Vinegar is one of the best natural solutions on the planet, but most people don't love the smell. It's really easy to take plain old white distilled vinegar and turn it into scented cleaning vinegars that make this already amazing cleaner even more powerful as well as more pleasant to the nose. This tutorial will show you how to make scented cleaning vinegars with easy step by step instructions as well as show you the added benefits of adding fruit and herbs can do!
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Adding fruit peels and herbs to distilled white vinegar gives it a much better scent, and it also can turn the vinegar into a natural degreaser, disinfectant, antibacterial cleaner and even a cleaner that is safe on wood surfaces!
WARNING! Vinegar should never be used to clean granite. It can cause permanent damage!
Orange Scented Vinegar is great for cutting through grease and removing tough stains from surfaces. To make your orange scented vinegar, you will need a cup of orange peels or 20 drops of orange essential oils (Purchase HERE).
Rosemary Scented Vinegar is an amazing antibacterial cleaner that works great on countertops, tabletops and just about anywhere in your home. To make rosemary scented vinegar, you will need 4-8 sprigs of fresh rosemary or 20 drops of rosemary essential oil (Purchase HERE).
Pine Scented Vinegar is perfect for cleaning wood surfaces like tables, butcher block and cutting boards. To make pine scented vinegar, you will need a few clippings from your favorite pine tree or bush or 20 drops of pine essential oils (Purchase Here).
Lemon Scented Vinegar is a fabulous disinfectant that is great for countertops and bathrooms. To make lemon scented vinegar, you will need one cup of lemon peels or 20 drops of lemon essential oils (Purchase HERE).
If you don't have these available, you can substitute 20 drops of essential oils for each of the scents. Now...onto the step by step instructions!
How to Make DIY Cleaning Vinegar
Step 1 - Add fruit peels, herb sprigs or essential oils to a Mason Jar ( Purchase HERE ) or large sealable glass container.
Step 2 - Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled white vinegar.
Step 3 - Seal the jar and allow it to sit for 12-24 hours.
Step 4 - Use a funnel and pour the scented vinegar into a clean Spray Bottle ( Purchase HERE ). It's much easier if you strain the vinegar using a colander to remove the peels or herb sprigs.
Step 4 - Add a cute Chalkboard Label ( Purchase HERE ) and use your scented vinegars to clean your entire home and leave it clean and smelling amazing too!
PRO TIP! A reader of mine shared that since vinegar can make the mason jar lids rust, she places a piece of parchment paper between the lid and the jar. The lid should still screw on with ease! LOVE this tip!
Cheryl says
Thanks Jessica...everything I've tried from your blog has been wonderful....
You say to strain, but the final pictures show peels/sprigs in the spray bottle...do you add fresh?
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Jessica says
To be honest, I just add a few in after straining because I think it's pretty...it's totally unnecessary though ;)
Nancy says
Hi love this idea but I have 2 questions
Does adding orange peels to vinegar make your surfaces sticky? Also once I take out the orange peels can I also add essential oils to the mixture? Thanks
Jessica says
The orange peels will naturally release the oils in their peels over time, but will not make it sticky at all. If you wanted to, you could skip using the orange peels and just use 15-20 drops of orange essential oil, but there isn't really a need for both. If you'd like it a little stronger, you could totally add some more essential oils to it, or even mix in something like rosemary oil to make an orange rosemary scented vinegar. Hope this helps!
Gloria says
No, and if you happen to have a problem with ants- add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and spray where you see them. Leave it there about 15 minutes, wipe away, spray some clean spray down and you won’t see any more ants 🐜.
Laura says
I have used cinnamon sticks or/& cinnamon powder and sprinkled alongside the crevices of the kitchen counter. No more ants ! * I personally suggest using the sticks because the powder can get REALLY messy! Haha =D
Diane N says
Peppermint essential oil is a safe, natural deterrent for most insects and rodents.
Carol Kahlmorgan says
I love your ideas. I am using the dryer sheet and softener. I am going to try the vinegar cleaners.
