Vinegar has long been used for both household cleaning and professional applications. Its acidity makes it particularly useful for removing limescale deposits, helping to degrease, neutralising odours and cleaning different surfaces.
Concentrated cleaning vinegar has a higher acidity than many vinegars intended for food use, making it particularly suitable for cleaning and maintenance tasks.
In professional environments, it can be an interesting solution for cleaning companies, distributors, manufacturers of specialised products and other sectors looking for a simple and versatile product for specific applications.
At Goyval Vinagres, we produce our cleaning vinegar from alcohol of agricultural origin through acetic fermentation, using a controlled process that allows us to obtain a stable and consistent product.
If you would like to learn more about its professional applications, you can read our article on spirit vinegar for professional cleaning.
What Is Concentrated Cleaning Vinegar?
Cleaning vinegar is a product whose main characteristic is its acetic acid content.
In the case of Goyval, this acetic acid is not added directly to the product, but is naturally generated during the acetic fermentation of alcohol of agricultural origin.
During this process, acetic acid bacteria convert alcohol into acetic acid in the presence of oxygen.
You can learn more about this process in our article on acetic fermentation and industrial production.
The concentration of acetic acid directly influences the way the product performs during cleaning. For this reason, vinegars intended for cleaning may have a higher acidity than that commonly found in certain food vinegars.
White Wine Vinegar and Cleaning Vinegar: Are They the Same?
No. Although both contain acetic acid, there are important differences in raw material, concentration and intended use.
White wine vinegar is obtained exclusively through the acetic fermentation of wine and is primarily intended for food consumption.
Goyval cleaning vinegar is produced through the acetic fermentation of alcohol of agricultural origin and is formulated and marketed for cleaning purposes.
The main differences include:
- Raw material: wine for wine vinegar and alcohol of agricultural origin for our cleaning vinegar.
- Sensory profile: spirit vinegar has a more neutral profile.
- Acidity: cleaning vinegar may have a higher concentration depending on the product.
- Intended use: food vinegar is marketed for consumption, while cleaning vinegar must be used according to the instructions on its label.
For this reason, although they may share part of their chemical composition, they should not be used interchangeably.
Is Fermented Vinegar the Same as an Acetic Acid Solution?
Not exactly.
From a chemical point of view, both may contain acetic acid, but their origin and production process are different.
In Spain, the quality standard applicable to food vinegar defines it as a product resulting from the alcoholic and acetic fermentation of products of agricultural origin. The legislation also expressly prohibits the addition of acetic acid in the production of vinegar and requires the product to have a carbon-14 content corresponding to its biological origin.
Read Royal Decree 661/2012 in the Spanish Official State Gazette
This does not mean that acetic acid obtained by other methods is prohibited in food. Acetic acid E260 is authorised as a food additive in the European Union for the uses covered by the relevant legislation. What is not permitted in Spain is to add it in order to manufacture a product marketed as food vinegar.
Read Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on EUR-Lex
It would therefore not be accurate to say that acetic acid is toxic simply because it is of synthetic origin. The risks associated with acetic acid depend mainly on its concentration, route of exposure and conditions of use, rather than solely on its origin.
At high concentrations, acetic acid requires specific precautions. The European harmonised classification identifies significant risks associated with concentrated acetic acid, and human exposure studies have observed irritant effects from its vapours under certain conditions.
Read the study on exposure to acetic acid vapours – Ernstgård et al., 2006
Does Vinegar Have Antimicrobial Activity?
Yes. Various scientific studies have shown that acetic acid and vinegar can have antimicrobial activity against certain microorganisms, although their effectiveness depends on factors such as concentration, contact time and application conditions.
For example, research published in mBio and BMC Microbiology has observed activity against different bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms using specific concentrations of acetic acid.
Read Cortesia et al., 2014 on PubMed
Read Zinn and Bockmühl, 2020 on PubMed
This shows that antimicrobial activity exists under certain conditions, but it does not mean that any vinegar can automatically be marketed as a disinfectant.
