Apple Cider Vinegar Versus White Vinegar: Which is Better for Cleaning?

Most health and toxin-conscious people adore apple cider vinegar (aka: ACV) for cooking, personal care, and even as a supplement.

Many have also banished plain white vinegar from their homes after discovering it comes from grain alcohol and is NOT a healing food.

So, when we recommend distilled white vinegar for cleaning it can create confusion. 

After all, they’re both vinegars, so why not use the ACV you already have in your cupboard? 

In this article, we’re clearing up the confusion by explaining the difference between the two vinegars for cleaning and why we recommend white vinegar more often.

Apple Cider Vinegar vs. White Vinegar For Cleaning

Commercially produced apple cider vinegar and white vinegar both contain about 5% acetic acid with 95% water.

It is the natural acetic acid that dissolves dirt, grease, and grime, descales, softens clothing, and does all the wonderful things vinegars do as a natural cleaners.

So you could use either to clean your home.

However, distilled white vinegar has some distinct benefits, including:

• It’s less expensive, especially if you buy in bulk.
• Cleaning white vinegar is more concentrated. White vinegar designed for cleaning, known as “cleaning vinegar” is a 6% concentration versus 5%, which equates to about 20% more strength than 5% ACV. 
• Note, you do not have to use cleaning vinegar for cleaning. Plain white vinegar works just fine.
• It’s clear, which makes it appropriate for upholstery and fabrics. Apple cider vinegar is more of an amber color, which may stain fabrics or discolor them over time.
• It’s debris-free: High-quality apple cider usually has some lumps floating around known as “the mother”, or active culture. This is good for humans, but not so much for cleaning (think clogged nozzles and debris on surfaces).
• It’s been proven to have sanitizing properties. Although not technically a sanitizer, white vinegar has been shown effective on listeria, salmonella, and E. Coli.

There are also benefits of cleaning with apple cider vinegar, including:

• Scent. While both vinegars smell like vinegar when sprayed, ACV leaves a sweeter smell once it's sat for a few moments.
• Convenience. If you always keep a big bottle of ACV around, it may be more convenient to use it for cleaning versus buying a separate bottle of distilled white vinegar.
• Storage: Apple cider vinegar usually comes in glass bottles, which are more eco-friendly than the plastic bottles used in most types of distilled white vinegar.
• Quality: If you can afford to use it for cleaning, organic, non-GMO ACV is a better quality product overall and more eco-friendly in terms of how it's sourced. However, for many people it is cost-prohibitive to use it for cleaning versus white vinegar. If cost is an issue, we’d recommend saving your high quality, raw, organic ACV for cooking versus cleaning.

Overall, distilled white vinegar is more versatile and affordable for cleaning, which is why we usually recommend it versus apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Even though we consider white vinegar more diverse in its applications, apple cider vinegar is also an excellent product for natural cleaning.

The most important things to remember are: 

• Avoid using ACV on fabrics or surfaces where it could stain,
• And strain it first if it contains debris (“the mother”).

Also, like white vinegar, apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid which is a lung irritant when sprayed. Avoid spraying around infants, young children, or anyone with lung disease.

Ways to Clean with Apple Cider Vinegar

You use apple cider vinegar the same way as white vinegar, either “neat” or diluted 50:50 with water to make an all-purpose cleaner.

We typically recommend diluting ACV with water for use on surfaces, tubs, sinks, to wash produce, etc. Straight vinegar may be used on cutting boards or to cut through grease.

Here are some ways to use ACV for natural cleaning.

Washing Windows

Use a 50:50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water to wash your windows.

To use:

1. Dust your windows with a dry cloth.
2. Spray on the ACV mixture.
3. Wipe from bottom to top.
4. Buff clean.

Natural deodorizer

Apple cider vinegar makes a wonderful and all-natural room and appliance deodorizer.

To use: 

• Place a bowl of undiluted ACV in a room or your refrigerator in a safe and inconspicuous place (if you have children or pets be sure to place this out of reach). 
• Replace every couple of weeks or as-needed to absorb odors.

