Look up any cleaning hack and you will see white vinegar as one of the magic ingredients From removing stubborn stains to removing dirt to deodorizing, white vinegar seems to solve every problem in knowing how to clean every room in your home

Moreover, white vinegar is a natural ingredient that can easily be found in kitchen cupboards, saving you the trouble of buying chemical-laden cleaning products And when used with baking soda (baking soda's partner), it makes an ideal cleaning combo to tackle household chores

But did you know that there are some things you should never clean with white vinegar? Despite its cleaning power, white vinegar is not very good for certain surfaces because of its high acidity To avoid damage (and cost), this is the top of the list of things that experts warn should never be cleaned with white vinegar Don't even think about it

The acidity of vinegar can etch or abrade the surface of natural stone This can cause discoloration to the finish and ruin its smooth, shiny appearance Furthermore, natural stone, such as marble and granite, is an expensive material, and repairing scratches can be costly

The best way to keep marble and granite tops shiny is to use dish detergent and warm water Make no mistake: it is the best way to keep your marble or granite tops shiny

Similarly, the frequent use of white vinegar to clean waxed or varnished furniture will wear away the shiny surface Many cleaning hacks recommend using vinegar to clean furniture and dining tables, but be careful about the type of surface When in doubt, purchase a wood cleaner like this Therapy Furniture Polish & Wood Cleaner Kit ($16, Amazon) to keep your furniture in tip-top shape

The acidity in white vinegar can damage hardwood floors and strip away shiny surfaces Instead, use a gentle cleaner like warm soapy water to maintain beautiful hardwood flooring Wetting the floor or leaving too much moisture on the hardwood may cause the floor to warp over time You can also protect your flooring with a hardwood floor cleaner like Rejuvenate Professional Wood Floor Restorer and Polish ($21, Amazon) If you don't want to do the work yourself, check out our best selection of robot mops

If you have a stain on a fine knife, avoid washing it with white vinegar The acidic ingredients can corrode metal blades and dull the edge of the knife The best way to care for your knife is to wash it with soap and warm water and dry it thoroughly

White vinegar has a reputation for removing stubborn stains, but not egg stains The acidity of the vinegar only hardens the eggs (just like adding vinegar to water to boil eggs), making them more difficult to remove

The best way to safely remove egg stains is to mix a solution of 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of cold water Then dip a sponge, white cloth, or soft bristle brush into the solution and blend it into the stain When the stain floats, wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel

It may be tempting to use white vinegar to get a shiny, mark-free screen, but that is not a good idea Vinegar only removes the protective coating from the screen, so don't use it on electronics Instead, use a microfiber cloth to wipe off dust and dirt You can also purchase a specially formulated cleaner, such as Eveo Screen Cleaner Spray ($20, Amazon), to make your screen shine

Avoid cleaning anything with white vinegar, including the rubber in your washing machine or refrigerator The strong acidity of white vinegar can wear down the rubber and cause it to deteriorate over time For deep cleaning and deodorizing rubber, it is safest to use soapy water or a solution of warm water and baking soda

If any of this surprises you, here are 10 things you didn't know you could clean with baking soda