It’s not exactly breaking news that white vinegar is an excellent safe and natural cleaning for a variety of surfaces. But now I’d want to focus on one area where vinegar is really useful: the bathroom! Bathrooms are a breeding ground for a variety of difficult-to-clean issues, but white vinegar can help with almost all of them!
Vinegar’s high acidity level aids in the removal of mineral deposits (such as lime and rust) and the dissolution of soap scum, making it ideal for bathroom cleaning! Because it is so acidic, it generates a “hostile” habitat for many microbes, making it an effective disinfectant.
Types of Vinegar
All vinegar is made through the fermentation of a plant-based substance. The foundational ingredient used in the process is what gives vinegar their unique flavors
White Vinegar
White Vinegar – Also known as spirit vinegar, this is your most commonly known type of vinegar. It is produced through the fermentation of ethanol, which is made from starchy plants and grains (corn, wheat, sugar cane, potatoes, etc.) It consists of acetic acid and water, with an acetic acid level between 5% and 20%.
When used in cooking, it can take on the flavor of the other ingredients without doing much more than changing the pH level of the food and balancing out the assertive flavor of other ingredients.
Most cooking recipes will call for a different type of vinegar. But as I mentioned before, it is highly effective as an antiseptic and is a rock star as a cleaning ingredient. And unless you are dealing with extreme white vinegar, it’s essentially the same as cleaning vinegar.
Cleaning Vinegar – This special type of white vinegar has a higher acetic acid content than traditional white vinegar. Cleaning vinegar is not suitable for use in cooking, because it isn’t tested like other vinegar for human consumption, and could potentially harm the body.
It’s not absolutely necessary to use cleaning vinegar for common household cleaning, and because of its high acidity, it could even damage certain surfaces (wood, granite, etc.) But you may find it very effective for cleaning up that one mess that won’t budge no matter what you try!
Distilled White Vinegar – Distilled vinegar is white vinegar that has a lower level of acetic acid, making it suitable for cooking, flavoring, food preservation, and for use as a medical remedy. Compared to more acidic vinegar, it’s not as effective as a cleaner as its antiseptic qualities are diluted.
Cooking Vinegar
I’ll get into more detail on cooking vinegar in another post, so I’ll just give you a quick breakdown here.
Rice Vinegar – A mild vinegar made from rice wine that’s commonly used in Asian cuisine.
Malt Vinegar – A lesser-known vinegar here in the U.S., it’s made from ale and has a “toasty” flavor that pairs well with potato dishes like fish and chips.
Red Wine Vinegar – Made from red wine and has a strong, powerful flavor. It works well as a meat marinade and in vinaigrettes when you want to add a little kick.
White Wine Vinegar – Made from white wine, it has a lighter flavor than red wine vinegar. It pairs well with poultry and works well as a primary ingredient in pan sauces and more delicate salads.
Apple Cider Vinegar – As far as the strength of the flavor is concerned, apple cider vinegar is right in the middle. It is made from apples and has a bright and fruity quality that works well in pretty much anything!
Balsamic Vinegar – Italian in origin, balsamic vinegar is essentially a red wine vinegar that has been boiled down into a sweeter, darker and thicker substance. It’s one of my favorite vinegar, and tastes great drizzled over just about anything!
