What makes vinegar a disinfectant

Disinfectants are used to clean surfaces that come in contact with lots of dangerous germs that people can spread through touch and bodily fluids. Vinegar is not on that list. Although it is not on the list of registered disinfectants, vinegar does have some disinfecting qualities. Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid and water.

According to a study by the University of North Carolina , acetic acid can lower the amount of bacteria and viruses on a surface, but it cannot lower them by The study also showed that household disinfectants made with bleach or alcohol solutions greatly outperform vinegar at killing germs. One study showed that vinegar combated E. Like the process of cleaning, vinegar can lift or break down some bacteria and viruses along with the dirt and debris it removes.

Compared to disinfectant products, vinegar will not do as good of a job and it will not kill SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogens. United States. Type keyword s to search.

Today's Top Stories. Taraji P. Accessible Beauty Products For All. So, is vinegar really a disinfectant? Cleaning Tips. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Here's what you need to know about using vinegar to disinfect your home. If you're no stranger to making your own cleaning products, you've probably referred to vinegar at some point or another for a cheap and natural ingredient.

According to Insider , one of the main ingredients in vinegar is called acetic acid, and it's effective for breaking down dirt , killing certain types of germs, and wiping away grime. However, it may not be able to kill the coronavirus. While the EPA has tested and proven that certain household items — like bleach — kill bacteria and viruses, vinegar doesn't necessarily pass the test.

In fact, soap and water are reportedly recommended over vinegar as disinfectants. While good old-fashioned soap and water is reportedly OK to use on its own, there are several highly effective and all-natural substances that can also be used to kill the coronavirus.

According to Consumer Reports , isopropyl alcohol — or any alcohol solution with at least 70 percent alcohol — can fight the virus when applied to hard surfaces for at least of 30 seconds. Apparently, household hydrogen peroxide is also suitable for fighting viruses — it can reportedly kill the Rhinovirus in only six to eight minutes, which is far more difficult to dismantle than the coronavirus.

Keep reading to learn whether or not vinegar is a disinfectant. White vinegar is truly a miracle worker. It's perplexing how the same ingredient can be used to dye eggs , clean grease, and preserve foods. So what is this pantry staple actually made of? Vinegar is a solution comprised of 5 to 10 percent acetic acid and 90 to 95 percent water.

Acetic acid is made through a process of fermentation, where ethanol alcohol is processed by tons of microorganisms. Anything that has alcohol in it can make vinegar — wine, hard cider, and more. White vinegar is made from a vodka-like spirit distilled from grain. Vinegar's acidic nature is used to balance out creamy or fatty flavors in cooking, preventing dishes from becoming too heavy. But its uses go even beyond the kitchen. Today we're looking at the question: is vinegar a disinfectant?

Here's what you need to know.