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Vinegar natural cleaner


How to Make Aromatic Vinegar Spray for All-Purpose Cleaning

By

Karen Peltier

Karen Peltier

Karen Peltier is an expert on green living and natural cleaning methods who has contributed over 200 articles to The Spruce. On her blog, WellGal.com, Peltier covers natural cleaning methods for the home and tips on living an eco-conscious lifestyle.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 07/15/22

Reviewed by

Rhea Mehta

Reviewed by Rhea Mehta

Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning healthcare innovator and toxicologist who for the past decade has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Fact checked by

Emily Estep

Fact checked by Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and fact-checker focused on environmental sciences. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Ohio University. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

The Spruce / Bailey Mariner

In This Article

Project Overview

A white vinegar cleaning solution is very easy to whip up in a batch when you need it.

What Is White Vinegar?

White vinegar is a sour-tasting liquid made from grain alcohol that is fermented to produce acetic acid. The difference between distilled white vinegar and white vinegar is the amount of acetic acid each contains. Distilled vinegar has less acetic acid in it than white vinegar.

White vinegar is a powerful DIY green cleaning product because of its grime-dissolving and disinfectant properties. A cleaning solution with vinegar rivals any commercial cleaner for effectiveness and can be used throughout your home. Most commercial cleaning solutions contain synthetic chemicals that have unpleasant odors and may come with health risks, especially to individuals with skin sensitivities or allergies. Learn below why vinegar works, how to create a fragrant homemade cleaning vinegar spray, and how to use it around your home.

Why Cleaning With Vinegar Works

The low pH and acetic acid content of vinegar hinder the growth of microorganisms. Vinegar cleaner is, thus, a mild antiseptic, though it should not be regarded as a broad-spectrum disinfectant like bleach. Also, the essential oils add additional antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal qualities to your all-purpose cleaner. Finally, the high acidity level of vinegar serves to loosen mineral deposits, such as lime and calcium, and will help dissolve soap scum.

The Chemistry of Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural by-product of plant fermentation; the distilled white vinegar you buy is a mild solution that contains five percent to five percent acetic acid. For this reason, it is very effective at breaking down molds, grease (to a degree), and bacteria—substances that make up many household stains. The acidity of vinegar also serves as a mild antiseptic that hinders the growth of some bacteria. Its acidic nature also makes vinegar effective at dissolving mineral-based deposits, which by nature are alkaline in composition. 

How to Mix an Aromatic Vinegar Solution

This recipe makes eight ounces of the mixed solution, so multiply the ingredient amounts as needed to fit the size of your spray bottle. Also, this recipe creates a solution that is a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water. This is a good balance for most cleaning projects, but for very tough jobs, such as cleaning excessive mold and mildew, you can increase the potency of the solution by changing the vinegar to water ratio to 2:1 (2/3 cup vinegar to 1/3 cup water, for example).

Warning

Do not mix vinegar with bleach. Combining these two ingredients can be highly dangerous, because it will create toxic chlorine gas.

Using Essential Oils

Essential oils you might want to mix into your vinegar cleaning solution include basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lime, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. In addition, try these essential oil combinations that feature lavender and citrus scents:

The Spruce / Margot Cavin

Equipment / Tools

Materials

  1. Choose Your Oils

    Choose one or a combination of essential oils.

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Add Vinegar, Water, and Essential Oils

    Using a measuring cup and funnel, add the vinegar and water in the desired ratio, then the essential oils. Shake to combine.

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  3. Spray and Wipe

    To use, spray any areas that need to be cleaned, wipe with a lint-free cloth, rinse well, and wipe dry with another lint-free cloth.

    The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

  4. Label the Bottle

    Label the bottle clearly so you do not accidently use it for or with any other type of cleaning solution.

    The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

  5. Store the Bottle

    Store the bottle out of direct sunlight or heat, which can change the chemical constituents in the essential oils.

    The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

Tips for Using Vinegar Cleaner

Additional Cautions and Warnings

The 8 Best Bathroom Cleaners of 2022

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Mix Your Own Cleaning Solutions. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

  2. Dangers of Mixing Bleach With Cleaners. Washington State Department of Health.

19 Vinegar Cleaning Hacks That'll Save You Money

Vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that yields numerous benefits in and around your home — and it's so cheap!

