Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf874210.tip.html

Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

I am a big fan of natural, non-toxic cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar. My question is, can you use vinegar to kill germs? For example, would vinegar be sufficient to kill germs from raw meat on your counter? Also, I am assuming that vinegar is totally non-toxic - please let me know if this is not correct! Thanks.

Ann in Mint Hill

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RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

I am allergic to chlorine and any other "chemical"... I LOVE swimming, but due to my allergies (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) i cannot swim in any pool that uses chemicals. what would you reccomend to use in replacing the pool-cleaning chemicals (chlorine, bromine, ect.) with something natural in a backyard pool- either a vinyl or a hard wall octagonal-like thing that you can buy??? what sort of ratio would you suggest? please help me get back to swimming in pools in the winter time (in my own back yard...) i have heard of using ozone, but i think for a "backyard opperation" that would be irrelistic. if you could just give me the heads up on several NATURAL germ/bacteria/virus killers, that would be much appreciated. if anyone reding this has a suggestion, please e-mail me at kd_vs._kfc (at) hotmail.com

thanks, KD

Post By Keven Deott (Guest Post)

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

will vinegar kill the ecoli bacteria?

Post By Patty (Guest Post)

Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

First of all, spraying any product, wether its vinegar, or a hospital grade quat. disinfectant, onto a surface, and wiping it off, is not going to kill anything. All disinfectants need at least a 10 minute kill time, before you can wipe them off. Second of all, vinegar and disinfectants have 0 cleaning capabilities, they do not penetrate a surface, or loosen soils. There is a huge difference between cleaning and disinfecting, they are 2 seperate things all together. Using a good cleaning product, and doing a good job of cleaning, removes 98% of all bacteria. Thirdly, there is a huge differenc between a disinfectant, antibacterial, and sanitizer. Vinegar may be a good sanitizer, or antibacterial at best, but it is not a disinfectant.

Post By Natalie (Guest Post)

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

I work for a commercial cleaning agency and I found that using vinegar to rid indoor brick of a dusty appearance caused by soap residue seems to work best. However I would like to know is there a ratio of vinegar to water that can be used in over a 1000 sq ft area? This is simply to help with cost.

Post By John (Guest Post)

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to know I can use the vinegar to kill germs. My countertops aren't anything special so I don't worry about harming them...maybe something like marble would be a problem. I've never had a problem with it damaging anything. I've poured it full strength on carpet and upholstered furniture (when napping children have wet the furniture) and it's never done anything to the fabric.

Post By Ann in Mint Hill (Guest Post)

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

for mkymlp
I don't believe vinegar should hurt your counter top even if left on for 5 minutes. You do not need to use it full strength however. I would think 1 part water to 1 part vinegar would be a good disinfectant. If you know the manufacterer of the counter top you may want to google them to see if they have a website. Often they have cleaning tips or even a support number or email address where you can contact them.

Susan from ThriftyFun

Post by ThriftyFun

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

If you use a chopping board for all raw meat, (kept solely for that purpose - do not mix chopping boards for cooked and raw foods), you can wash it in very hot water with detergent and then just wipe over with vinegar if you want - but this should not be necessary as long as all food residue and fat is scrubbed off in very hot water. Allow to dry thoroughly following cleaning.

Regards

Jo

Post by Jo Bodey

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

Is vinegar sprayed directly on a laminate surface, such as the kitchen counter, and then left to stand for 5 or more minutes harmful to the counter top? It seems like it would be too harsh to use undiluted.

Post by mkymlp

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

Vinegar is a wonderful cleaner; but, there are two options I would suggest. 1st: spray the vinegar on the area that you want and let it sit 5 minutes and wipe that off and then spray hydrogen peroxide and do the same thing. separately sprayed on they kill germs well. mixed together they are not as effective. 2: my recommendation and what I use, I add a tsp of tea tree essential oil to a sprayer bottle of about 1 cup of water. shake each time before you use it. Tea tree oil kills just about everything. Ecoli and salmonella. And it smells clean as well and you only have the one step.

Post by sshep

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In The Kitchen

Here is just one site I found that says vinegar kills germs. I had heard about a study that proved this a few years ago...so use it without guilt!!!
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/164

Post by Luvyabye

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