Ah, white vinegar… The list of its miracle uses is none don't finish!
A magic product that can clean, descale, stain, disinfect, deodorize...
And in addition to being ecological and biodegradable, white vinegar does really cost inexpensive (less than €0.50 per litre).
But looking at the labels, some are called "white vinegar", "crystal vinegar", "household vinegar" or "alcohol vinegar".
Why all these names? And is there a true difference between the different names of white vinegar?
To make your life easier, we have investigated the difference between all these vinegar names. Watch:
White vinegar, alcohol vinegar, crystal vinegar, household vinegar...
Call it what you want, we speak exactly of the same product !
If white vinegar is known by several names, it is simply for commercial reasons!
But in the bottles it is actually always the same product:alcohol vinegar .
Only one thing changes between all these bottles:the acidity level!
But to complicate things even more, know that this acidity level does not vary according to the appellation...
Clearly, it is not because you buy a bottle of household vinegar that the acidity level will be the same.
The same goes for the other names:the acidity level has nothing to do with the name used.
So, to know the acidity level, you cannot rely on the appellation, you have to look at what is indicated on the back of the bottle.
White vinegar, crystal vinegar, alcohol vinegar or household vinegar... same fight! That's established. But…
One thing distinguishes vinegars from each other:their acidity level or, if you prefer, their percentage of acetic acid.
Indeed, if you take a closer look at the label on your bottle, you will see that there is a percentage there, as in the photo above.
These percentage dosages measure its acidity.
This percentage indicates the acidity level of the vinegar and not the degree of alcohol, as some people think.
Overall, be aware that the concentration of acetic acid in white vinegar varies from 5% to 14% .
Thus, depending on the percentage of acetic acid, the results are very different... and the speed of use too!
This is the white vinegar found in the kitchen aisles of supermarkets.
Typically, this spirit vinegar has a fairly low acidity content, between 5 to 8%.
By comparison, a cider or wine vinegar that goes into the composition of a vinaigrette also has an acetic acid content of 5% to 8%.
This vinegar can therefore be used both for cooking and for cleaning the fridge.
Indeed, this type of white vinegar with an acidity of 5% to 8% can very well be used for food purposes, such as:
- clean a salad from the garden,
- make canned pickles or even,
- replace white wine in a recipe.
It is the white vinegar found in the household products section of supermarkets.
Moreover, it is often called "household vinegar", but not always!
This alcohol vinegar is more concentrated, with an acidity level of up to 12%, even 14%.
This vinegar with a higher concentration of acetic acid is reserved for household tasks.
Indeed, its high acidity makes it more effective for cleaning and descaling.
To convince yourself of this, you can compare the time it takes to descale a tap with 5% vinegar and with 14% vinegar.
You should also know that the more a vinegar has a high acidity level, the stronger its smell.
But don't worry, its strong smell disappears as it dries!
By the way, for those who really can't stand its smell, here's a trick to make your white vinegar smell good.
There is no photo. For all daily uses of this miracle product, simply choose 8% white vinegar .
It is inexpensive, versatile and very easy to find!
Moreover, it is also in this range of acidity that white vinegar is the cheapest !
Indeed, you can find 8% white vinegar for less than 50 cents per liter in most stores.
And the advantage is that you can also use it for food use.
As for white vinegar with a high acidity of 10% to 14%, use it for cleaning and descaling, because it will be more effective than that of 8%.
But given the price difference between these 2 types of white vinegar, it is always better to take the cheaper one.
Why ? Because the difference in efficiency is not as important as the difference in price...
Like wine vinegar or cider vinegar, alcohol vinegar results from the fermentation of an alcohol.
This alcohol comes from the fermentation of sugar beets or cereals, but also from sugar cane, corn or even brandy.
As for the coloured alcohol vinegar , a few drops of caramel are enough to give the white vinegar a nice amber color.
The colored vinegar is particularly popular for making a vinaigrette and dressing salads for example.
White vinegar is a really economical product if you know where to buy it.
Its price varies between 0.30 and 0.50 € per litre .
On the other hand, know that you should never buy white vinegar on the Internet!
Why ? Because it is simply overpriced! So it's a big scam!
You do not believe me ? Judge for yourself:here, for example, you will find a white vinegar sold in a spray for more than €5, i.e. 10 times the price!
Amazing! It's just marketing, so be careful...
It is therefore best to go to your supermarket to find a white vinegar at the best price.
Discover here our comparison of the price of white vinegar by supermarket.
And you, what white vinegar do you usually use at home? Tell us in comment. We can't wait to read you!