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Family Handyman

Clean Rusty Tools With Vinegar

Catherine Miller found a much easier way to clean rusty tools than scraping and sanding them. She poured white vinegar into a tin can (we used glass) and put a rusty wood chisel in the vinegar to soak overnight.

The next day, with the help of a Scotch-Brite pad, all the rust came off with little effort. The blade still needed sharpening, but the chisel was almost as good as new. Catherine wraps larger tools in a vinegar-soaked rag, covers the rag with a plastic bag or plastic wrap and then leaves it for 24 hours. After cleaning off the rust, you just rinse the tool in the clear water and wipe it dry.

2 / 19

Get Rid of Salt Residue on Shoes

You can clean off the residue quickly with a simple solution you can make at home. Fill a spray bottle with water and add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar. Shake it up and spritz the mixture onto a clean paper towel. Gently wipe your shoes and watch the salt residue disappear. Keep the spray bottle near your shoe collection so you can clean off your shoes as the season goes.

3 / 19

M. Show/shutterstock

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Try using this homemade all-purpose cleaning solution on countertops and surfaces to disinfect and freshen your home. The recipe includes vinegar, which removes stains and odors, plus anti-microbial essential oils to keep your home germ free. Check out the instructions for this DIY all-purpose cleaner.

4 / 19

Family Handyman

Vinegar Gets the Gunk

I like to keep my lawn equipment really clean. For items like my string trimmer, I simply scrub off all the muck with an old dish brush and white vinegar. It takes about 15 minutes for my string trimmer to go from drab to fab. — Richard Johnson

5 / 19

Family Handyman

The Best DIY Gnat Trap to Try

Tired of the annoying gnats around your home? Gather a few small jars, pour in four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and whirl in a few drops of liquid dish soap. With the lids off, place the jars wherever you see the most gnats. The gnats will be drawn to the smell of the apple cider, but once they land in the mixture the soap makes it difficult for them to escape.

These non-toxic traps work like a dream. I set them out one night and the next morning, all the gnats were in the jars! — Gina Kinnan

6 / 19

Leszek Glasner/Shutterstock

Add Vinegar to Your Dishwasher

Use vinegar in your dishwasher to give your glassware an extra sparkle and prevent filmy residue from hard water.

To give this trick a whirl, make sure your dishwasher is full — the best and most environmentally conscious way to go — then grab a small bowl that’s dishwasher safe. Pour it half full of white vinegar (yes, we’re optimists) and stabilize it in the top rack. To avoid damage to the dishwasher’s gaskets, don’t pour the vinegar directly into the rinse aid compartment. Then add dishwasher soap and run a regular cycle.

From its top-tier position, the vinegar should evenly distribute among both levels. Then remove and enjoy your gleaming glassware.

7 / 19

Isabel Eve & amazon. com/Shutterstock

Erase Algae with White Vinegar

Forget renting a power washer! To eliminate that unwanted icky green stuff on your patio, spray it with full-strength distilled white vinegar.

8 / 19

Family Handyman

Thin Wood Glue

I recently wrote to the Borden Company, asking what to do when their Elmer’s wood glue becomes too thick to use. They suggested mixing in a drop or two of vinegar. It sounded like an old wives’ tale, but I tried it and found it really works.

9 / 19

Paul Biryukov/Shutterstock

Simple Cleaner Soft Scrub 

Industrial soft scrub cleaners can contain strong chemical ingredients, but you can get your tub and shower just as clean with a homemade cleaner. This simple soft scrub recipe will clean a bathroom faster and better. It uses a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, which dissolves hard mineral deposits and easily cuts through soap scum.

10 / 19

Yulia-Bogdanova & amazon.com/Shutterstock

Turn Pink Hydrangeas Blue with Vinegar

Unlike baking soda, distilled white vinegar is acidic, and acidic soil is the secret to turning your pink hydrangeas blue. (Note: This doesn’t work on white hydrangeas.) Vinegar also enhances the soil of acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons and gardenias. Use a cup of white distilled vinegar to a gallon of tap water.

