Is It Dangerous to Mix Pine-Sol and Vinegar?

It might sound like a great cleaning hack, but mixing Pine-Sol and vinegar actually cancels each other out, leaves behind weird smells, and may even damage surfaces you’re trying to clean. Plus, it’s a big waste of product and can actually make things worse (not to mention, potentially dangerous).

Pine-Sol is slightly mix Pine-Sol and vinegar and vinegar is acidic. This means that when you mix them, the acid neutralizes some of the surfactants in Pine-Sol, making it less effective. On top of that, the sour scent from vinegar cancels out the clean, fresh smell from Pine-Sol—which also makes it less effective.

Can You Mix Pine-Sol and Vinegar? The Truth About This Cleaning Combo

The best way to use vinegar in your cleaning routine is to dilute it with water. A spray bottle of half vinegar and half water is perfect for countertops, glass, and deodorizing fabrics. Plus, if you add a few drops of lemon, lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil, you can give your DIY cleaner a pleasant scent while adding extra cleaning power. This is a small upgrade that makes your daily wipe-down feel a little more spa-like.