Related Reading: 7 Non-Toxic Air Fresheners And How To Remove Odors Naturally

All-Purpose Cleaner

ACV makes a wonderful all-purpose DIY cleaner. 

To make:

• Add equal parts strained ACV with water into a spray bottle.
• Shake and you’re ready to clean surfaces, sinks, tubs, and more.

Get more tips on how to use apple cider vinegar around in the home in:

• How To Clean And Care For Vinyl Plank Flooring Naturally
• How To Keep Produce Fresher Longer [Complete Guide]
• How To Detox Your Armpits And Switch To A Non-Toxic Deodorant

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

There are numerous benefits to using apple cider vinegar over traditional synthetic-based cleaners, including:

• It's super effective on grease, hard water stains, grime, and other messes
• Its all-natural and safe (just take care when using as a spray)
• It has proven antimicrobial properties, although it has mostly been studied as a functional food/supplement in humans and not on surfaces. However, its 5% acetic acid content suggests it’s effective on some germs
• It does not contain any harsh synthetic chemicals like phthalates, surfactants, bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde donors, or other ingredients
• It’s affordable compared to most premade cleaning products
• It has multiple uses beyond cleaning for recipes, nutrition, skin care, body care, hair care, pet care, and much more

As you may know, apple cider vinegar is legendary in the food as medicine community for its many health benefits.

You can learn more about these along with some tasty recipes in:

• 10 Day Stay Food As Medicine Recipes
• 10 Ways To Rebuild And Support Your HCL Levels
• A Peek Inside Allison’s Pantry

ACV lovers tip: If you plan on using ACV for cleaning, consumption, and other DIY products we recommend buying it in bulk to save money. Bragg is a great brand that is offered by the gallon in various brick and mortar and online stores.

White Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar, the cheap stuff you find in the grocery stores (which we do NOT recommend for eating!) is our overall pick for best cleaning vinegar.

As mentioned previously, you can also find “cleaning vinegar” which is a slightly stronger version (6%) of plain white vinegar. 

However, we’ve found plain white vinegar works just fine for cleaning, so the choice is yours.

Ways to Clean with White Vinegar

As we’ve outlined in numerous articles, white vinegar is one of the most versatile natural cleaning, descaling, deodorizing, grease-fighting, stain-removing, all-purpose, fabric softening natural cleaning substances.

Here are a few, of many, ways to use it in your home.

Related reading: 12 ways to use vinegar in your home

Removing Stains

White vinegar is an incredible natural stain remover that works on most types of stains without harmful chemicals.

Some examples of stains that can be treated with vinegar include:

• Grease and oil 
• Tomato
• Chocolate
• Mustard
• Sweat stains
• Grass stains
• Marker
• Coffee and tea stains
• Stains on faux leather

How to use:

Get specific instructions by clicking the links above.

General use:

• Treat stains by removing as much as the stain as possible by blotting or rinsing then treating with a 50:50 mixture of white vinegar and water.
• Let dwell for at least 15 minutes.
• Rinse and repeat if necessary.

You can also use vinegar as a soaking aid by adding 1 cup to a basin of water, then soak the stain for 15 minutes to several hours.

Straight vinegar or a 50:50 mixture with water is usually enough to remove these types of stains. 

However, it can also be paired with baking soda or Branch Basics Oxygen Boost for more stain-removing power.

Revive White Laundry 

White vinegar is often touted for its all-purpose cleaning power, but did you know it’s also incredible in the laundry room?

In addition to its stain-fighting power, adding 1 cup of white vinegar to your wash will act as a bleach alternative to whiten and brighten your clothing.

It also naturally softens fabrics and the smell will dissipate as the clothes dry.

Related reading: 7 Human-Safe And Environmentally Safe Laundry Bleach Alternatives

Polishing Chrome And Brass

A simple 50:50 mixture of vinegar and water makes the perfect solution for cleaning chrome and brass fixtures, decoratives, and keepsakes.

