Vinegar is great for many types of grime, but it can also ruin some pricy items around your home and car.
17 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Published on May 20, 2025
1
/
17
Stone Countertops
Vinegar is acidic, so over time it can etch and dull the finish of natural stone countertops, including granite and marble. It also breaks down the sealants, leaving the surface more vulnerable to stains. “We’ve seen people use vinegar daily on granite and, months later, wonder why it lost its shine,” says Alicia Sokolowski of AspenClean. “They think that because it’s natural, it’s gentle enough for stone. But it’s not.”
Instead, use mild soap and water or a pH-neutral cleaner specifically made for stone.
2
/
17
Egg Spills
Don’t automatically spray vinegar on all kitchen messes, especially raw eggs. It will make them coagulate and turn into a gummy mess that’s harder to clean. “It feels like vinegar should work here, but trust us, it mostly just turns cleanup into a sticky nightmare,” says Sokolowski. Instead, scoop up the egg, then clean the area with dish soap and water.
3
/
17
Electronic Screens
Never clean phone, TV and laptop screens with vinegar. The acid can degrade their protective coating, causing cloudiness or streaks.
“It’s a common mistake to use a vinegar and water mix on microfiber cloths to clean smudges,” says Sokolowski. “We’ve ruined one too many screen coatings before learning that harsh doesn’t mean effective.”
Instead, lightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with a screen-safe cleaner or distilled water.
4
/
17
Stainless Steel Appliances
Over time, the acid in vinegar can dull or etch the surface of stainless steel. “It likely won’t happen after one or two uses, but repeatedly cleaning with vinegar can strip away the protective finish, leaving you with cloudy streaks or even rust spots,” says Riley. “I’ve seen this often where my clients are trying to do the right thing by going the natural route.”
Instead, for weekly cleaning of stainless steel appliances like dishwashers or refrigerators, just use a few drops of soap in warm water with a soft cloth. Wipe with the grain and dry it afterward to get a streak-free finish.
5
/
17
Dishwashers
A common mistake is to run cycles with vinegar weekly to deodorize or descale, but eventually, that will create leaks and mildew traps.
“This might seem like an out-of-the box one, but it’s really important to remember that vinegar is harsh on rubber,” says Angie Kreller, an interior designer at Yabby. “Over time, it can degrade the seals and gaskets, especially in appliances.”
It’s okay to do it once in while to freshen things up, but for a gentler clean, it’s best to stick to manufacturer-recommended cleaners or baking soda.
6
/
17
Washing Machines
Vinegar will also degrade the rubber seals on washing machines. “It’s a common mistake to do weekly vinegar rinse cycles, thinking it helps with detergent buildup,” says Sokolowski. “Some use vinegar and swear by it, but manufacturers are clear: it’s usually not a long-term win for your machine.”
Instead, use a washer cleaner made for front-loaders, or simply hot water and baking soda monthly.
7
/
17
Clothes Iron
Never pour vinegar into the water reservoir to descale and clean your iron, as it can corrode internal parts and damage steam vents. “Once the steam function goes weird on your iron, it’s usually a one-way trip,” says Sokolowski. “Pro tip, check your iron’s manual. Many say no vinegar, and believe that even if a DIY blogs suggest otherwise.”
8
/
17
Wood Floors
If you have a hardwood floor, never mix vinegar into your mop solution, since the acid will damage the finish over time, stripping protective wax finishes, drying out the wood and leaving floors cloudy or tacky.
“At best it will make the finish look dull, but at worst, it can stop the floor from being waterproof, which can lead to swelling and buckling,” says Nathaly “Aminah” Viera of InspireClean. “Though many DIY blogs recommend it, you’ll find many manufacturers advise against it.”
Instead, use cleaners designed for wood that are pH-balanced and non-stripping, and a slightly damp mop.
9
/
17
Wooden Furniture
Similarly to wood floors, wooden furniture, plus anything with a waxy coating, is a no-no when it comes to cleaning with vinegar.
“I made the mistake of cleaning my wood furniture with a vinegar-and-water solution to get it to shine, and it turned into a matte, streaky mess instead,” says Scott Schrader, a cleaning expert at CottageCare. “Wood should be cleaned with specific wood cleaner or a mild soap solution.”
10
/
17
Leather Seats and Sofas
Whether it’s a couch or your vehicle’s seats, don’t get vinegar near it. It will strip the essential oils from the leather, leaving it dry, stiff and prone to cracking. “Stick to a leather cleaner and conditioner,” says Parham Koukia, lead detailer at Panda Hub. “These products are balanced to clean gently and restore softness and durability.”
