinegar is not a universal cleaner. Because it’s a mild acid (acetic acid), it can corrode certain surfaces, damage finishes, and even create unsafe chemical reactions.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we’ve spent over 40 years cleaning and restoring homes across Chicago, the North Shore, and Lake County. We’ve seen firsthand how misuse of common products like vinegar can lead to costly repairs.

Here are 12 surfaces and situations where vinegar should never be used—plus safer alternatives.

1. Smartphones, Tablets & Laptop Screens

Modern devices often have oleophobic coatings designed to resist fingerprints. Vinegar strips these coatings, leaving screens dull and smudgy.

Use instead: A microfiber cloth and a screen-safe solution.
Source: Apple Support

2. Cast Iron or Aluminum Cookware

Acid reacts with uncoated cast iron and aluminum, causing pitting and metallic off-flavors.

Use instead: Warm water, dish soap, and a nylon scrubber.
Source: Cook’s Illustrated

3. Grease and Oily Surfaces

Vinegar doesn’t cut grease. Grease is alkaline, so you need a surfactant.

Use instead: Dish soap with warm water.
Source: Scientific American

4. Granite, Marble & Natural Stone Counters

Vinegar etches stone surfaces, dulls finishes, and weakens sealants.

Use instead: A pH-neutral stone cleaner or mild soap and water.
Source: Natural Stone Institute

5. Stone Tile Floors

Just like countertops, acid eats away at sealant and stone floors over time.

Use instead: A pH-neutral floor cleaner formulated for stone.
Source: Bob Vila

6. Hardwood Floors

We often get calls in Chicago and the North Shore about dull or streaky hardwood. Vinegar is often the culprit. Over time, it wears down finishes and damages wood.

Use instead: Manufacturer-recommended hardwood floor cleaner.
Source: National Wood Flooring Association

7. Cleaning Up Eggs

Vinegar causes eggs to coagulate into a sticky mess, making cleanup harder.

Use instead: Paper towels followed by warm, soapy water.

8. Steam Irons

Vinegar can corrode seals and internal components in irons.

Use instead: A manufacturer-approved descaler.
Source: Consumer Reports

9. Cars & Auto Surfaces

Vinegar strips wax and clear coat, leaving paint dull and unprotected.

Use instead: Auto-specific car wash soap.
Source: AutoZone

10. Tough Fabric Stains

Vinegar isn’t strong enough for deep-set stains like blood, ink, or grass.

Use instead: Enzyme-based stain removers before washing.
Source: American Cleaning Institute

11. Mixing Vinegar With Bleach

This creates toxic chlorine gas, which can cause coughing, breathing problems, and eye irritation.

Never mix vinegar with bleach.
Source: CDC

12. As a “One-Size-Fits-All” Cleaner

Vinegar is not a universal solution. While it works on some surfaces (glass, windows, coffee makers), using it indiscriminately can lead to damage.

Summary: Clean Smarter, Not Harder

Vinegar has its place in cleaning, but it can also create more problems than it solves. Using the wrong cleaner on the wrong surface can cause expensive damage to floors, countertops, electronics, and more.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we help homeowners across Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Northbrook, Deerfield, and Lake Forest protect their investments with professional cleaning and restoration services.

FAQs About Vinegar Cleaning Mistakes

Q: Is vinegar safe to clean mold?
A: Vinegar can kill some surface mold, but it doesn’t penetrate porous materials. For household mold issues, professional remediation is the safest option.

Q: Can vinegar be used on laminate flooring?
A: It’s not recommended. Laminate flooring can swell or delaminate from moisture, and vinegar weakens protective coatings.

Q: Is vinegar safe to use in laundry?
A: In small amounts, it can soften fabrics. But overuse can break down elastic and damage washing machines over time.

Professional Cleaning Help in Chicagoland

When in doubt, leave the cleaning to certified professionals. Our team offers:

• Residential deep cleaning
• Upholstery & fabric cleaning
• Post-disaster restoration and decontamination
• Hardwood floor care and drying

With over 40 years of trusted service, we are IICRC-certified, RIA members, and proud co-authors of RESTORE: A Complete Guide To Protecting Your Home (Amazon link).

Call (773) 376-1110 (Chicago) or (847) 316-9145 (North Shore & Lake County) to schedule service today.