Why We Recommend These Substitutes for Vinegar in Cleaning

White vinegar is a cleaning staple for DIYers, frugal cleaners, and the health and toxin-conscious. 

Whether you need to cut through dirt and grease, descale appliances, clean windows and mirrors, make an all-purpose cleaner, soften your laundry, deodorize, sanitize, clean your floors, and more, white vinegar is a trusty ally.

However, vinegar has some drawbacks, including its smell, its acidic nature, and its naturally occurring acetic acid, a lung irritant when sprayed—and not recommended for use around babies, small children, or anyone with lung issues.

It’s also good to know what to use as a substitute should you run out of vinegar.

That’s what this article is all about: the best substitutes for vinegar in cleaning that are human safe, effective, affordable, and multipurpose.

1. Baking Soda

Although baking soda is the opposite of vinegar in many ways (it’s alkaline and a powder), it can be used as a substitute for various household cleaning tasks.

Ways To Use Baking Soda In Your Home

Despite their differences, baking soda and vinegar have three things in common:

1: They’re both ultra-versatile natural, human-safe, and biodegradable cleaners.

2: They both remove stains and are safe bleach alternatives.

3: They’re both excellent deodorizers.

Here are some ways to use baking soda as a substitute for vinegar in cleaning:

• As a fabric softener: Add 1-2 cups to your washer along with your favorite natural laundry detergent.
• To remove stains: Baking soda is wonderful for removing various types of stains, including grease and oil. There are many ways to use it, including combining it with a natural soap or cleaner, like Branch Basics All-Purpose or Concentrate, applying to the stain, allowing 30 minutes of dwell time, and rinsing or using it as a soaking aid.
• To absorb odors: Keep an open box of baking soda in the fridge, sprinkle on carpets and vacuum up, use it in shoes, use it in trash cans, sprinkle it on mattresses, or place a dish of baking soda in a room to absorb odors naturally.
• As an all-purpose cleaner: Baking soda’s gentle abrasive nature and natural bleaching qualities make it an excellent all-purpose cleaner. You can use baking soda neat or combine it with a bit of water or natural soap to make a paste, and use it for:
• Scouring sinks
• Cleaning tile grout
• Cleaning cutting boards
• Cleaning stove tops
• Scouring tubs

• To clean burnt pots and pans: Boil water with a few tablespoons of baking soda directly in the pot for several minutes. Let cool, and wipe clean.
• To freshen your garbage disposal: Pour a few tablespoons of baking soda down your garbage disposal and let sit for 10-15 minutes to deodorize and clean. 

Get more tips on how to use baking soda at home in: Cleaning With Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): 12 Surprising Uses.

2. Branch Basics

If you’ve come to rely on vinegar as a safe, natural, and affordable all-purpose cleaner, then you’ll love Branch Basics.

Our human-safe and MADE SAFE certified cleaning line was designed to replace every single cleaner and laundry product in the home with just one signature Concentrate plus optional Oxygen Boost.

Here’s how it works.

Add the recommended amount of Branch Basics Concentrate plus water to the designated bottle (All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, or Laundry) from your Starter Kit. 

Shake, and you’re ready to clean anything, fast.

Cleaning Uses

When we say you’re ready to clean anything with Branch Basics, we mean it! 

Here are some examples of how to use Branch Basics as a substitute for vinegar in cleaning:

• All-Purpose:
• For removing germs, dirt, grease, and grime from surfaces
• Washing dishes
• Cleaning produce
• Removing stains
• Cleaning the interior of your car
• Related reading: How To Get Stains Out Of Everything With Branch Basics: [Complete Guide]

• Branch Basics Bathroom 
• For counters
• Toilets
• Showers and tubs
• Tile grout
• Sinks
• Dishes
• Stuck-on food
• Related reading: 11 Safe and Effective Natural Bathroom Cleaning Essentials

• Streak-Free
• Windows
• Electronic screens
• Mirrors
• Stainless steel
• Shower doors
• Upholstery
• Dusting

• Laundry:
• As a safe and natural laundry detergent
• For stain removal
• Hand-washing clothing

• Oxygen Boost can be used alone or paired with Branch Basics All-Purpose, Bathroom, or Laundry dilutions: 
• Stain removal (clothing, blenders, food storage containers, etc.)
• Scouring
• Cleaning tile grout
• As a soaking agent
• Bleach alternative
• Laundry booster and water softener
• Burnt pots and pans
• Related reading: The Power of Sodium Percarbonate For Cleaning

To learn more about all the ways to use Branch Basics in your home see: Unique Ways to use Branch Basics and check out our Starter Kits.

