My Dear Reader and Cleaning Enthusiasts,
When I think about my pantry or cleaning staples, vinegar is on both of my lists. It's great for degreasing dishes (both hand-washed and dishwasher) tackling grimy floors, and even can be used as a fabric softener, it's a natural cleaning powerhouse. In fact, when I was younger, I have memories of my grandmother using a vinegar rinse on my hair after ever shower! I begged her to stop when my closest friend told me one day that I smelled like salad dressing.
Although vinegar can be used on many surfaces, did you know that mixing vinegar with certain products can create a toxic mess, transforming your cleaning routine from a green dream to a hazardous nightmare? Before we go through the list of products you should not mix with vinegar, let's hop into our time machine, back to high school to best understand why.
What is the pH of Vinegar?
Vinegar's pH is about 2.4 - 3 making it quite acidic. This high level of acidity makes it a great cleaner for dissolving hard water stains, calcium deposits. soap scum and mildew and it even kills bacteria. Although it has a strong sent, it will disappear when it dries. Something to note about vinegar is that it is not good for every surface, and with its high acidity level, it is advisable to use gloves when cleaning.
What is the pH of Castile Soap?
Whole Naturals Castile Soap falls between 9-10. Which means that it's "basic / alkaline". It also means that it's totally safe for the skin, works as effective cleaners and will give you great lather.
The Big No-Nos: When Vinegar Turns Vicious
When it comes to effective cleaning, you want to avoid combining "acids" with "alkalines". Let's talk about specific cleaning products that should NOT be combined with vinegar.
Products you should not mixed with vinegar | Why? |
Bleach | A recipe for chlorine gas. This is the king of dangerous combinations. Combining vinegar's acetic acid with bleach creates chlorine gas. Exposure can cause eye irritation, coughing, and even difficulty breathing. |
Ammonia (including "blue" window cleaners) | Mixing vinegar with ammonia produces irritating fumes that can burn your eyes, throat, and lungs. |
Hydrogen Peroxide | While both are great disinfectants on their own, mixing them can create peracetic acid. This can irritate the skin and eyes, and isn't necessarily more effective than using them separately |
Baking Soda (with reservations) | This bubbly duo is generally safe, but not ideal for a cleaning solution. The vinegar neutralizes the cleaning power of baking soda, making it less effective. However, using them one after another for different cleaning tasks is perfectly fine. |
Castile Soap | Castile soap is made with oil, so mixing it with will result in a white, curdled solution that might leave behind a sticky film. |
Staying Safe and Sparkling Clean
Read labels carefully! Many cleaning products warn against mixing with vinegar.
Never mix cleaning products in a closed container. Fumes can build up and explode.
Open windows for ventilation whenever using strong cleaning products, even alone.
If you accidentally mix vinegar and another product, evacuate the area immediately and open all windows. Do not attempt to clean up the mixture yourself. Contact poison control for further guidance.
The Takeaway
Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaning agent, but it's important to know its limits. In contrast, Whole Naturals Castile Soap has even more versatility than vinegar - without the risk. You can safely and efficiently use Whole Naturals in every corner of your home, no gloves, masks or safety goggles necessary. Powerful enough to cut through grease, yet gentle enough to clean your soft skin, it can be customized for all of your cleaning needs.
It's important to keeping your cleaning routine green and, more importantly, safe!
Cheers!
