Whether you’re maintaining your home or finding yourself in a rush to ready your property for sale, there are a few cleaning best practices that will always serve you well.
The miraculous qualities of vinegar is often cited as an ideal cleaning solution, but did you know there are situations where it should never be used?
Our best advice is to always pre-test a cleaning solution before you use it on furnishing, wooden floors and carpets. Below, however, we’ve listed a few no-go areas for vinegar.
Acid wash
Vinegar is an acid-based cleaner and it will strip away varnishes and other chemical finishes. You must be selective with where you decide to use it.
Toxic combo
Don’t mix vinegar and bleach in any situation. It creates a horrible smell or gas that can be harmful to you and others.
Benchtops
Splashing vinegar over your granite or marble benchtops will wreck the surface sheen, delivering a worryingly dull finish. Worse, white and cream surfaces could discolour.
Waxed furnishings
Being acidic, vinegar will strip away wax. Again, you’ll end with a dull finish, sometimes it can be patchy.
Anything wood
Whether it’s a hardwood floor or the wood of your living room furniture, keep vinegar well away. Varnish doesn’t stand a chance against an acidic cleaner.
Stone tiles
Stone and slate tiles will have a sealer or varnish, but not if you put vinegar in your bucket and start mopping.
Dishwasher
What could possibly go wrong? Well, the inside of your dishwasher will likely be sparkly, but you’ll risk breaking down the rubber seals. Stick to commercial solutions to clean your machine.
A plus-side