There are two types of vinegar. One is natural or brewed and other is synthetic or non-brewed. We recommend the natural brewed vinegar types which are safe for cooking, cleaning, and as organic herbicides. However, the 20% vinegar is a synthetic vinegar that can be used as an herbicide, but it is better to avoid in cooking and house cleaning since it can be toxic to breath and on the skin or eyes. 

Brewed Vinegars:

White vinegar: Used as cleaning agent, laundry additive, and non-toxic herbicide.

Vinegars from fermentation of fruits: Used for cooking and to apply on skin and hair.

Vinegars from fermentation of fruits such as apple cider vinegar are better to be chosen organic, unfiltered, and unprocessed as supposed to its totally clear option. They also provide heathy benefits when ingested.

Here are 5 recipes for cleaning and disinfecting produce

Mix to disinfect fruits and vegetables

1 cup of white distilled vinegar

1 cup of purified water

2 table spoon of sodium bicarbonate 

Juice from 2 lemons

Mix ingredients and adjust quantities to have enough solution to cover fruits or vegetables fully for 15-20 minutes after they are well rinsed with potable water.

Mix to disinfect fruits and vegetables

10% of apple sider vinegar or distilled white vinegar 

90% of purified water

 Mix ingredients and adjust quantities to have enough solution to cover fruits or vegetables fully for 10 minutes after they are well rinsed with potable water.

Cleaning mix

Equal parts of distilled white vinegar and potable water on a spray bottle to spray over any smooth surfaces around the house including kitchen and bathroom, then wipe them up with paper towel.  

Cleaning mix

1 part lemon juice

1 part white vinegar

2 part water

Mix in a spray bottle to spray in any smooth surface. The mixture typically eliminates 99% of bacteria from surfaces. However, it might not eliminate some virus such as staphylococcus or salmonella. For deeper cleaner, sanitize area also with recipe number 5. Do not combine the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide on the same bottle. Cleaning can be done in any order using both, 4 and 5 mixes.   

Cleaning Mix

1 table spoon of hydrogen peroxide

1 liter of purified water

Mix can be used by itself to disinfect fruits and vegetables by submerging them in the solution for about 10 minutes. This mix can also be used in a spray bottle to clean an area or in combination with straight vinegar or the solution on number 4. Do not mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide on same container. Leave both solutions on surface for several minutes to sanitize area.

We hope you find these tips as safe alternatives to clean fruits, vegetables and areas around the house. Use the following links to learn more and to look for more uses of vinegar.

Additional Resources

https://espanol.mercola.com/boletin-de-salud/vinagre-como-limpiador-no-toxico.aspx

https://www.laurodriguez.com/como-desinfectar-frutas-y-verduras/

https://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-Vinegar-Cleaning-Solution

https://www.mnn.com/health/healthy-spaces/stories/disinfectants-a-guide-to-killing-germs-the-right-way