Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar for cleaning

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From cutting through grease on kitchen surfaces to sanitizing and deodorizing the inside of your dishwasher, it’s safe to say white vinegar has cleaning superpowers. If you don’t already have a big jug of it in your pantry, you can buy one for relatively cheap. But investing in vinegar isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. For example, is it better to buy standard white vinegar from the grocery aisle or choose a specially designated vinegar from the cleaning aisle?

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According to Alex Varela, general manager of the house-cleaning service Dallas Maids, “cleaning vinegar” and white distilled vinegar are mostly the same. Just like alcohol, chloride, and ammonia, vinegar is a very strong chemical that’s typically diluted with water for household use. The difference between so-called cleaning vinegar and “regular” vinegar, Varela says, is the dilution. 

“Regular” white vinegar, which has a 4 percent to 5 percent concentration, is what you use in the kitchen. Because it is meant for human consumption, it needs to pass several tests, so the manufacturing process is “harsher” to ensure that the standards are met — no contamination from other products, for example. “It’s diluted enough that we can use it for cooking, but it still has enough ‘power’ as a cleanser,” says Varela. 

Cleaning vinegar, on the other hand, has a higher concentration. According to Varela, it can range from 6 percent to as high as 75 percent, which is 15 times more concentrated than cooking vinegar, making it a theoretically superior cleaner. But both are solid options for most messes you’ll encounter at home, he says. What’s important is that you know how to use them.

For example, while you can use cooking vinegar as cleaning vinegar, you definitely shouldn’t do it the other way around. “Cleaning vinegar can be harmful to your health because of the concentration,” Varela says. “Besides, because it’s not meant for human consumption, you could find traces of other chemicals, and some of them include a fragrance.”

Similarly, beware that the higher the concentration, the more careful you’ll need to be when handling it. For example, 75 percent concentrated vinegar is meant for industrial use only. And keep in mind that if the product has a higher concentration, you’ll need to use less of it. 

“So, if you are creating a mix using two cups of 5 percent vinegar, you would only need 1 cup of 10 percent vinegar,” Varela says. “Do the math for each type and decide what works best for you financially!” And if you use it constantly, buy gallons instead of liters — it will be so much cheaper in the long run.

One more tip: If you decide on buying cleaning vinegar, make sure to keep it away from the kitchen so no one uses it as cooking vinegar by mistake.

There are many articles, videos, forums and blogs online that discuss whether or not white vinegar is the same as distilled malt vinegar. In fact, finding an answer to this question can be difficult, and not to mention confusing.

I’ve done my research and the simple answer is:

White vinegar and distilled malt vinegar are both members of the vinegar family. However, they are not strictly the same thing. White vinegar is better for cleaning than distilled malt vinegar.

I’ll now go on to outline the significant differences between the two vinegars, so you’ll be a vinegar expert by the end!

Differences Between White Vinegar and Distilled Malt Vinegar

Acetic acid

The most notable difference between the two is that they have a different acetic acid content.

White vinegar’s acetic acid content is anything up to 10%. The remaining content of a bottle of white vinegar is made up of about 90% water.

On the other hand, distilled malt vinegar has a lower acetic acid content level of around, if not less than, 4%.

The high level of acetic acid in white vinegar is what makes it a good cleaning product. The acetic acid helps to loosen up and remove tough stains. 

Core ingredients

There is also a difference between the main ingredients that make white vinegar and distilled malt vinegar.

White vinegar is created by fermenting an alcoholic liquid similar to grain-based vodka. Acetic acid bacteria break down the alcohol in the liquid and acetic acid is the byproduct of this process.

Distilled malt vinegar is created by fermenting a barley-based liquid much like beer. Acetic acid bacteria break down the alcohol in this beer like liquid to make acetic acid. The resulting raw brown malt vinegar is then distilled to remove the colour.

pH level

All vinegars have a pH level because they contain acid. The typical pH level for a vinegar is between 2-3.5. The lower the number, the stronger the acid.

White vinegar has one of the highest pH levels of all the vinegars available today. Its pH level is usually around 2.5. Distilled malt vinegar’s pH level is less.

Looks

Both white vinegar and distilled malt vinegar are clear, so they can be easily mixed up.

However, you may have come across a bottle of malt vinegar in the supermarket that is brown in colour.

Brown malt vinegar is not really supposed to be used for cleaning because it will stain whatever surface you use it on. Use white vinegar because it is colourless.

Lab-made acetic acid

Interestingly, white vinegar can be made by using lab created acetic acid. This type of acetic acid is again diluted using water.

Strength

As you may have guessed, with a greater acetic acid content, white vinegar is far stronger than distilled malt vinegar. This is the reason why it is the preferred vinegar to use during cleaning.

What Should You Use for Cleaning?

The best vinegar to use for cleaning is white vinegar. The simple reason for this is because white vinegar has a higher percentage of acetic acid in it, and this is perfect for cleaning!

In addition to this, white vinegar doesn’t usually stain other products, if it is diluted and used correctly. Whereas distilled malt vinegar, although it can be bought in clear form, can also come in a brown-like colour which can stain household items.

Finally, white vinegar can be bought in fairly large bottles, and at a very reasonable price. So, you’ll get lots of use out of one bottle as you use it to clean the various goods in your home!

Uses

White vinegar can be used to clean so many different things around the home, from windows to blinds, and from shower heads to carpet stains. You can find out where to buy it and see some more uses in our article here.
 

Take Home Message…

If you’ve been reading online you will have found different answers to this question. However, based on my research I have concluded that white vinegar and distilled malt vinegar are not the same.

The reasons for this are:

• White vinegar and distilled malt vinegar are made using different processes.
• White vinegar is grain based and distilled malt vinegar is barley based.
• White vinegar contains more acetic acid (up to 10%).
• Distilled malt vinegar has a lower acetic acid content level (less than 4%).
• White vinegar is far stronger than distilled malt vinegar.

White vinegar should be used for cleaning as it has so many different uses and it’s strong!

Bethan has a passion for exploring, reading, cooking and gardening! When she’s not creating culinary delights for her family, she’s concocting potions to keep her house clean!