6 DIY Cleaners With Vinegar – That Smell Good!

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Are you looking for non-toxic cleaning solutions that are budget-friendly?

I have some great recipes for DIY cleaners with vinegar that smell good and have powerful cleaning abilities while being completely natural.

 

More than likely, your cupboard has a large stash of cleaning products from mopping solutions to window cleaners.

How would you like to swap those chemical-laden products for a natural cleaner that is non-toxic and inexpensive?

Well the answer, my friend, is VINEGAR.

Best DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

As a child, I remember only using that strong-smelling “stuff” at Easter when we dyed eggs, but now as an adult, I go through a gallon a month, no joke!

It is such a naturally green-cleaner without the hefty price-tag.

As a mom, I am always looking for more ways to save money, keep my kids healthy, and be better to the planet.

I have found so many household vinegar uses! From the windows to the floors, vinegar is my go-to ingredient for DIY cleaners.

How To Clean With Vinegar

With vinegar having so many uses, it is a staple in my home.

For years, I have been using a mix of water and vinegar as my homemade all-purpose cleaner.

After experimenting with more ingredients, I have found that adding other things such as essential oils or even alcohol, can take my vinegar/water multi-purpose cleaner to an all-new level.

How To Make Vinegar Cleaner Smell Better?

We all know that smell of vinegar can be quite unpleasant.

That is why I have a secret trick to make homemade vinegar cleaner smell good!

The answer is essential oils!

I use essential oils in many of my cleaners because I want a homemade vinegar solution that smells good, instead of so vinegary. 

The strong vinegar odor actually dissipates rather quickly and you’re left with the lovely scent of the essential oils.

So if you were wondering can you mix essential oils with vinegar, the answer is yes.

That being said, before you start experimenting with DIY vinegar cleaners, keep in mind there are some things vinegar should never be mixed with.

Never Mix Vinegar with these 2 Common Household Items:

• Bleach
• Hydrogen Peroxide

When mixed with vinegar, both of these items can cause harmful chemical reactions.

Many store-bought cleaning items could already have one of these two ingredients in them, so it’s safe not to mix any pre-made cleaner with vinegar as well.

Use the advice of my high-school chemistry teacher, “Think twice before mixing once”.

Never Use Vinegar to Clean

Even though vinegar is amazing at cleaning so many things, there are certain items you must never use it on because vinegar is acidic.

• Granite or Marble
• Hardwood Floors
• Waxed Furniture
• Unsealed Grout
• Tablet and TV Screens
• Irons

Vinegar can corrode some surfaces over time. ALWAYS dilute the vinegar with water to prevent any type of damage.

Homemade Cleaners With Vinegar

Vinegar can safely deodorize and disinfect most hard surfaces. Think about how cost-effective cleaning with vinegar and water can be.

You can easily “DIY” many cleaning solutions with vinegar. As I said, you can mix a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water for a great all-purpose cleaner.

However, I have come up with some really amazing cleaners by adding in several more ingredients.

Most of these DIY Vinegar cleaners will need their own spray bottle and don’t forget to label them.

DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Windows

• 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol
• 2 1/2 cups of water
• 15 drops of peppermint essential oil

Add the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well.

The reason I use peppermint is because it is a natural bug repellent so it’s great to use on windows.

Also, adding essential oil keeps the cleaner from streaking the glass. I also use this cleaner for mirrors and stainless steel appliances.

DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Floors

• 3 ounces of cleaning vinegar
• 16 ounces of hot water
• 1 squirt of dawn dishwashing detergent
• 5 drops Defender essential oil (an amazing oil that kills germs)

Add all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake well.

Spray on your tile or laminate flooring and use a microfiber mop.

I do not use this on hardwood floors because you should be very careful if ever using vinegar on hardwood flooring because the acid can dull the shine.

There is no need to heat this up when you use it. I use hot water when mixing it because it lets the dawn and vinegar mix together smoothly.

DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Carpet Stains

• 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 1 quart of warm water
• 5 drops of bergamot essential oil (the BEST smelling oil EVER)
• a sprinkle of baking soda

Mix the vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Liberally spray the stain and scrub. Sprinkle baking soda over it, and let it dry for several hours. Vacuum it all up. The stain and smell should be gone.

 

DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Clogged Drains and Toilets

• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups of boiling water water

Sprinkle the baking soda in your clogged drain or stopped up the toilet. Mix the vinegar and water together and add it to the drain.

This really works!

I’ve used it on clogged toilets and sinks with no problems. Plus, it is septic safe.

DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Microwave

• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 2 drops of Clean and Fresh essential oil (to mask the vinegar smell)
• 1 toothpick

Add all ingredients to a microwave-safe bowl. Add the toothpick to the mix to keep the water from boiling over. Then, microwave it for 5 minutes. Let it set in the microwave for 5 minutes before you open it.

Use a sponge to easily wipe out all the grime that the vinegar steam has loosened.

An easier method, and one that is fun for the kids to watch, is to just add all these ingredients to the Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner.

DIY Vinegar Cleaner for Fruits and Vegetables

When I buy fruits and vegetables, I immediately soak them in a mix of vinegar and water before storing them in the refrigerator.

Not only is it great at killing any bacteria or mold spores that could be lingering, but it also seems to make the produce last several days longer.

• 1 part water
• 3 parts distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Mix the water and vinegar in a large glass bowl. Soak the produce for around 5 minutes, then rinse with cold running water.

Dry all the produce before storing it in the refrigerator.

Washing the produce before storing really helps when the kids want to snack because it is already clean and ready to eat.

Homemade Vinegar Cleaner

Did you know there is an actual vinegar for cleaning?

I didn’t know until recently.

All of these recipes are for regular white distilled vinegar, except the recipe for the floors. For my DIY Vinegar Cleaner for flooring, I use the more potent “cleaning” vinegar.

Don’t forget, that anytime you make a homemade cleaner you need to label it.

The label should include all ingredients and the date you made it. 

Do you make your own DIY Cleaners with vinegar? I would love to hear about it in the comments 🙂

Happy Cleaning!

Bonus: More Cleaning Tips 

Cleaning Hacks for a Practically Self-Cleaning Home

How to Dust Your Home the EASY WAY

Spring Cleaning List- Must Do’s

 

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