How To Use

Branch Basics products are simple to use, made with only human-safe and earth-friendly ingredients, and safe for the most sensitive skin.

For detailed instructions on all their uses, click the links below:

• How To Use Branch Basics All-Purpose: Complete Guide
• How To Use Branch Basics Bathroom Solution: Complete Guide
• How To Use Branch Basics Streak-Free: Complete Guide
• The Cleaning Power Of Branch Basics Concentrate And Oxygen Boost

3: Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has many similar qualities as white vinegar: it’s acidic, it removes stains, and has sanitizing and bleaching properties.

Plus, its bright and fresh smell is often a welcomed change from vinegar’s sharp, nose-tingling aroma.

Ways To Use Lemon Juice

Vinegar is typically used instead of lemon juice because it’s less expensive. 

However, lemon juice can be used as a substitute for vinegar in cleaning in almost every circumstance, plus it does not contain acetic acid, which can irritate the lungs.

Some ways to use lemon juice for cleaning include:

• To remove stains: Apply lemon juice directly to stains, or apply salt to a cut lemon and apply to stains to lift and remove them naturally.
• Always test a small section to ensure color fastness and remove promptly on colored fabrics to prevent over-lightening.

• To brighten and whiten clothing: Add 1 cup of lemon juice to your laundry along with your favorite natural laundry soap or detergent, like Branch Basics Laundry or Branch Basics NEW Laundry Detergent.
• To clean sinks and faucets: Use lemon juice diluted 50:50 with water, spray on, rinse, buff clean.
• To clean and deodorize cutting boards: Pour undiluted lemon juice directly onto cutting boards, scrub, and let dwell for a few minutes. Rinse clean.
• To clean surfaces: Use a 50:50 mixture of lemon juice and water as an all-purpose cleaner for most types of surfaces.
• Related reading: 5 Best Natural All-Purpose Cleaners

• Freshen your garbage disposal or drain: Place lemon peels or pour lemon juice down the garbage disposal or drain to clean and deodorize.
• Combine with baking soda to unclog drains: 
• Clear as much drain debris as possible using a coat hanger or drain snake. 
• Pour lemon juice plus baking soda down the drain to create a foam that helps clear clogs.
• Let dwell for at least 5 minutes.
• Chase with very hot water. 
• Repeat if necessary.
• Related reading: Natural Drain Cleaners: 5 Safe Options For Your Home

• Soap scum and watermarks on glass: Spray a 50:50 lemon juice and water mixture on glass. Let dwell 5-10 minutes for stubborn stains. Wipe clean.
• To deodorize clothing: Spray a 50:50 mixture of lemon juice with water to remove odors on clothing, pet beds, carpets, etc.
• Always test a small area first to ensure color fastness and remove promptly to avoid discoloration.

• To remove stains on countertops: You can use a freshly cut lemon, pure lemon juice, or lemon juice/a cut lemon with salt to naturally bleach away stains on many types of countertops.
• Always check manufacturer’s recommendations before using on natural stone or unsealed surfaces.

4: Hydrogen Peroxide

Many toxin-conscious people rely on vinegar as a sanitizer because it’s been shown effective at killing certain strains of bacteria, such as E. Coli, salmonella, and listeria.

This makes it a safe and effective cleaner and sanitizer to use around food. 

However, it’s important to recognize vinegar’s sanitizing properties are limited, which is where hydrogen peroxide comes in.

Ways to use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide, in the brown bottle, is a powerful, human-safe, and biodegradable bleaching, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting agent.

Just how well does 3% hydrogen peroxide work as a disinfectant? 

A 2018 study showed 3% hydrogen peroxide was more effective at killing germs and viruses than Quat-containing cleaners, like the synthetic chemical disinfectant aerosols and wipes with which we’re all familiar.

The 3% hydrogen peroxide available in most stores has been shown strong enough to kill viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens.

