05/22/2026
Let’s talk about a popular cleaning ingredient for many people, and let’s also talk about how to properly use it.
Vinegar
It is not safe for every surface, despite being a natural solution. Vinegar is acidic, which means it should not be used on natural stone surfaces, most wood surfaces or waxy surfaces. It breaks down polyurethane, which creates dullness. Repeated exposure to acid can wear down or soften the protective finish over time, especially on older or lower-quality polyurethane coatings. Natural stone is porous and can be easily etched, so using vinegar will slowly dissolve the surface causing dull and etched spots.
Most of my cleaning products are vinegar-free and lean toward being pH-neutral which means less harm on most surfaces. It’s important to know what to use and how to use it to prolong the surfaces in your home.
