Vinegar, a staple condiment in many Asian households, has long been used as an effective disinfectant.
So, does boiling vinegar actually clean the air?
The short answer is no, as far as current scientific research is concerned.
Acetic acid, the active component of vinegar, is capable of killing pathogens, but only through direct contact. A 2000 study published in the journal Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology demonstrated that vinegar can eliminate Staphylococcus aureus, which causes a range of illnesses — from minor skin problems to life-threatening diseases — and Escherichia coli, which normally live in the intestines but have few strains that cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections and even cancer.
Direct contact with 10% malt vinegar can also inactivate influenza A, according to a 2010 study published in the journal PLOS ONE. As with 1% bleach and 0.1% detergent, researchers found it a suitable means to disinfect surfaces contaminated with the virus.
More recently, a 2014 study published in the journal mBio revealed that vinegar can kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (TB) in humans. According to researchers, the pathogen is “efficiently” killed after 30 minutes of exposure to 6% acetic acid.
Interestingly, vinegar steam has also been used as a disinfectant in the West, as in the case of a 1745 outbreak involving cattle in Montpellier, France. At the time, Medical Faculty recommended fumigation of cowsheds using the vapor, along with juniper wood.
Still, no scientific study has evaluated the efficiency of vinegar steam as an influenza killer, let alone an air purifier. Quora user Mark Lundquist, a physician, debunked the “old wife’s tale” in a thread, writing that boiling the liquid will only make one’s house smelly.
“Acetic acid in sufficient concentration to disrupt influenza virions (a) would be toxic to humans, and (b) would not be achievable by boiling vinegar on the stovetop. But even more fundamentally, the virus particles that cause flu are not ‘in the air,’ per se.
“They are in moisture droplets from nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (i.e., nose/mouth/throat) secretions, which get aerosolized when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those droplets spray onto bystanders or fall onto surfaces that somebody else then touches, then when that person touches their own face they can become infected. That’s how flu spreads. There’s no ‘disinfecting the air,’ because the air is not ‘infected!’”
If anything, vinegar steam may better be tried as a deodorizer. Amanda Sims, an editor, swears by simmering white vinegar on the stovetop to get rid of “an unwanted kitchen smell.”
“I tried it after cooking a big vat of soup with sausage in it, which smells actually very good but gets old after a whole day of smelling it, and I absolutely think the bubbling vinegar helped clear out the air more quickly. When I needed to leave the house, I just turned the burner off and let it sit, then came home to an apartment that smelled, wonderfully, like nothing,” she said, according to Food52.
FAQs
The short answer is no, as far as current scientific research is concerned. Acetic acid, the active component of vinegar, is capable of killing pathogens, but only through direct contact.
Why do Chinese people boil vinegar? ›
Vinegar, a staple condiment in many Asian households, has long been used as an effective disinfectant. According to Chinese folklore, even steam from boiling vinegar can purify the air -- so much that people in Guangdong, for one, rushed to buy white vinegar stocks during a pneumonia scare in 2003.
What does boiling vinegar do? ›
However, when you boil vinegar, the water element is boiled off, and the acetic acid is left in a more concentrated volume. When vinegar is boiled, the concentration of acetic acid vapours can reach unsafe levels. Breathing in these vapours can cause irritation to the lungs, respiratory system, and eyes.
What are the side effects of breathing vinegar? ›
Breathing vapours with high levels of acetic acid can cause irritation of eyes, nose and throat, cough, chest tightness, headache, fever and confusion. In serious cases damage to the airways, a fast heart rate and eye damage can occur.
What does vinegar do to infections? ›
Vinegar can kill microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses and treat yeast infections. Due to its antimicrobial properties, vinegar has been used for the treatment of ear infections, warts, and nail fungus. It has also been used to treat certain skin infections and burns.
Is Chinese black vinegar good for health? ›
Black vinegar works to detoxify your body and balance out its pH level. Second, the warming nature of black vinegar can help improve overall blood flow and circulation as well as counteract against symptoms of high blood pressure.
What happens if I boil apple cider vinegar? ›
If you boiled water with ACV in it for longer than 10 minutes, you'd likely kill the bacteria, so you definitely want to avoid that. Both dietitians suggest preserving as many live/active bacteria as possible, by pouring ACV into cool or warm water, not in your boiling water when making tea.
Is vinegar safe for lungs? ›
Many household items can be used to clean your home without triggering asthma symptoms, including the following: White vinegar. Hydrogen peroxide. Baking soda.
What should you never do while taking apple cider vinegar? ›
In a nut shell: don't take too much ACV, don't apply it directly onto your skin, consult your doctor if you're taking any serious medication before consuming ACV, dilute ACV before drinking it and manage your expectations when it comes to ACV.
What does vinegar do when sick? ›
It's often used as a home remedy for colds. Researchers are still figuring out why it may help you feel better, and if there are some people it won't benefit. Some people also use apple cider vinegar as an expectorant to break up the congestion that comes with a cold, while others use it to help boost their immunity.
When a wound is healing, there are certain times when it will benefit from a change in the kind of wound care being applied. Vinegar soaks are often very helpful in finishing the wound healing. 1.
Does boiling vinegar deodorize the air? ›
Similar to boiling lemons or making stovetop potpourri, vinegar steam is a great way to neutralize potent smells. Add half a cup of vinegar to one cup of water and simmer on the stove while you cook (or after) to absorb any smells in the air.
What does eating vinegar mean in Chinese? ›
吃醋 (Chīcù)
Literal translation: “to eat vinegar.” However, saying that someone is “eating vinegar” means that they are jealous about something. It is a very old term, alluded to a classical story of the Tang Dynasty.
Do you boil vinegar for pickling? ›
Vinegar-based pickles are the most common form of pickling. Cut vegetables are submerged in just boiled vinegar brine.
Why is vinegar used in Chinese cooking? ›
It's commonly used in dishes such as dumplings, stir-fries, and even as a dip for dim sum. The flavor of Chinese black vinegar is complex and rich, with notes of sweetness, umami, and a subtle smokiness. This unique taste makes it a favorite ingredient in many Chinese dishes.