11 / 19

Vinaigrette Scratch Remover

Minor scratches in wood furniture don’t need to be sanded out; you can hide them. Mix one part vinegar with three parts canola or olive oil and wipe it on the scratch using a soft cloth. The scratch virtually disappears, and you can dress your salad with the leftovers.

12 / 19

Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock

Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Many commercial toilet bowl cleaners use chlorine bleach, but not this natural toilet bowl cleaner. Instead, castile soap and baking soda get the job done. Plus, you won’t have to worry about accidentally exposing your pets or children to toxic toilet water.

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Family Handyman

Brilliant DIY Indoor Fly Trap

Wondering how to get rid of annoying flies around your home? Wash a plastic beverage bottle and cut off the top. Stick the cutoff top upside down in the bottle’s bottom. Mark a line slightly below the bottle’s spout. This will serve as a “fill to” line. Fill with apple chunks, the riper the better, and two cups of white vinegar to deter bees from the trap. Place the cutoff top upside down in the bottle. Flies can easily get into the wide opening, but it’s difficult for them to get back out.

Note: The better the bait, the more effective these fly traps will be. Any type of decomposing fruit or vegetable will work, too. Try different ingredients to see what’s most effective in your house. Because you’re using rotting food to attract the flies, make sure to place the homemade fly trap where the smell won’t bother you or the neighbors.

14 / 19

New Africa/Shutterstock

Lemon and Vinegar Cleaner

Skip the expensive store-bought surface cleaners and make an all-purpose homemade cleaning solution using vinegar. Just mix one part distilled white vinegar, two parts water and a squeeze of lemon juice. This homemade cleaner works in the kitchen, bathroom and on floors. You can add a little baking soda to help whiten grout and sinks, just rinse with water after scrubbing. Check out these 14 clever uses for baking soda at home.

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Africa Studio/shutterstock

Homemade Window Cleaner

Forget using chemical cleaners to wash windows. They’ll look clean as a whistle with this all-natural homemade window cleaner, which uses vinegar and cornstarch to buff those fingerprints away.

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Family Handyman

DIY Wood Stain

No need to buy a stain for your next woodworking project. It only takes a few common household ingredients: steel wool, coffee grounds and vinegar.

Place a steel wool pad into a Mason jar and add about 1/4 cup of used coffee grounds and about one to two cups of vinegar. Close the container, shake the mixture and let it stew overnight. Open the container and gently mix the stain. Using gloves, remove the steel wool and apply the stain to the project. As the stain dries it will become darker, so let the stain set for 20 minutes before applying the second coat. Repeat until you get the desired color.

Check out these pro tips for using varnish and stain.

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focal point/Shutterstock

An Old School Remedy

A little research will show you that cleaning wood floors with white vinegar and water is highly contested, but it’s definitely worth a try if you’re looking to avoid harmful chemicals.

Depending on the strength of acetic acid (the chemical component in vinegar that breaks down oils and sugars) you’re looking to apply to your floors, go for anywhere from a half cup to a full cup of vinegar per gallon of water. Another plus? If you’re into natural remedies, you likely already have a variety of vinegars in your cabinet or refrigerator (but probably avoid the red wine variety). Learn how to clean floors of all kinds.

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Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Clean Grease

Vinegar (acetic acid) cuts grease and doesn’t streak, which makes it ideal for cleaning glass. We recommend a solution of 50 percent white vinegar and 50 percent tap water. In most cases, vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner, but there are some things that you shouldn’t clean with it. Here are seven things you should never clean with vinegar.

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via amazon. com

A Clear Staple

Even professionals clean with vinegar. For an all-purpose cleaning solution, here’s what Shepard and his crew recommend: Mix equal measures of water and vinegar and a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Pour in a spray bottle and shake. “The lemon juice adds a sweet citrus smell while adding additional cleaning oomph. The citric acid in lemon is also an effective cleanser and a great deodorizer,” says Shepard.

