Mixing vinegar and salt in water is generally safe and commonly used for cleaning, deodorizing, or preserving, but it’s important to know what it does and doesn’t do.
Here’s a clear breakdown:
🧪 What Happens When You Mix Vinegar + Salt + Water
✔️ 1. Creates a mild acidic cleaning solution
Vinegar (acetic acid) + salt (sodium chloride) dissolved in water forms a gentle abrasive + acidic mixture.
Useful for:
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Removing mineral deposits
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Cleaning tarnish from some metals
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Cutting through grease
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Deodorizing surfaces
✔️ 2. Works as a natural disinfecting rinse
Vinegar has mild antimicrobial properties.
Salt helps scrub or soften grime.
This is NOT a substitute for medical disinfectants.
✔️ 3. Used for pickling & preserving
A vinegar–salt–water brine is the base for many pickles.
⚠️ Important Safety Notes
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Don’t mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia.
This creates toxic fumes. -
Avoid using on natural stone (marble, granite, quartzite).
The acid can etch the surface. -
Don’t use vinegar solutions as a skin treatment.
It can irritate or damage skin in high concentrations.
🧼 Simple Vinegar + Salt Cleaning Recipe
(For household use)
Ingredients:
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1 cup white vinegar
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1 tbsp salt
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2 cups warm water
Instructions:
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Warm the water.
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Add salt and stir until dissolved.
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Add vinegar and mix.
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Use for cleaning glass, sinks, stove tops, or bathroom fixtures.
If you tell me what you want to use it for—cleaning, pickling, a science project, or something else—I can give you the exact ratio that works best!