11
/
17
Aluminum or Cast Iron Pans
Avoid soaking metal pans in vinegar to remove stubborn stains or rust. “The vinegar reacts with aluminum, causing pitting and dark spots,” says Sokolowski. “On cast iron, it also strips the seasoning.”
Instead, for cast iron, use coarse salt and a scrub brush. Opt for a gentler acid like lemon juice, but still use that sparingly on aluminum. “We love vinegar, but if you’ve ever had to re-season a skillet because you cleaned it with vinegar, you know the pain,” she says.
12
/
17
Knives
Especially on carbon steel and non-stainless-steel cutlery, vinegar’s acid can dull blades and cause rust, so avoid soaking knives in vinegar to remove rust or odors.
“A rusty chef’s knife is basically the most painful kitchen heartbreak,” says Sokolowski. Instead, use a stainless-safe cleaner and dry immediately after washing.
13
/
17
Swimming Pools
If you have a pool, never use vinegar as a cleaner or a substitute for chlorine. “While vinegar can help with things like cleaning mineral deposits, it can also negatively disrupt the pH of your pool,” says Jeremy Yamaguchi of Cabana Pool Service. “It also just is not an effective substitute for chlorine.”
Beyond that, when vinegar and chlorine combine, the reaction can form chloroacetic acid, which can cause significant skin irritation and stain pool toys and bathing suits.
14
/
17
Car Exteriors
Never use vinegar to clean outside portions of your vehicle. It breaks down the wax and pulls the oil from the clear coat, making the surface look dull and uneven. It also reduces the hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties.
“Vinegar is a big no for a car’s paint,” says Koukia. “The Internet is flooded with recommendations for cleaning hard water spots with vinegar, but undiluted vinegar or improper use means you are trading one problem for another!”
15
/
17
Vehicle Touchscreens
Steer clear of introducing vinegar to touchscreens and infotainment systems, as it will damage their anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings.
“Since diluted vinegar is recommended by some brands like Samsung and Acer to clean the laptop and desktop screens, people often think it is the same for the car screens,” says Koukia. “The truth is, infotainment screens often use different materials with more delicate coatings, which can be easily damaged by the use of vinegar. The screen will look perpetually smudged and can become less responsive over time.”
Instead, stick to a microfiber cloth and a screen-safe cleaner for touchscreens. Also, always apply the spray to the cloth, not directly on the screen.
16
/
17
Vehicle Seals and Dashboards
Rubber seals, such as those around the car doors, will degrade and crack faster if you use vinegar on them regularly, causing them to not insulate and protect as they should. Vinegar will also dry out synthetic materials like interior plastics and trim, making them look chalky or faded.
“It can be more harsh on dashboard plastics, as these areas are already taking a sun bath, and vinegar just adds more flavors to their deterioration,” says Koukia. “I once had a customer bring in a car where the dashboard looked like a dried-out river bed. Turned out she’d been wiping the interior with undiluted vinegar every weekend!”
Instead, use a mild detergent or pH-neutral interior cleaner on the dash, trim and other plastics, which will keep them looking supple and new. For seals, get a rubber-safe cleaner. For additional protection, you can also condition them with silicone grease.
17
/
17
Vehicle Windows
While vinegar may clean glass well, using vinegar as a cheap windshield cleaner isn’t a great idea, because if it gets on the car’s paint, plastic trim or the rubber windshield seal, it can damage them.
“It’s just not worth it,” says Sokolowski. “Vinegar can fade car paint, damage wax and dry out rubber surfaces.” Instead, use cleaners made for automotive glass, since they’re formulated not to degrade materials.
About the Experts
- Alicia Sokolowski is President/CEO of AspenClean, a green cleaning company and products manufacturer in Vancouver, British Columbia. Via hope.
- Parham Koukia is lead detailer and operations manager at Panda Hub in Toronto. He has spent more than a decade mastering the art of car detailing, after turning his passion for automobiles into his profession.
- Angie Kreller is an interior designer at Yabby, where she works closely with kitchens and bathrooms, talking clients through what products to use to keep their finishes looking good for the long haul.
- Scott Schrader is a cleaning expert at CottageCare, a leading home cleaning company with over 41 locations nationwide, where he’s worked for two decades.
- Nathaly “Aminah” Viera is head of Marketing and Innovation at InspireClean, a women-owned house cleaning service in Southern Ontario, Canada.
- Jeremy Yamaguchi is CEO at Cabana Pool Service, a residential and commercial pool cleaning company serving much of Southern California.
- Taylor Riley is a partner at AMR US Commercial Cleaning of Maryland. He is also a member of the Building Service Contractors Association International.
