The natural cleaner can actually do serious damage to appliances and other household items:
Clothes Iron
Never add vinegar to the tank; it could permanently damage the inside of the appliance. Most steam irons have a protective coating inside the chamber, but acid can eat away at the lining, and then the metal parts are next.
Countertops
If you want to keep your stone countertops looking beautiful, don’t reach for vinegar. The acid etches and dulls natural stone such as marble and limestone. It can make them lose their shine, which Sansoni likens to scarring. With other durable stones, such as granite, vinegar can break down any sealers that have been applied.
Dishwashers
You may have heard that running a dishwasher with a bowl of vinegar in it will help get rid of hard-water film and lingering odors. Some people even use vinegar as a rinse aid. Vinegar is ineffective at getting rid of water spots, and some dishwasher manufacturers warn that the acetic acid can eat away at the rubber parts in the appliance.
Electronic Screens
When mixed with the right ratio of water, vinegar can be great at leaving windows streak-free. But never use it on an electronic screen like that on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or TV. "Vinegar can damage a screen's anti-glare properties and even make a touch screen less responsive.
Flooring Diluted vinegar can dissolve the finish that protects the wood and leave it looking cloudy, dull, or scratched. (The same goes for wood furniture.)
Knives
You want to keep vinegar away from some grades of stainless steel. Tools with exposed edges, like kitchen knives, are especially vulnerable. Vinegar can damage the finish on knives and leave the edge pitted.
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