How Vinegar Cleans
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Vinegar Overview
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White distilled vinegar is a strong and effective cleanser. It has a variety of uses around the house including scouring, cleansing, polishing and disinfecting. Vinegar has been used for years as an economical and environmentally friendly way to keep a house clean and hygienic. Most vinegar is made from fermented grain such as corn.
The Acidity of Vinegar
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Vinegar works to clean and disinfect due to its high level of acidity. The acids in vinegar are considered high enough to be an effective antiseptic. Vinegar is a strong germ-killer when applied in both diluted and undiluted forms. The pH level of most white vinegar is 2.4, which is slightly less acidic than lemon juice. As a comparison, water has a pH level of 7, meaning that it is neutral, while baking soda has a pH level of 8.4. The higher the pH level, the more alkaline a substance becomes.
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Vinegar Uses Around the House
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Vinegar has many uses around the house. Use a mixture of vinegar diluted with water to clean counter surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. Make a paste out of vinegar, liquid detergent and baking soda to use as a scrubbing compound for tile work and stainless steel fixtures. Vinegar can be used to deodorize as well. Boil a small pan of vinegar on the stove to remove cooking smells from the air. Add a cup of vinegar to a load of laundry for extra cleaning power. The strong smell associated with vinegar disappears as vinegar dries.
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