
I'm a cleaning expert, everyone is using this cheap viral product but there's three surfaces it should never touch
Experts come up with amazing tips using ingredients you normally find in your cupboard or fridge to get the
work
done cheaper.
2
Cleaning hacks are a godsend for many households
2
Using anything acidic on some surfaces could ruin your home
But one pro says a popular viral cleaning recommendation could be ruining your
home
.
Joseph Passalacqua, CEO of
Despite its growing popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, he says some surfaces can be permanently damaged by the acidic substance.
And he said it could cost householders thousands to repair.
READ MORE IN FABULOUS
Joseph said: "Natural stone surfaces like marble, granite, and quartzite should never come into contact with white vinegar.
"The acidity eats away at the calcium carbonate in these materials, permanently etching the surface."
The cleaning expert says stone surfaces are damaged by acidic solutions, restoration often requires professional intervention, which can cost hundreds or even thousands.
He added: "Many homeowners think vinegar is safe because it's natural, but so is lemon juice, and both will destroy a marble countertop just as quickly as any harsh chemical.
Most read in Fabulous
For stone surfaces, the expert recommends pH-neutral cleaners specifically formulated for the material.
And while many cleaning videos suggest vinegar for stainless steel surfaces - like draining boards or hobs - Joseph says this is a big no.
Inside filthiest house cleaned up by Kim Woodburn on How Clean Is Your House?
The cleaning guru said: "Vinegar can cause pitting on the surface of stainless steel over time.
"If you must use it, always dilute the solution with
water
to minimise damage."
The expert pointed out that repeated use of vinegar on stainless steel dishwashers and oven tops can also lead to a dull finish and eventually permanent spots that cannot be buffed out.
He said stainless steel should be cleaned with mild dish
soap
and
water
or dedicated stainless steel cleaners.
The third category of household surfaced to keep vinegar away from is anything with electronic components, the expert says.
He explained: "Spraying vinegar directly on screens or electronic interfaces can make touch screens less responsive and damage internal components.
"Many people spray vinegar directly on their TV screens or computer monitors thinking it's safer than commercial cleaners, but they're actually risking permanent damage to expensive equipment."
He recommends using specialised cleaners designed specifically for electronics as well as microfibre cloths.
But where can you use vinegar safely?
The cleaning expert explained that vinegar's popularity stems from its effectiveness on many other surfaces and its low cost compared to commercial cleaners.
Joseph explained: "Vinegar works wonderfully on glass, ceramic tile with sealed grout and porcelain fixtures. It's also excellent for removing mineral deposits from showerheads.
"Just keep it away from those three key surface types."
"The rule of thumb is simple. If something is porous, sensitive, or high-end, verify that vinegar is safe before applying it. When in doubt, test in an inconspicuous area first or simply use something else."

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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
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I transformed my dark and gloomy kitchen for just £150 using B&Q bargains with NO experience
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Armed with TikTok tutorials and a dream, she set out to 'I just couldn't stand how dark and gloomy it felt – I wanted a fresh, light space where I'd actually enjoy cooking and spending time with my family,' she told What's The Jam. READ MORE HOME TRANSFORMATIONS 'The kitchen before was in good condition, but needed a little bit of TLC and I had a vision for the room. 'We did a rough estimate of how much it would cost to completely replace the kitchen from a family friend and we were looking at quite a lot of money - around £2,000 to £3,000 - which was money we didn't have. 'I decided that I was going to do a budget-friendly makeover instead.' She decided not to get new units and opted for a few tins of paint and rolls of vinyl. Most read in Fabulous Natalie roped in her partner and sister to help freshen up the cupboards, wrap the worktops and breathe new life into the handles. 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She said: 'It definitely wasn't a quick transformation but that was fine with us, we loved seeing it slowly come together. 'The hardest part for me was probably the vinyling, simply because it took more brain power than the rest, and a lot of patience - something I'm known to not have a lot of. 'We didn't encounter any mistakes, we just took our time with the project - apart from when I spilt paint on my hob. 'If I was to start this project again, I wouldn't change anything – I love how we took our time and worked together to get our final look in here. Rome wasn't built in a day and sometimes time and money restrict a quick transformation. 'I'm all for realistic budget makeovers and those take time. 'The difference it's made is amazing, it's now light and airy, it's really brightened up the room, I'm still obsessed with it now two months down the line.' 'We've had such an amazing reaction to our makeover, my friends and family said it looks like a brand new kitchen and it's had such a good response both on my Instagram and TikTok. Eight Easy DIY Tips & Tricks The ultimate guide for homeowners and renters: DIY expert's Save time and money with this easy DIY tiling hack to transform a room in under an hour Avoid these five mistakes in your next DIY project Transform your kitchen with this Noisy neighbours? Here's DIY expert shared her favourite strategy for painting around glass without tape If you want to give your kitchen a fresh look, here's Five tricks to 'My advice would be to take your time, it's okay if you don't get a transformation like this done in a day like you can sometimes see on social media. 'My second piece of advice to make sure the longevity of your makeover is prep, prep, prep. 'Spend time prepping your units and surfaces for painting, you'll thank yourself later. 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