Is distilled white vinegar the same as cleaning vinegar

Confused which vinegar is best used for what? Differencebetween.net explains the difference between the two. Reprinted with permission.

Try to look for vinegar in a local market and you would be surprised just how many kinds there are. There is a staggering 21 kinds of vinegar available commercially. That is excluding the countless home-made types. But out of the omnifarious range, distilled vinegar and white vinegar prove to be two of the most widely used. Sure, they’re both acidic, but how different really are they from one another?

White vinegar is sometimes also called spirit vinegar. Contrary to its name, it’s actually clear. It is usually produced from sugar cane. It is made by allowing sugar cane extract to go through acid fermentation. In the process, the liquid is oxidised, causing the chemicals in it to change and become more acidic.

Another way of making white vinegar is by combining acetic acid with water. This variation is much sourer than the naturally fermented type. It has 5% to 20% acetic acid content and is regarded to be stronger than any other types.

Distilled vinegar, also known as virgin vinegar, is made from just about any type, for instance rice, malt, wine, fruit, balsamic, apple cider, kiwifruit, rice, coconut, palm, cane, raisin, date, beer, honey, kombucha and many others. As its name suggests, it is distilled from ethanol. ‘Distilled’ plainly means that the liquid component is separated from the base mixture. This produces a colorless solution with nearly 5% to 8% acetic acid in water, relatively weaker than white or spirit vinegar.

Both white and distilled vinegar are used not only for cooking, but as well as for cleaning, baking, meat preservation, pickling, and sometimes even for laboratory and medicinal purposes.

Since white or spirit vinegar contains a higher percentage of acidic content, it is more ideal as a household cleaning agent. It provides an eco-friendly solution for eliminating dirt and bad odour on a wide array of materials like fabric, metal, glass, fur, tiles and many others. It can also be used as a urine-cleaner for pets, as well as a natural herbicide or weed killer. White vinegar does not contain ammonia; it thoroughly cleanses without leaving a strong and harmful smell.

Distilled vinegar, being the milder variation, is more suitable for cooking, flavouring, food additives and food preservation. Additionally, it can be used as a household remedy. For instance, it is an effective way to cure or prevent athlete’s foot and warts. It is also very helpful in relieving sunburn and prevents the skin from peeling or blistering.

Both white and distilled vinegar are available in the market. Some households produce their own by fermenting fruit juices, slightly akin to production of wine.

Summary

• White and distilled are types of vinegar. They differ fundamentally in their acetic acid content.
• White, also known as spirit vinegar, has 5% to 20% acetic acid. This is generally higher as compared to distilled vinegar’s 5%-8%.
• White is made by natural fermentation of sugar cane extract or by combining acetic acid with water. Distilled can be made from any time of vinegar, wherein more ethanol is separated from the base mixture.
• Both distilled and white can be used in cooking, cleaning, food preservation, and for medical and laboratory purposes. However, since white is stronger than its counterpart, it is more suitable for cleaning and disinfecting. Distilled vinegar, on the other hand, is better for cooking, flavouring, food preservation and as a natural home remedy.

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You probably know by now that everyday white vinegar is an effective natural cleaner to use in the home. But you may have also noticed a product labeled “Cleaning Vinegar” on the store shelf. Cleaning vinegar can tackle just about any dirty, grimy or dusty job in your home. At about $3 to $4 dollars a gallon, it’s extremely affordable. And just like other types of vinegar you’re used to, it’s nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Most brands earn the top safety rating from Environmental Working Group. Read on to find out everything you need to know about cleaning vinegar.

Is There a Difference Between Cleaning Vinegar and White Vinegar?

The reason cleaning vinegar is more effective than white vinegar for cleaning purposes comes down to acidity level. The acid in vinegar is what cuts through grease and grime, removes sticky residue and fights soap scum. White vinegar has 5 percent acidity; while cleaning vinegar, on the other hand, has 6 percent. Although it’s only a one percent difference in acidity, it actually results in cleaning vinegar being 20 percent stronger than white vinegar.

How to Use Cleaning Vinegar

Cleaning vinegar can be used undiluted or mixed with water, depending on the job. For tough stains on fabric furniture or clothes, use cleaning vinegar alone on a sponge or rag to wipe away the spot. (Spot test a small area first, as vinegar is too strong for some delicate fabrics.) Undiluted cleaning vinegar can irritate your skin or nails, though, so be sure to wear gloves.

For everyday cleaning jobs, diluted cleaning vinegar will get the job done. Make an all-purpose cleaner by combining two-parts cleaning vinegar and one-part water in a spray bottle. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. This DIY cleaner is great for countertops, sinks, bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, and even windows. If you have an extra dirty job to tackle, like a greasy stove top, use the same spray bottle solution but add one tablespoon of dish soap for extra cleaning power; then shake to combine.

When Not to Use Cleaning Vinegar

It’s safe to use cleaning vinegar almost anywhere, but because of its strong acidity; it can cause damage to some surfaces. It is not recommended to use cleaning vinegar—or white vinegar, for that matter—on natural stone, waxed wood, cast iron or aluminum.

While it’s true that undiluted cleaning vinegar is great for killing some germs, including E. coli, be cautious when using it for disinfectant purposes. Vinegar is not recommended as a disinfectant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because it’s ineffective at getting rid of some types of harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella.

Where to Buy Cleaning Vinegar

You can find cleaning vinegar at home improvement and discount stores and at many grocery stores, right next to the white vinegar. There’s no difference between the generic store brand, or name brands, like Heinz. You can also purchase cleaning vinegar on Amazon.

Up next, check out these money saving vinegar cleaning hacks.

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