Non-toxic and affordable, hydrogen peroxide is classified by the CDC as “a stable and effective disinfectant” for hard surfaces. (1) It can brighten laundry, clean mirrors, and more. I’ve already covered many of the ways it can be used around the house, but in this article I’m going to show you how to increase its effectiveness by using it in tandem with vinegar.
The operative phrase being “in tandem with,” not “combined with.” That’s because this dynamic duo only works when used together . . . separately. That’s because if you combine the two in the same container, they form a new compound called peracetic acid, which can corrode surfaces and irritate skin, eyes and the respiratory system.
However, when used together properly, they’re more powerful than when used alone.
That’s a big deal because unlike chlorine bleach – which gets and “F’ safety rating from the Environmental Working Group – both hydrogen peroxide and vinegar have an excellent safety rating. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water after it disinfects, and white vinegar is well, edible. (You can also infuse vinegar with leftover citrus peels to give it extra cleaning oomph.)
Hydrogen Peroxide & Vinegar: A One-Two Punch
The method below was created by Susan Sumner, a food scientist, while she was working at the University of Nebraska. She deliberately contaminated fruits and vegetables with either salmonella, shigella, or E. coli O157:H7, then followed up with a squirt of vinegar and/or hydrogen peroxide.
Though the hydrogen peroxide did pretty well on its own, the two together delivered a one-two punch that was even more effective.
If the acetic acid [active component of vinegar] got rid of 100 organisms, the hydrogen peroxide would get rid of 10,000, and the two together would get rid of 100,000,” Sumner told Science News. (2)
She noted that in addition to working on produce, the method was works well for “sanitizing counters and other food preparation surfaces — including wood cutting boards.”
Something to keep in mind, though, is that vinegar is acidic and to a smaller degree so is hydrogen peroxide. Although hydrogen peroxide is considered safe for occasional use on granite countertops (and some marble), vinegar is not recommended at all.
Undiluted 70% rubbing alcohol is less acidic than water and is effective against certain microorganisms, says the CDC and Consumer Reports, so that’s another option to consider. (3) (4). They note that it’s generally safe for most surfaces although it may discolor some plastics, so that’s an option to consider if you’ve got granite or marble surfaces. (3)
Also, although it’s a cleaner rather than a disinfectant, if you have granite counters this recipe might be helpful.
DIY Vinegar + Hydrogen Peroxide All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
Equipment
- One spray bottle with nozzle
- One nozzle that will fit on top of a hydrogen peroxide container (or an extra spray bottle)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (or more) hydrogen peroxide (3% solution – the kind you find in the brown bottle at the grocery store)
- 1 cup white vinegar* (5% acetic acid)
- 5-7 drop tea tree essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. If desired, add in tea tree essential oil and shake well to mix. Place the spray nozzle back on the bottle. Add a spray nozzle to your brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide, or fill a dark spray bottle with it. Keep in mind that unless your bottle filters light completely (or nearly so), you'll want to store your hydrogen peroxide in a cool, dark cabinet between uses so that it doesn't lose potency. Even if you're using the original brown bottle you'll want to store it in a cool area.
- Spray the surface with one of your spray bottles – using a generous amount – then wait at least five minutes before wiping with a clean cloth.
- Next, spray your surface with the other spray bottle – using a generous amount – then wait at least another five minutes before wiping. As I mentioned in my article on cleaning with hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide kills more slowly than other disinfectants, so it's best to increase the contact time (the amount of time it sits on a surface). I usually wait at least 10 minutes before wiping, or allow it to air dry for maximum contact time.
Notes
More DIY Cleaning & Personal Care Recipes
Homemade Laundry Detergent – Here’s what Hillary had to say about this recipe: “My husband does mechanical work for a logging company and his clothes get REALLY dirty after crawling in, on, and under those greasy machines! I think the detergent cleaned it better than our natural detergent we were buying from Costco! I was very impressed, thank you! : )”
DIY Hand Sanitizer – When soap and water are not an option, I use this super easy hand sanitizer that aligns with the formulation guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
22 Baking Soda Uses for Cleaning, Personal Care & Remedies – Baking soda is incredibly versatile, so I put together this guide to using it around the house, in personal care, and more.
Sources:
- California Department of Public Health (2017) Disinfectants and Work-Related Asthma
- Science News (1996) How To Disinfect Your Salad
- Consumer Reports (2020) Common Household Products
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) Chemical Disinfectants
Anytime you mention Tea Tree Oil I wish you would also mention how toxic it is to pets and it should be used carefully. Thanks! I’ve heard one too many stories of sick cats because of diffusing TTEO!
Great tips for a DIY cleaner. That’s amazing that together they’re 10x as powerful!
Good Housekeeping: Cleaning Products You Should Never Mix
see 5. hydrogen peroxide mix with vinegar: You may have heard that you should spray fruits or countertops with alternating mists of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, wiping down the surface between sprays. Experts say this method is safe — but don’t mix the two products in the same container. Combining them creates peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Yes, that is covered in the second paragraph of the article.
So, why would you recommend people mixing the two together when it creates a hazardous product?!
DON’T mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide if you care for your health!
I don’t recommend that, and actually cover why they should not be combined in the second paragraph.
Please do not mix vinegar with hydrogen proxide it makes a peracetic acid which is harmful to humans causes lung damage!
That’s exactly what I wrote in the article 🙂
hi there! when wiping with a cloth after contact time, do you recommended a damp cloth? I used to use bleach (!) and always rinsed by squeezing a wet cloth out after the contract time and wiping up to dry. Thanks for the article, I learned something new!
Thanks for sharing! I noticed you didn’t mention anything for Quartz countertops. What would you recommend using for that? Is hydrogen peroxide okay to use on Quartz? Thanks!
Where a good place to get the amber bottles? I’d like to get some and make cleaners for gifts
Oh no! I just read the recipe and put both the hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together in the same bottle 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ Will I have to pour it out?
Mixing these ingredients are toxic. You can clean with each separately, but adding them together creates peracetic acid and can harm the skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs, especially if breathed in.
She explains over and over to NOT mix these two cleaners, but to use them separately to ensure the surface is cleaned as good as possible🤦.
Thank you for this article. I have 10 indoor cats, one of which has to scoot on his rear to move around so I am a stickler for using pet-friendly products to clean floors etc. instead of dropping in Tea Tree oil, I will drop in Geranium oil.