Buy now

Vanessa Grimes of MaidGift advocates cleaning a baby’s nursery with vinegar. “When it comes to children’s rooms, it’s kind of difficult because most eco-friendly items do not offer the disinfecting elements,” she says. “And, the ones that do, have such harsh chemicals. I like to clean the nursery with plain white distilled vinegar and a few drops of scented oils, which cleans and also disinfect the surfaces. Baby’s room is left with a fresh, clean smell.”

Up next, see the many incredible uses for toothpaste.

Originally Published: July 24, 2021

How to make a cleaning agent out of baking soda and vinegar

Strong chemical solutions can irritate sensitive skin or give off unpleasant fumes, so sometimes it's better to make a safe dishwashing and house cleaning detergent using natural ingredients that you always have on hand. Making your own natural cleaning products is not only safe and environmentally friendly, but it can also save you some money. For example, if you learn how to make mustard detergent, then you only need to spend money on one inexpensive ingredient. Let's see how to make dishwashing liquid at home, which can also be used for cleaning. nine0003

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaner

If you want to make your own all-purpose cleaner, choose simple ingredients that are great for a variety of uses.

Here's what you need:

You can also use this baking soda and vinegar cleaner to clean surfaces and furniture in your home. Make a big batch, fill up a few spray bottles, and get everyone in the household involved in cleaning. nine0003

2. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner for Clothes Cleaning

We usually soak stains in hot water, but did you know that using natural cleaning solutions can also be very effective when it comes to removing stains from clothes? All you need is:

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste and rub in where the stain is. Add some lemon and you have a quick odor removal solution! nine0003

3. Natural oven cleaners

The products used to clean the oven are mostly made with chemicals, but the baking soda and vinegar cleaner actually guarantees a flawless result and a shiny oven every time. Here's what you need:

Make a paste, spread it inside the oven and let it sit overnight. The next day, spray some vinegar and wipe off the paste with a highly absorbent paper towel that should be strong enough to clean even when wet, such as Zewa Premium. To finish cleaning the oven, spray the vinegar again and wipe everything to a dazzling shine with a dry paper towel. nine0003

4. Glass cleaner

Have you ever cleaned a mirror or window only to end up with more streaks? Don't worry, there is a solution for this. It may take some time, but the result is really impressive. To make a baking soda and vinegar glass cleaner you will need:

Soak lemon zest in vinegar for a week or more, then strain the mixture. Mix equal parts lemon solution with water, pour into an aerosol can, and you're done! Be sure to wipe the glass with a clean sheet of paper towel to avoid stains. nine0003

5. Floor cleaner

Some floor cleaners can leave a tacky film on your tiles, and they often contain harmful chemicals. But not this cleanser! It has only two ingredients, and while it's not a disinfectant, it's the perfect cleaner for your kitchen and bathroom tiles. To make this DIY bath cleaner you will need:

Mix vinegar and water, wipe the floor and tiles with a damp cloth and see how everything sparkles around. After you're done, rinse off the cleaner with water and dry with a strong paper towel such as Zewa Premium.

6. Toilet cleaners

Cleaning the toilet is not one of our favorite activities, and the smell of bleach and other cleaning products can make it even less pleasant. But this simplest natural cleaner can get the job done with minimal effort. You will need:

Mix ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Spray everything around the toilet and leave for a few minutes. The solution combines natural cleansing properties, and the essential oil leaves a fresh pleasant smell.

After you've made these DIY all-purpose cleaners, share the magic formulas with your household in case their name appears on the cleaning list. nine0003

Do-it-yourself cleaning agent - a unique recipe.

Store-bought cleaning products can be harmful to your skin. They are not as natural and high quality as they want to seem. So, why not make your own cleaners?

Dear readers, Design Museum invites you to consider several options for using vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or a combination of these substances. The result is an all-purpose kitchen cleaner. nine0003

Using Vinegar

  1. You probably don't know, but vinegar is great for cleaning parquet. Simply mix half a cup of white vinegar with a glass of warm water, do not use on waxed floors.
  1. Vinegar is also the best helper in the kitchen. You can use it to clean your oven, as well as daily when you have problems with grease splatter. Use a brush or sponge to work with distilled vinegar.

