Vinegar, a common household item composed primarily of acetic acid, has long been used for various cleaning and sanitizing tasks. Its history as a mild disinfectant and food preservative leads many people to wonder about its effectiveness against modern pathogens. Given its accessibility, the question of whether this substance can neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is a frequent query. This article reviews the scientific evidence to determine if vinegar is a reliable tool for disinfecting surfaces against the coronavirus.
Vinegar’s General Disinfecting Properties
The antimicrobial power of vinegar is derived from its active component, acetic acid, which typically constitutes about 4% to 7% of household white vinegar. Acetic acid is a weak organic acid, and its low pH is the primary mechanism by which it acts as a mild sanitizer. This highly acidic environment disrupts the function of proteins and enzymes within microorganisms, leading to their inactivation. This low pH makes vinegar effective against certain bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, and it has shown virucidal activity against some enveloped viruses, like influenza, by damaging their protective outer lipid layer. However, the concentration and contact time required for effective disinfection vary significantly depending on the specific pathogen.
Efficacy Against SARS-CoV-2
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is classified as an enveloped virus, meaning its genetic material is protected by an outer lipid membrane susceptible to disruption by chemical agents. While acetic acid has shown promise against other enveloped viruses, its performance against the COVID-19 virus is not consistently reliable for public health recommendations.
Some controlled laboratory studies have demonstrated that a 6% concentration of acetic acid, a level found in many distilled white vinegars, can inactivate SARS-CoV-2. This inactivation occurs because the acetic acid interferes with the virus’s structure, disrupting the spike protein’s ability to bind to human cells.
Crucially, these studies suggest a relatively long contact time, often up to 15 minutes, is necessary for complete viral inactivation, which is impractical for routine surface cleaning. Furthermore, another laboratory study found that undiluted household vinegar was completely ineffective at inactivating the virus after brief contact times of 30 seconds or 5 minutes.
Because the results are mixed and vinegar is highly variable in concentration and purity, it is not listed or recommended by major public health organizations for use against SARS-CoV-2. The lack of standardized testing and the long contact time required mean vinegar cannot be considered an approved primary disinfectant for the virus in a real-world setting.
Safe and Recommended Surface Cleaning Alternatives
Since vinegar is not a reliable solution for high-level disinfection, the most effective approach is to use products specifically evaluated for their virucidal properties. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a comprehensive resource called List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19), which includes hundreds of registered products proven to kill SARS-CoV-2. These approved products contain active ingredients known to destroy the viral envelope, such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, and quaternary ammonium compounds.
When using any product from the EPA’s List N, following the manufacturer’s directions is paramount, especially regarding contact time. Contact time is the specific duration a surface must remain visibly wet with the disinfectant to ensure complete inactivation of the virus. This time can range from 30 seconds up to 10 minutes, depending on the chemical formulation.
For example, many commercial disinfectants containing sodium hypochlorite require a contact time of only one minute to be effective against the coronavirus. Ignoring this detail by wiping the surface dry too soon may allow the virus to remain infectious. Adhering strictly to the required contact time is the most effective step for surface disinfection.
Safety Concerns and Improper Use
While vinegar is generally safe for consumption and mild cleaning, using it improperly for disinfection purposes can lead to serious safety hazards. A primary concern is the danger of mixing vinegar with other common household cleaning agents.
Combining vinegar with chlorine bleach, for example, releases toxic chlorine gas, which can cause severe respiratory distress, burning in the eyes and throat, and can be fatal in poorly ventilated spaces. Similarly, mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide creates peracetic acid, a corrosive and highly irritating chemical that can cause chemical burns to the skin and eyes and irritate the respiratory system.
Furthermore, vinegar is not intended for internal use as a treatment or preventative measure against COVID-19. Public health experts advise against gargling with or ingesting vinegar in an attempt to kill the virus, as this practice lacks scientific support and can cause damage to the esophagus and digestive system.