Does Vinegar Disinfect?
Yes, vinegar does disinfect.
More Info: Vinegar is a form of acetic acid. The vinegar sold in stores has an acetic acid content of 5%. It is this acid that kills bacteria. While vinegar can be a good disinfectant for general household use, it is not strong enough to kill all bacteria. Some benefits of vinegar as a disinfectant include the fact that it is non-toxic, the process of making vinegar is environmentally friendly, and it is inexpensive. Other disinfectants, such as bleach, are very harsh and can burn nasal membranes when inhaled. Vinegar is a gentler alternative.
There are many recipes for using vinegar as a disinfectant. You can wipe down your wood cutting board with vinegar to kill germs. Pour a cup of vinegar down your sink and let it soak for about 30 minutes then rinse with cold water to deodorize your drain. Remove pet odors by blotting the area with a mixture of ¼-cup vinegar to a quart of water. Mop your floors with a solution of ½-cup vinegar in a gallon of water to make them clean and shiny. Disinfect your toilet by squirting straight vinegar into the toilet bowl. Prevent mold and mildew from growing in your shower by wiping the walls with a solution of water and vinegar. In addition, you can get the smell out of cloth diapers by adding ½ to 1 cup vinegar in the final rinse cycle when you wash them.

Journal of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology"Antimicrobial Activity of Home Disinfectants and Natural Products Against Potential Human Pathogens." 21.1
Newton Vinegar as an Disinfectanthttp://www.newton.dep.anl.gov
"Does Vinegar Disinfect?." Sophisticated Edge. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.sophisticatededge.com/does-vinegar-disinfect.html>.

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