Why Using Vinegar To Clean This One Kitchen Mess Is A Mistake To Avoid

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Vinegar can be a versatile cleaning tool throughout your whole home. From kitchen counters to bathroom floors, you can use vinegar virtually anywhere as a natural disinfectant. Many people substitute vinegar for Clorox wipes because it is an affordable, non-toxic, and effective alternative. While this kitchen staple is pretty impressive and definitely worthwhile, there's one kitchen mess that you should avoid cleaning with it: egg.

Using vinegar to clean up egg messes actually has the opposite effect — it makes it harder to clean. This is because the acid in the vinegar causes the egg proteins to congeal, essentially cooking the egg onto the countertop. Instead of being able to easily wipe away the mess, you'll be left with a sticky, glue-like substance that is much more difficult to clean. 

And because of this chemical reaction, you might even end up with a stain on your porous countertop. Surfaces like natural stone — specifically marble or granite — might be particularly vulnerable to this kind of damage. If you try to clean an egg mess with vinegar on these types of countertops, you'll be left with one yolk of a mess.

If you happen to find yourself in an egg-trocious mess, don't fret. First, clean up the eggshell — there are a lot of unexpected uses for eggshells around your home and garden that you can employ. Next, grab a sponge and a spatula. Using the spatula, push the dropped egg into the sponge, and dispose of it directly in the trash. 

Once the majority of the mess is cleaned up, you can then use a drop or two of dish soap to clean the area. Use a wet paper towel or dish towel to wipe up the spill, and voilà — your counter is as good as new. As an optional step, you can use a disinfectant wipe to give the area a once-over to ensure it's thoroughly sanitized and free of any lingering bacteria.

If you happen to spill raw egg on your clothes while cooking, skip the vinegar here, too. Instead, first soak your egg-stained clothes overnight. Since warm water actually binds the egg to the fibers, it's essential to use cold water. Check to make sure your laundry detergent contains stain-fighting enzymes, which help break up the egg proteins. Most popular detergents, like Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release and Persil ProClean, are formulated with enzymes. After soaking your items, launder them according to normal washing directions, and dry per the care label instructions.