Distilled white vinegar is made by oxidizing grain alcohol (similar to vodka), which results in bacteria growth and acetic acid. It’s colorless, unlike ACV, and is relatively stronger than ACV as well. Plus, white vinegar is slightly more acidic, making it a stronger cleaner. And though it’s not a true disinfectant, white vinegar does have antimicrobial properties. “ACV has a lot of benefits, especially healthwise,” Harris adds, “but when it comes to using it as a cleaner, I prefer white.” The one advantage ACV has over white vinegar is the scent; Harris notes once the initial smell fades, it leaves a pleasant sweet scent. You don’t get that with white vinegar, but you can always add some essential oils to help mitigate the smell. From there, you can tackle everything from the microwave to the bathtub. Spray anywhere with visible grime and wipe clean, like your faucets, bathtub, shower, gunky scissors, stainless-steel appliances, and more. You can run your washing machine and dishwasher with vinegar inside to freshen it up and even use it as a window cleaner. It’s also an effective carpet spot cleaner when you spray it on top of a stain sprinkled with baking soda. The list truly goes on and on! The bottom line is, both ACV and white vinegar are excellent to have on hand, but ACV might be best kept in the kitchen for cooking. When it comes time to get scrubbing, white vinegar can tackle just about any task on your chore list.