Jessica says
Thank you, Carol! Hope you love the cleaning vinegars!
Kathy Nichols says
Do you use vinegar full strength?! I usually see diluted with water
Jessica says
I do...I rarely dilute vinegar when using it to clean. You can if you like though.
Tess S. says
Please remind your readers not to use ANY vinegar on granite or other natural stone. It will permanently etch the stone! Otherwise, these recipes are fabulous! I've been using the orange vinegar in my wash as softener and it is great! looking forward to trying the rosemary version!
C N says
Can vinegar be used on caesarstone?
Cassandra Ruiz says
Hi, how much do you use for softener? And how long does one Mason jar of this stay fresh? Thanks!
Muriel says
Would cinnamon sticks work?
Jessica says
Absolutely! What a great idea!
Gloria says
That sounds so good, I can’t wait to try it! 🤗
Rebecca says
Is there an expiration or proper way to store these?
Kimberly B. says
Hi Jess. I make my own vinegar from excess jars of kombucha. Leave it go and it turns into a lovely cooking or cleaning vinegar. It looks like I'll be adding some scents now. Thank you for the amazing cleaning recipes. I have your recipes in bottles to clean stainless steel, window cleaner, and bath cleaner (which also works great on my glass stove top). Wish you were on Youtube too!
Jessica says
Hi, Kimberly! Thanks for the kind words! Funny you should mention that...I'm on Youtube, but haven't put a ton of my videos there. I'm actually working on adding a TON of video to Youtube in the next couple of weeks!
Cherie says
Hi Jess, do the spray bottles have to be glass or is plactic ok? I save my empty plastics because I can't bear to throw them out, even in the recycle bin, until they are dead.
Jessica says
Hi, Cherie! They can be either plastic or glass...feel free to use your recycled plastic bottles :)
Blessing S says
Thanks for the tips Jess. They are actually doable on a low budget which works best for me. Am a single mom in a less developed country with no steady income...so ideas like this come in quite handy. You are doing a great job
Lyn says
Can’t believe I have been using lemon essential oil and didn’t even think to use good old fashioned lemon peel. The use of rosemary looks fabulous too!
Elizabeth says
How would u make lavender vinegar?
Kristen says
How often should I change out the lemon, orange rinds and rosemary and pine needles? Made my first batch the other day cleaning with it today.
Zara says
Can I use the orange or lemon for cleaning dark hardwood floors? Not sure if it would be safe or not.
Thanks!
Shannon says
Could I use grapefruit peel as another option?
Wanda says
Also wondering if I can use Grapefruit peel...
Jessica says
I think that would be a great option!
Heather Hicks says
Do you know what the contact time would be for disinfecting a surface?
Melissa says
No vinegar on granite...do you have suggestions for cleaning granite counter tops?
Barbara says
I haave just found this site. Some great ideax that I am going to try. thanks for the ideas. Barbara
Shelby Causey says
Can I put rosemary sprigs and orange peels together ? Or would that not work....I have fresh rosemary growing in the back yard and my family eats oranges like it’s going out of style, so having a natural grease fighter AND disinfectant would be an optimum use for what may be wasted otherwise....Thanks!
Jessica says
You absolutely can...they work great together!
George Ann Jaramillo says
Thanks Jessica, I appreciate all your information. I use vinegar with Dawn dish soap to clean my bathrooms, except for the floors(Dawn makes too much suds). I got this tip from Pinterest also. Gonna try the orange with vinegar. I've found that Peroxide works great for cleaning bathroom mirrors, probably windows too, in case anyone is interested. : )
June says
My Grandmother always used Vinegar and newspapers to clean her windows and mirrors...Think it comes from the Depression era but, never put anything in it!
Jackie says
Thank you so much for sharing your cleaning tips! I am wanting to do some deep cleaning once the kids go back to school & will totally have to try this. I am going to do some professional carpet cleaning too! Thanks again!!!
Jennifer says
Hi there, curious on how long these mixtures will last in glass bottle sprayers?
Joyce says
You should. have a print option on your recipes.
Thanks