Are there any negatives about vinegar for cleaning?

[sparkeze]

We've been using vinegar, water, EOs and baking soda for all the cleaning we do. It works well for us, but why do so many people use a lot of other natural cleaning products? Is there something I'm missing?

[Ruthla]

Some people (such as my DD) really don't like the smell of vinegar. EOs can't always mask the strong vinegar scent. If she's doing the cleaning, she'd rather use a diluted soap solution than a diluted vinegar solution.

I also don't think vinegar alone is adequate for certain jobs- such as removing crayon stains from the couch. I find soap and a damp rag work much better in that situation.

[Spastica]

You cannot use acidic substances like vinegar on certain surfaces and stones, like marble. It may also eat the finish on special fabrics and other materials. It also doesn't do so hot on unsealed, but stained wood (it dulls the color and doesn't help the wood much). Vinegar also eats grout around tile and ruins certain ceramic finishes.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

[mamagranola]

It makes everything smell like a pickle!

I know some peopla don't mind the smell, but I'm not crazy about it and my dh absolutely hates it. I tend to use a diluted soap solution.

[avendesora]

I used a 50% vinegar solution for my 'after shower' spray in the bathroom. It ate away at the caulking, and we had to recaulk. Vinegar is potent stuff!

Aven