3. Another interesting use of vinegar is as a cleaner for your car's rear window. Use a simple solution - a solution of vinegar and water works just fine, you can add lemon juice. Wipe the glass with crumpled newspapers. nine0003

4. We noticed that if you leave water in a glass, after a while, rings and lime deposits form on the surface. It is not so easy to remove it with ordinary cleaning products, you need something stronger. Lucky for you, the vinegar does the trick, dissolving the minerals and leaving the glass perfectly clean.

5. Very popular old way of using vinegar against mold, germs and bacteria. All you need is a spray bottle filled with vinegar. Use a tile cleaner in the kitchen and bathroom. Vinegar solution left overnight on a cutting board kills germs. nine0003

6. Use vinegar to clean brass fixtures. Just rub or soak the brass part of the candlestick in vinegar. After a while, it will sparkle clean.

7. Vinegar is also a great tool for polishing furniture. Dampen a soft waste cloth with a mixture of a quarter cup of vinegar, a few drops of oil, and wipe the surface. It will remain shiny and beautiful for a long time.

8. If for any reason there is an unpleasant smell in the house, just leave a bowl of vinegar in the room for a couple of hours and the smell will disappear. nine0003

9. The best solution to an ant problem is vinegar. All you need to do is spray vinegar on the ant track. The insects will disappear. Quite funny actually, but it's true.

10. Another interesting use of vinegar in the kitchen is cleaning drains with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by another shot of hot distilled vinegar, after 30 minutes, add plenty of hot water.

Best use of baking soda

  1. One of the most popular silver cleaners is baking soda. Simply make a paste of baking soda and water, apply the mixture to a clean rag, and rub while polishing your homemade silver.
  1. You can also use baking soda to clean your oven. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the oven, moisten it a little with water, making it wet, leave it overnight. In the morning, you can easily clean the oven with a kitchen sponge.

3. Use baking soda as a deodorant for your kitchen cutting board. Sprinkle the board with baking soda and rinse, it will be clean and fragrant just like new. nine0003

4. Get rid of odors in the refrigerator. Place a box of baking soda on the refrigerator door to absorb any odors. The bad smell will go away.

5. Baking soda is also good for cleaning drains. Pour one cup of baking soda into the pipe and pour three cups of hot water over it.

6. You can also use it to clean bathtubs or tiles. Mix half a cup of baking soda with liquid soap or detergent until you get a soufflé. Use a sponge to clean tiles or tubs. nine0003

7. Baking soda cleans the bristles of toothbrushes by soaking them in a mixture of baking soda and warm water. Leave them overnight in the solution and rinse with hot water in the morning.

8. Use baking soda to kill ants and cockroaches. Pour it under the sink and along the windows, creating a makeshift barrier. Insects eat soda and die.

9. If you have a puppy or kitten who has not mastered the art of using the toilet, you can remove the smell of the animal's urine with baking soda. Sprinkle on problem areas and leave for a few hours. Baking soda neutralizes acid odors. nine0003

10. In winter, the porch of your house will not be covered with ice if you sprinkle soda on the ice. When in contact with baking soda, the ice will melt. It will not damage the porch surfaces or shoes. Baking soda is the best substitute for rock salt.

Using Lemons

  1. The easiest way to use lemons is to throw them down the garbage chute to keep the air clean and fresh.
  1. Lemon juice easily removes scratches from furniture. Simply mix equal parts lemon juice and vegetable oil, and then rub the scratches with a soft cloth. nine0012

3. Lemon juice is also a great help when polishing furniture. Mix one part lemon juice and two parts olive oil. The furniture will shine, look like new.

4. Remove limescale from bathroom and kitchen taps with lemon peel. Rub it on the faucets, rinse and then dry with a soft cloth. This will make surfaces shiny and clean.

5. Have you started painting the walls in the house? Great, but in the end you have to remove dried paint from the surfaces of various objects. Do this by simply applying hot lemon juice. nine0003

6. If you have marble in your home, you can use lemon to remove stains from marble surfaces. Simply cut a lemon in half, dip the cut in salt, then rub the stain. But do not repeat too often, otherwise the acid may damage the marble.

7. Exceptionally gorgeous lemon-scented fireplace.

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