“Mix vinegar and salt in a glass of water and just leave it in the room you’re always in. Here’s what happens.”
This is a common viral post, but there’s no good scientific evidence that simply leaving a glass of water, vinegar, and salt in a room has special effects on your health or the room itself.What actually happens is fairly ordinary:
- The vinegar smell may temporarily mask some odors, but it doesn’t meaningfully purify the air.
- The salt dissolves in the water and stays there. It doesn’t “absorb negative energy,” toxins, or bad vibes.
- Some water may evaporate over time, leaving behind salt crystals or changing the liquid level.
- If left out for days, dust, mold, or bacteria can collect in the glass, especially if it’s uncovered.
Claims that this mixture:
- removes negative energy,
- attracts positive energy,
- detects jealousy or evil,
- cleanses your home,
- or improves your health
are not supported by scientific evidence.
If your goal is to:
- Reduce odors: Clean the source of the odor and improve ventilation. Vinegar can help clean some surfaces, but a glass of vinegar isn’t an effective air purifier.
- Improve indoor air quality: Regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and using a HEPA air purifier (if needed) are much more effective.
So, this viral “vinegar, salt, and water” trick is mostly a social media myth. It won’t harm the room if left out briefly, but it also won’t produce the dramatic results these posts often imply.
