Most tout the benefits of cleaning with a vinegar solution because of its versatility. Plus, it needs only 3 ingredients— easy enough, right?
When cleaning floors with a vinegar solution, here’s what you’ll need
- ½ cup distilled white, unspiced vinegar
- 4 liters water
- A bucket to pour and mix the solution in
This basic formula is suitable for cleaning various floor surfaces. However, if you’re dealing with a smaller area, you can easily adjust the recipe by maintaining the same 1:8 ratio of vinegar to water. For instance, for a quick spot clean, simply mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 2 liters of water and pour it into a spray bottle.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the floor types you can safely clean with a vinegar solution:
- Tile & ceramic: These hard and non-porous surfaces can withstand vinegar’s mild acidity. You can easily remove dirt, grime, and even soap scum buildup with this solution. Most also use vinegar to clean grout lines and restore the original color.
- Vinyl & linoleum: When cleaning vinyl and linoleum floors with vinegar, wring out excess liquid from your mop, as these surfaces can get damaged due to excessive moisture and dampness. Your floors could warp if you pour too much liquid.
- Laminate: Like vinyl and linoleum, laminate can be sensitive to extreme moisture so be sure to wring out your mop properly. Dry the floor as soon as possible after cleaning to prevent water damage.
Unfortunately, you can’t clean hardwood flooring with a vinegar solution. It’s too acidic and hardwood floors with polyurethane finish are highly sensitive to acid. Excessive exposure to vinegar can degrade its protective finish and leave the wood vulnerable to scratches, stains, and moisture damage.
Vinegar also has a dulling effect that can rob your hardwood floors of their luster over time. Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid damaging the finish with repeated vinegar use, you might be left with floors that look lifeless and lack original shine.
Can Vinegar Be Mixed With Other Ingredients Like Baking Soda?
Yes, there’s a science behind this.
When you mix an acid with a base (in this case, vinegar is the acid and baking soda is the base), they neutralize each other and produce carbon dioxide, gas, water, and salt.
This reaction is often used for that fizzing effect which is effective at cleaning or unclogging drains.
However, it is generally not recommended to mix baking soda and vinegar to create a paste.
This dilutes each ingredient’s cleaning power, making the solution less effective at removing dirt and grime.
You’re left with sodium acetate carbon dioxide, and water which are generally ineffective cleaning agents as other solutions.
Additionally, the fizzing reaction can leave a messy foam that might be difficult to wipe off.
Creating a baking soda-vinegar paste is not “dangerous” per se, but it’s just not effective. It’s best to stick with baking soda & water OR vinegar & water combinations when cleaning.
For tackling grout, a simple paste of baking soda and water is usually enough to loosen up grime.
The gentle abrasive action of baking soda helps scrub away dirt without damaging the grout, while the water provides moisture to facilitate the cleaning process.
Which Is More Effective: Cleaning With Apple Cider Or White Vinegar?
White vinegar has a higher acidity level than apple cider vinegar, so it’s more preferable than the other when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting.
This doesn’t mean to say you can’t use apple cider for cleaning— you can, but it may not be as effective for tougher stains or grime. However, if you’re not a fan of the strong vinegary smell leftover from white vinegar, you’ll find the scent of apple cider milder and more pleasant.
Is Warm Water More Effective Than Cold Water When Making A Vinegar Solution?
Yes, warm water is preferred over cold water when mixing a vinegar-cleaning solution. Think of it this way: warm water molecules are more active and energized, allowing the vinegar to be easily mixed with it.
On the other hand, cold water molecules are less mobile, making it harder for the vinegar to integrate into the water fully.
Why Is My Floor Sticky After Cleaning With Vinegar?
This is likely due to leftover residue which can happen if you use too much vinegar or do not rinse your floors thoroughly after mopping. Prevent this issue by sticking to the recommended dilution ratio (½ cup of water per 4 liters of warm water).
Do not forget to give your floors a final rinse with clean water. For stickiness that persists, try mopping again with just plain water to eliminate lingering residue.