Here are some of the ways to use hydrogen peroxide for cleaning and disinfecting:

• For mirrors or glass: Spray on and wipe clean.
• To disinfect cutting boards: Wash the cutting board with very warm soapy water or Branch Basics All-Purpose plus warm water. Pour on 3% hydrogen peroxide and let dwell for 5-10 minutes. Rinse.
• For cleaning and disinfecting toilets: Pour directly into the bowl, scrub, let dwell 5-15 minutes, and flush. Spray on toilet seat, handle, and surfaces, let dwell 5-10 minutes and wipe clean.
• For mold and mildew: Scrub off as much as possible using Branch Basics All-Purpose plus baking soda or Oxygen Boost. Spray the remainder with 3% peroxide. Let dwell for 5-15 minutes, scrub clean.
• Related reading: How To Remove Mold From Shower Grout Naturally

• For stain removal: Use directly on light-colored clothing to remove a variety of stains (always do a patch test in an inconspicuous place first) including nail polish, blood, chocolate, food and drink stains, and more.
• As a laundry bleach alternative: Add 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide in the washer to the bleach cup of your washing machine for whites. Launder as usual.
• 7 Human-Safe and Environmentally Safe Laundry Bleach Alternatives

• For sinks, stove tops, and counters: Spray hydrogen peroxide directly onto surfaces to clean, or allow 5-10 minutes dwell time for disinfecting.
• For disinfecting surfaces: Spray onto various surfaces including countertops, door knobs, appliance handles, etc., let dwell 5-10 minutes, wipe clean.
• Note: We typically recommend using vinegar and peroxide for maximum safe disinfecting effectiveness (they must be used separately and stored in separate bottles). However, peroxide is sufficient when used alone.

• Shining stainless steel: Spray directly onto stainless steel appliances, wipe clean.
• For spot cleaning carpet stains on light-colored carpets: Test an inconspicuous spot first to ensure colorfastness and compatibility. Remove as much of the stain as possible using Branch Basics All-Purpose or your favorite natural carpet cleaner. If needed, apply a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide, let dwell 2-3 minutes, remove, rinse clean with fresh water to avoid over-bleaching.
• Get more tips, including how to use powdered peroxide (sodium percarbonate) for cleaning, in: How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide As a Safer Alternative for Cleaning, Disinfecting, Laundry, & More.

5: The Power Of Steam

We love keeping a dry steam cleaner around for natural cleaning and sanitizing and as a backup for when we run out of our favorite natural cleaners.

We highly recommend the Ladybug Dry Steam Cleaner for the following reasons:

• The Ladybug qualifies as a disinfection device* by the EPA. It disinfects virtually any hard surface (through proprietary TANCS® technology) thousands of times better than the standards chemical disinfectants must meet to qualify as EPA-registered disinfectants. 
• Unlike chemical disinfectants that require dwell times to kill germs, the Ladybug kills an extensive range of bacteria and viruses like MRSA, C. diff, norovirus, C. parvo, and COVID-19 in seven seconds or less while leaving no residue behind that promotes new microbial growth. 
• It is proven to eradicate hard-to-kill biofilms in three seconds, something strong chemical disinfectants cannot claim.
• Biofilms, which exist inside and outside our bodies, are like a shield created by various pathogens to protect themselves from being killed. They allow bacteria to morph and become stronger, all while eluding traditional sanitizers, disinfectants, and even medications like antibiotics.

Traditional steam cleaners, such as hand-held steam cleaners or steam mops, are also effective cleaners and disinfectants.

Steam cleaners will kill many viruses and bacteria, but the steam needs to be between 175 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit with at least three minutes of sustained contact.

Ways To Use Steam

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations to clean surfaces, floors, glass, mirrors, upholstery, carpets, and more.

Additional tips for safe and effective steam cleaning:

• Always use distilled water. Hard water can clog and ruin the steamer.
• Keep out of reach of children! Steam cleaners are fascinating to babies, toddlers, and children and can cause severe burns, so use and store them with caution.
• Read reviews carefully when selecting a steam cleaner. Typically, it’s worth paying a little more for a model that will last longer.

Toss the Toxins with Branch Basics

We love, use, and often recommend white vinegar as a safe, natural, and effective cleaner, descaler, deodorizer, fabric softener, bleach alternative, and sanitizer.

However, it’s always nice to have options, especially if you’re sensitive to vinegar’s smell or cannot tolerate its natural acetic acid.

We kept these things in mind when creating Branch Basics; it had to be versatile, free from harmful synthetic ingredients, irritant-free, affordable, super effective, fragrance-free, allergen-free, non-GMO, and easy to use.

If you’re interested in trying Branch Basics as an alternative to vinegar, we invite you to check out our Premium Starter Kits, available in refillable plastic or glass bottles. 

Our EWG-Verified, Made-Safe Certified, plant- and mineral-based products are designed to be even more versatile and effective than vinegar (for real!) without the scent and acetic acid issues.

Plus, 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

For more information on Branch Basics ingredients, formulas, and philosophy, see: How Branch Basics Is A Healthy And Sustainable Cleaning Line.

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