Vinegar Kills Bacteria, Mold and Germs

Vinegar is a mainstay of the old folk recipes for cleaning, and with good reason. The vim of the vinegar is that it kills bacteria, mold and germs.

Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar—the kind you can buy in the supermarket—kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can’t claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency. However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. Even the CBS news show “48 Hours” had a special years ago with Heloise reporting on tests from The Good Housekeeping Institute that showed this.

Just like antibiotics, common disinfectants found in sponges and household sprays may contribute to drug resistant bacteria, according to researchers of drug resistance at Tufts New England Medical Center. Furthermore, research at the Government Accounting Office shows that many commercial disinfectants are ineffective to begin with, just like antibiotics.

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse, but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

Read more: Home, Non-Toxic Cleaning

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Berny P.

2:09AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

GREAT ARTICLE THANKS!

send a green star

Pamela W.

10:17AM PDT on Sep 23, 2011

Shane my little brother died from a strep infection that went into his kidneys...strep can cause a number of illnesses from rheumatic fever to heart disease and kidney disease...Please find a free clinic in your area and go to the doctor!!

Robert O.

1:05AM PDT on Aug 19, 2011

Thanks.

Karen S.

10:27PM PDT on Apr 7, 2011

Shane L: I understand about not going to Dr, but Strep can invade the valves of your heart and destroy them. I would hate to see this happen. Even people who never do antibiotics would be remiss to not treat this through medical standards. Have cared for people that this happened to. And there are not enough hearts available for transplant. Please do research on this potentially threatening disease.

Shane L.

9:29AM PST on Mar 11, 2011

im using it for my STREP THROAT, i dont have money to go c a doctor, then to go buy the Rx... im drinking the apple cider one little by little and gargling the regular one

Shanny A.

11:32PM PST on Jan 17, 2011

really!we have tested it:]

Empowering P.

12:43PM PST on Jan 13, 2011

Thanks for sharing!

Deborah T.

10:14PM PDT on Oct 18, 2010

I don't see my question, so I'll try again.
Can you please provide links to Michael Mullin's statement about vinegar being an effective disinfectant or direct me to where I might find that information.
Thank you so much!

Chuck K.

11:09AM PDT on Sep 27, 2010

Many household products can be used as cleaning implements. Its better for the environment that you do use these products. Everyone in their home has eco-friendly toys that can help both them and their environment. The world would be better off if more people started doing so.