In the European Union, products marketed for disinfectant purposes are subject to biocidal product regulations and the corresponding authorisation requirements.
Read Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal products
For this reason, our cleaning products focus on functions such as cleaning, limescale removal, degreasing and odour neutralisation, in accordance with the instructions for each product.
Main Uses of Concentrated Cleaning Vinegar
Cleaning vinegar can be used for many different tasks, always following the instructions for the specific product.
At Goyval, we have a Leila cleaning range developed specifically for these types of applications.
Limescale Removal
Its acidic nature makes it particularly useful against mineral deposits and limescale, so it can be used on suitable surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where these deposits commonly build up.
Cleaning Glass and Surfaces
It can be used to help clean and shine certain glass surfaces, other compatible surfaces and metal items.
It is important to check material compatibility beforehand and always follow the instructions provided with the product.
Degreasing
Cleaning vinegar can help remove certain greasy residues from surfaces and equipment, particularly as part of a wider cleaning routine.
Odour Neutralisation
It can also be used to help reduce certain persistent odours on surfaces, containers and other items.
Laundry Use
Cleaning vinegar can also be used for certain laundry applications, where it may help to soften fabrics and neutralise odours, always following the recommended dosage.
Can Cleaning Vinegar Be Used on Stainless Steel?
Vinegar can be useful for removing certain mineral deposits and water marks from stainless steel.
For appropriate use:
- Use the dosage indicated for the product.
- Apply it to a compatible surface.
- Rub gently following the grain of the steel.
- Rinse when necessary.
- Dry with a clean cloth to improve the finish.
- Avoid abrasive scourers that could scratch the surface.
Before using it on any surface, particularly delicate finishes, it is advisable to test it first on a small, inconspicuous area.
Surfaces That Require Particular Care
The acidity that makes vinegar useful for removing limescale can also affect materials that are sensitive to acids.
For this reason, it should be avoided, or only used when permitted by the surface manufacturer, on materials such as:
- Marble.
- Calcareous natural stone.
- Certain types of granite and terrazzo.
- Surfaces with treatments or coatings that are sensitive to acids.
The simplest rule is to always check both the product instructions and the recommendations of the surface manufacturer before use.
Never Mix Vinegar with Bleach
This is one of the most important precautions.
Vinegar is acidic and must not be mixed with bleach or products containing hypochlorite, as combining an acid with hypochlorite can release chlorine gas, which is hazardous if inhaled.
Cleaning products should not be mixed with one another unless their instructions specifically state that this is safe.
Is Cleaning Vinegar Suitable for Consumption?
No.
A product marketed as cleaning vinegar must be used for the purpose stated on its label and must not be ingested.
Although at Goyval we start with alcohol of agricultural origin and the acetic acid is generated through fermentation, the finished cleaning product is specifically intended for cleaning use.
It is important to distinguish between the origin of the raw material and the legal and commercial intended use of the finished product.
Cleaning Vinegar for Professional and Industrial Use
In addition to household applications, there is growing demand for spirit vinegar for cleaning from:
- Cleaning product companies.
- Hygiene and maintenance product distributors.
- Professional cleaning companies.
- Private label manufacturers.
- Industrial customers with recurring consumption.
- International importers and distributors.
For these projects, factors such as concentration, batch-to-batch consistency, supply format and continuity of supply are particularly important.
At Goyval, we can work with both retail formats and bulk supply, assessing each project according to the product, volume and destination market.
Goyval Vinagres | Cleaning Vinegar for Different Requirements
At Goyval, we have been producing vinegar since 1996 and have experience in both food products and solutions for professional cleaning.
Our Leila range includes products developed specifically for cleaning and maintenance.
We work with distributors, manufacturers, private label projects and industrial customers, adapting the product and supply format to the requirements of each project.
If you are looking for a cleaning vinegar supplier for distribution, private label or industrial use, contact our team and we will help you assess the most suitable option.