While similar, cleaning vinegar is a more powerful cleaning agent than distilled white vinegar.

What’s the difference between cleaning vinegar vs. white vinegar?

And when should you use which one?

Basket of vinegar with cleaning supplies and bottle of white vinegar

Credit:(L) Blaine Moats, (R) Cameron Sadeghpour

White vinegar is a cleaning staple used forvarious jobs, from general bathroom cleaning to disinfectingyoga mats.

White vinegar is inexpensive, non-toxic, and readily available, making it a popular choice for many households.

They are chemically the same but with different concentrations.

Because of that, cleaning vinegar does not need to meet the same food-quality standards as distilled white vinegar.

Therefore, it contains impurities and a high level of acidity that make it unsafe for consumption.

Consuming cleaning vinegar can cause intestinal and/or esophageal distress.

Cleaning vinegar is not approved or intended for consumption.

It can also be used for cleaning jobs that call for white vinegar.

Rubber household gloves are recommended, and working in a well-ventilated space is advised.

As with any cleaning agent, safety must be consideredwhen storingcleaning vinegar.

Never mix cleaning vinegar, nor vinegars of any kind, with chlorine bleach.

But if degreasing is the goal, vinegar will lower soap’s pH, making it less effective.

In that case, it’s best to use them separately, starting with soap first.