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This story is part of Home Tips , CNET's collection of practical tips for making the most of your home, inside and out.

Someone has probably told you that adding vinegar to your dishwasher's rinse aid or detergent compartment is a good way to keep your dishes spotless. While it can keep water stains at bay and give your glasses the shine you want, white vinegar can ruin your dishwasher.

Yes, we understand that vinegar is a fraction of the cost of rinse aid. But do you really want to spend 800 euros if your dishwasher stops working?

Therefore, you should not use vinegar as a rinse aid. If you still want to use it, we'll tell you the best method so you don't ruin your dishwasher. (You can also check out our definitive guide to loading a dishwasher properly .)

White vinegar can destroy your dishwasher

White vinegar is great for everyday cleaning, from cleaning your kitchen sink to cleaning your showerhead . Also ideal for removing limescale stains from dishes. But there are places it just doesn't belong, and your dishwasher's rinse aid compartment is one of them.

Distilled white vinegar is an acid with a pH of around 2 to 3 . For comparison, sulfuric acid, which destroys many substances it comes into contact with, has a pH of around 1.

So be aware that vinegar can damage your dishwasher's rubber seals and hoses, which can lead to costly damage. In addition, when vinegar mixes with salt residue on dishes, it can stain pots, cutlery and metal bowls.

Bottom Line: We recommend using rinse aids designed for use in a dishwasher, such as B. Finish or Cascade. Although they may also contain vinegar, the acidity is low enough not to harm the dishwasher or dishes.

If you must use vinegar, do so

If you're still determined to use vinegar in your dishwasher, you can, but don't put it in the rinse aid dispenser. Instead, follow these rules for cleaning your dishes in the dishwasher with vinegar to leave as little mess as possible.

• Use white vinegar with the lowest possible acidity. Most come with 6% acid, but if you can, try to find 5%. This is the lowest acid concentration for white vinegar and causes the least amount of damage.
• Pour vinegar on the bottom of your dishwasher during the rinse cycle to dilute it with water.
• Better yet, pour a cup of vinegar into a container and place it on the bottom rack of your dishwasher.

How to avoid water stains on your dishes

If you use rinse aid or vinegar and still notice water stains or other heavy buildup on your dishes, there's another problem. Chances are you have hard water and need to invest in a water softening system to prevent these stains.

Water is considered "hard" when it contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium compounds , which lead to mineral deposits on dishes, faucets, and bathtubs. Water softeners are systems that remove calcium and magnesium ions that cause water to be considered hard. Once the water is "soft" it won't stain your dishes and you'll never have to use vinegar in your dishwasher again.

For more cleaning tips, check out this trick to clogging your shower head fast . Also, learn how to unclog your toilet without a plunger .

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