Question

Does Vinegar kill the flu Virus?

Answer 1

Vinegar can be used as a disinfectant as the properties vinegar possesses are acidic in nature due to its citric acid present in it. As we know, vinegar can be used as a natural cleaner in household chores like- sinks, countertops and also in surfaces. Around the house, vinegar is also used for door cleaning and window pane removing dirt.

Complete answer:
It is true that vinegar is used as a disinfectant that means they are used for killing bacteria and viruses. Hence, it is important to recognize the difference between the viruses which are healthy and do not cause diseases and the flu virus.
Cleaners are those which only remove dirt and debris not the entire germs, cleaners cannot eliminate germs from the surface while disinfectants are capable of destroying germs and inactivate the viruses and bacteria so that they cannot cause any harm to other organisms.
So, as a cleaner white distilled vinegar which contains $5$ percent of acetic acid used to dissolve debris. Vinegar can be used as both cleaner and disinfectant. Flu virus or common cold is a spreadable disease which is highly spreadable through using utensils or clothes or any items from the infected person.
However, vinegar can control the infection to spread at a certain level but it can stop being spread or cannot be removed entirely from the surfaces or from any items as vinegar has some limits. It can remove or kill pathogens such as- E. coli , Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.
The above pathogens are caused by foodborne diseases. But if vinegar is used in high concentration or the concentration can increase then it may kill the influenza virus. The malt vinegar with a whooping $10\%$ may kill the influenza type A virus.

Note:
Still, vinegar cannot kill a virus having COVID-$19$. Vinegar have its own limitations it is suitable for cleaning only household germs other disinfectants like-ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, phenolic compounds which are highly corrosive and are highly inflammable are used for killing multiple pathogens like-bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. Sodium hypochlorite is used as a disinfectant outdoors or for water treatments.