Cider vinegar (also known as apple cider vinegar) is a common household item and was used for many purposes, including cooking, cleaning, and as a natural disinfectant. But one question comes up repeatedly: Does vinegar harm plastic?
Understanding Vinegar
Now, to grasp the whole picture about whether vinegar is destructive to plastic, let’s take a step back to review exactly what vinegar is and how it works.
What is Vinegar?
Vinegar is a solution of acetic acid in water. Household vinegar contains 5-8% acetic acid and therefore is considered a mild acid. The low concentration is why vinegar is safe for everyday home applications, from cooking to cleaning.
How is Vinegar Made?
The process of making vinegar can be either synthetical or by fermentation. During fermentation, sugars are converted into alcohol, which are further fermented into acetic acid. This all-natural, environmentally friendly process is one of many reasons vinegar is widely considered a safe and environmentally inoffensive cleaning agent.
Why is Vinegar So Popular?
Vinegar’s mild acidity also makes it a natural substitute for chemical cleaners. It’s good at cutting grease, limescale and odors and it’s safe for the environment. But, like any substance, its interaction with materials like plastic introduces concerns we’ll take a closer look at.
Common Types of Plastics Used in Containers
Before we get into whether vinegar will damage plastic, we have to look at plastics and understand the types used in food and other containers we use in our homes.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET, a lightweight and durable plastic, is used for bottles and food containers. It’s food-grade and safe for holding consumable products like vinegar. Its molecular structure is stable enough to resist mild acids used in cooking, such as vinegar.
This material is available on a roll.
Another well-known food-grade plastic is HDPE. You’ll see it in milk jugs, detergent bottles and vinegar bottles. HDPE works great for vinegar storage as it is highly durable and chemically resistant, so it will not degrade when vinegar is present.
Will Vinegar Damage Plastic?
Answer the big question directly: Does vinegar hurt plastic?
General Answer
Vinegar, for the most part, does not harm regular plastics. Vinegar is a mild acid (water-diluted acetic acid) and common plastics such as PET and HDPE can resist such products.
Which Standard Plastics Are Safe with Vinegar
Plastics like HDPE and PET are durable because they are made up of strong molecular chains that are resistant to weak acids. Vinegar cannot penetrate through or dissolve these materials, even after extended exposure.
What About Other Plastics?
Once again, vinegar is typically safe to use for lower-grade plastics (like #1,2,3,4,6, and 7) because it’s so diluted. However, that may not matter for all plastic types — heat, or extended use, for example — and there may also be a difference between standard and non-standard plastics that we’ll address in the next section.
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Special Conditions
While vinegar is safe for most plastics, there are cases in which it can damage them.
Prolonged Exposure
- Lower-tier plastics like Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) can show a tendency to break down more readily when exposed to vinegar for long periods. Acetic acid in vinegar can weaken the structure of these plastics over time.
Elevated Temperatures
- If you put a vinegar-filled plastic container under high temperature, an acid reaction with the plastic may enhance, resulting in warping or weakening of plastic material.
Aging and Deterioration
- Some plastics are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally over time when exposed to environmental conditions. These old plastics can also become brittle or discolored more quickly than normal when vinegar is involved.
Impact on Plastic Additives
When you hear the word plastics, you may only think of polymers, but these materials are all compounded with various additives to improve their properties. But vinegar can cause these additives to be less effective.
Common Additives in Plastics
- Plasticisers: Helps in making the material flexible.
- Stabilizers Improve the resistance of insulators to heat and oxidation.
- Vm Colorants: Give color to the plastic.
How Additives are Reacted to by Vinegar
While vinegar doesn’t directly break down the plastic itself, it can potentially cause those additives to leach out to the surface. This is part of a process known as additive leaching, which can result in:
- Brittleness
- Color fading
- Shorter lifespan of the plastic
Plastics That may Use Vinegar to Damage
Most plastics are fine with vinegar, but some are more susceptible.
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This malleable plastic is used in products such as plastic wraps and grocery bags. Since LDPE is a soft and porous and because a vinegar is relatively acidic, long term exposure to cooking with vinegar in high heat may do damage to the LDPE.
Other Low-Grade Plastics
The more inexpensive plastics that aren’t meant to be used long term or that aren’t used with acidic ingredients can also break down quicker when used with vinegar. Unlike food-grade plastics, these plastics usually are not molecularly stable.
Plastics That Are Safe for Vinegar Storage
For wondering which plastics are safe to use for vinegar, the safest selections include:
HDPE (High-density polyethylene)
HDPE is very durable and will resist acids, making it an ideal ingredient for vinegar storage. This plastic is commonly used to make vinegar bottles.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Another great option for vinegar storage is PET. Because it is stable, food-grade, and reusable, it is a trusted substance for containers.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Due to its chemical resistance, PVC is also safe for vinegar storage. But unlike HDPE and PET, not so much for food use.
Using Different Containers for Vinegar
If you do not want to store vinegar in plastic, others are safe.
Glass Containers
Glass is non-reactive and will not react with vinegar, so it is the safest option for storage. Not to mention it’s eco-friendly and reusable.
Stainless Steel
If feeding in large quantities, Stainless Steel is also great. It’s tough, non-reactive and resists corrosion.
Example: Using Vinegar with Plastic
Below are some must do’s to use vinegar safely with plastic:
- Avoid Long-Term Exposure:: Don’t store vinegar in plastic containers for extended periods. Store permanently in glass or stainless steel.
- Keep an Eye on Containers: Plastic containers should be checked regularly to ensure there is no degradation, like cracks or discoloration.
- Select Suitable Plastics: Avoid anything but HDPE and PET containers for vinegar.
- Do not expose them to high temperatures, as this could cause the plastic container in question to warp or become damaged.
Addressing Misconceptions
It will depend on what vinegar you useThere are some myths about vinegar and plastics. Let’s get something straight:
- Myth: Vinegar dissolves any type of plastic.
- This is a fact: Vinegar is safe with most plastics, especially food-grade plastics, such as HDPE and PET.
- MYTH: Vinegar is a harsh acid capable of eating through all materials.
- Fact: Vinegar is comprised mostly of water, with just 5-8% acetic acid, so it’s a mild acid and safe for most household applications.
Conclusion
Vinegar will not damage plastic surface; however, it can cause some plastic materials to become thin. The answer is no for most common plastics — think HDPE and PET — which are made to resist mild acids. But certain factors — such as prolonged exposure, heat and low-grade plastics — can cause wear and tear.
If you decide to get creative, make sure to use food-safe plastics such as HDPE and PET, or better yet, use glass or stainless steel, which will not react with the acidity level. These rules will allow you to use vinegar without concern that you’ll damage your plastic.
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