08-07-2025
UK households issued white vinegar warning - 4 places you should never use it
White vinegar has its valuable uses, but one avid cleaner has urged people to avoid using it on certain appliances and surfaces as it can actually cause more damage than good
White vinegar has become the go-to product for cleaning aficionados, but there are four places in your home where it should never be applied.
The popularity of white vinegar as a natural and cost-effective cleaning solution has skyrocketed recently, with many ditching expensive branded products in favour of this versatile household staple.
However, cleaning guru Sarah Dempsey from has highlighted four items that should "never" come into contact with white vinegar.
Mirrors
Firstly, mirrors are a no-go. Contrary to popular belief among cleaning enthusiasts, Sarah warns against using white vinegar on mirrors due to its potential to damage to the reflective backing that gives them their shine. She recommends sticking to a microfibre cloth and some glass spray instead, as reported by the Express.
Washing machines
When it comes to washing machines, many people swear by white vinegar for cleaning and deodorising. But Sarah cautions that it can actually harm the appliance, particularly the rubber seals and hoses, and therefore should "never be used" on a washing machine.
Dishwashers
The same goes for dishwashers; Sarah advises against using white vinegar, which can weaken rubber parts and is not as effective as some might think.
"Instead, it's better to use dishwasher cleaners as these are specially formulated to do the job of cleaning your dishwasher well," she added.
Marble worktops
Finally, Sarah advises those with stone or marble worktops should steer clear of cleaning with white vinegar as it "dulls and etches" natural stone, which can make it lose its shine and ultimately cause damage to the stone. Instead, the expert suggests cleaning worktops with some mild washing-up liquid.
This advice comes after a cleaning guru told followers it's time to bin the vinegar and try something they reckon is more effective - and less pongy. TikToker @byjaded urged people to "stop using vinegar to remove limescale from your kettle", as there's a superior method. She said: "Try citric acid instead."
She recommended adding one tablespoon of citric acid, filling the kettle halfway, boiling it, and then leaving it overnight. At the end of the video, she showcased the results, which should be visible "in an hour", and the kettle was looking shinier than ever.
The user mentioned because she hadn't used vinegar, she didn't have to rinse her kettle out multiple times due to the absence of any funny smell, so she claimed she "was able to save water and energy consumption" by using the citric acid. @byjaded then encouraged people to "try it out".