To use:

1. Mix up equal parts vinegar and water.
2. Dip a cloth into the mixture and rub slowly onto the brass or chrome.
3. Rinse with water.
4. Buff clean.
5. Repeat if necessary to break up mineral deposits.

Benefits of White Vinegar

In our opinion, the benefits of white vinegar are exclusive to cleaning, as we do not consider it a healing or a healthy food.

The benefits of vinegar for cleaning include:

• It’s ultra-versatile.
• It contains no harsh chemicals and is usually appropriate for people with sensitive skin.
• It can be used alone or combined with other natural cleaning products, like baking soda.
• Note: vinegar should never be combined with hydrogen peroxide, as they will create a toxic gas. It is OK to use vinegar and peroxide separately (clean with one, remove completely, then apply the other) and stored in separate bottles for disinfecting, as outlined in: How To Naturally Disinfect Surfaces: Complete Guide.
• Although not a disinfectant, white vinegar has natural sanitizing properties, making it a great kitchen cleaner.
• It dissolves mineral deposits, making it an effective descaler.
• It’s inexpensive and easy to find.

In summary, white vinegar is a winner for natural cleaning and laundry!

FAQ About Cleaning With Apple Cider Vinegar And White Vinegar

Now that we’ve covered the basics, we’ll answer some FAQs.

Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead of White Vinegar for Cleaning?

In most cases, yes. However, apple cider vinegar is not recommended for fabrics, carpets, upholstery, or laundry since its color may stain or make clothing appear dingy over time.

Does It Matter What Type Of Apple Cider Vinegar I Use For Cleaning?

Although we recommend choosing organic raw apple cider vinegar with the mother (active culture) in glass bottles for cooking and consumption, any 5% ACV will do for cleaning.

Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead of White Vinegar to Clean a Washing Machine?

Yes. Apple cider vinegar is effective for cleaning and descaling your washing machine. Just make sure it’s 5% and that it’s strained or does not contain “the mother”.

Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead of White Vinegar to Clean Fruit?

You bet! Either ACV or white vinegar will work for cleaning fruit and other produce.

Related reading: 3 Best (& Natural) Produce Wash Recipes.

Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar Instead of White Vinegar in Branch Basics Natural Disinfecting Method?

Yes. 

Since ACV has 5% acetic acid (like white vinegar) and has been shown to have some antimicrobial properties, we’re fine with using it in our disinfecting procedure, alongside hydrogen peroxide (used separately and stored in separate bottles to prevent creation of toxic gas).

Get the full tutorial in: How To Naturally Disinfect Surfaces: Complete Guide

Freshen Your Home With Branch Basics

We love vinegar for cleaning, and we also like to switch it up and/or complement it with Branch Basics.

Like ACV and white vinegar, Branch Basics is an ultra-versatile natural, human-safe, synthetic-chemical-free, and affordable cleaning line.

What makes it exceptional is it’s designed to replace every single cleaner and laundry product in your home with just one, Made Safe Certified, plant- and mineral-based Concentrate! 

Simply add water to create All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, and Laundry Soap.

And did we mention they’re affordable? Just one bottle of Branch Basics Concentrate, plus water, makes:

• 3 bottles of All-Purpose at $3.09 each
• 3 bottles of Bathroom at $6.18 each
• 3 bottles of Streak-Free at $0.49 each (for real!)
• 64 Loads of Laundry at $0.26 per load
• 3 bottles of Foaming Wash at $3.09 each

Plus, our products are third-party tested as non-skin and eye irritants and do not contain acetic acid, making them safe for the whole family, including babies, pets, and the ultra-sensitive.

To learn more about how Branch Basics all-in-one cleaning system works (including a video tutorial), see: How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit.

Ready to try us out? Branch Basics Premium Starter Kits, available in refillable plastic or glass bottles, have everything you need (Concentrate, refillable bottles, and Oxygen Boost) to get started with safer, more natural cleaning, laundry, and more.

For more educational resources on identifying, removing, and replacing harmful products in your home, check out our blog, Podcast, and Toss The Toxins Online Course.