Homemade Winter Infused Cleaning Vinegar that Smells Good
If you’re looking to clean your home with some all-natural cleaner, this homemade winter infused cleaning vinegar is super effective and smells good, too!
Many moons ago, we transitioned our home to a more “natural” home and that included switching up our cleaning supplies.
One of the easiest ways to make simple changes is with those things you use on a daily basis, such as cleaners, bathing supplies, toothpastes, hand soaps, detergents, and more.
Those small changes really add up in the long run and most of them are pretty simple swaps for better products.
There are several other ways we have worked towards having a healthier home.
We use essential oils and diffusers instead of scented candles. Or, we make our own handmade beeswax candles to light and use in our home.
I shared a few clean swaps for laundry detergent in my simple homemaker’s laundry routine blog post.
Each small swap can make a big impact and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
This simple winter infused vinegar is another easy swap you can make to transition to a cleaner home, if that is something that you want.
Why you’ll love this infused vinegar cleaner
- It smells like Christmas
- This is a very cost effective way to clean your home
- You will keep toxins out of your home by using vinegar as a simple cleaner
- There is less waste when you make your own cleaners and use glass jars and spray bottles you already have
- It takes only 3 ingredients (more if you’d like) and a few days for it to steep
- It looks beautiful while it steeps
- You can use it on almost every surface in your home
What you’ll need for this Winter Infused Cleaning Vinegar
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Orange, sliced
- Greens- I used rosemary, but you could grab any evergreen, such as pine, spruce, or fir
- Glass Mason Jar with a lid
Steps for making Infused Cleaning Vinegar
- Add Orange slices, rosemary, and cranberries to your mason jar. I added cranberries so it would look festive on my counter as it steeped. This is not necessary.
- Pour vinegar over the orange slices and rosemary, making sure it is all under the vinegar.
- Put on the lid for the mason jar and allow the vinegar to steep for 3-4 days.
- Strain the vinegar with a mesh strainer into a glass spray bottle and use to disinfect your home.
How can I make cleaning vinegar smell good?
Besides, adding in the fresh orange and greens, such as pine or rosemary, you may add essential oils to increase the fragrance of your cleanser.
Anything wintery is great for this cleanser:
- Pine oil
- Fir oil
- Orange and Cinnamon oils
- Clove oil
Can I use this Infused Vinegar on all surfaces?
You may use it on all surfaces, but be aware that it is an acidic cleaner.
Since marble and granite are mineral surfaces, you might want to do a test swatch before cleaning your entire counter with any acidic cleanser.
Does it have to take 3 days for Infused Vinegar to steep?
If you don’t want to wait 3-4 days for your winter infused vinegar to steep, heat your vinegar in a saucepan to a boil.
Pour boiling vinegar over the orange slices and greens and wait 24 hours to use your vinegar.
How do I use a Vinegar Cleaning recipe?
To use your vinegar cleaning recipe, strain your infused cleaning vinegar into a glass spray bottle.
Spray on the surfaces you want to disinfect and wipe clean.
You may use your homemade cleaner in bathrooms, on floors, to clean windows, and more!
If I have a toilet that tends to carry a smell with it, I like to pour a few tablespoons into the bowl and let it sit and disinfect for an hour before being flushed.
Use this cleaning vinegar to clean mirrors, too. The mirror will have a “fog” over it for a minute, but that will clear up.
Can you use vinegar to clean without infusing it?
Yes, if you would like to use vinegar to clean without infusing it, you may!
To scent your vinegar and make it smell good, simply add your desired essential oils to the spray bottle filled with vinegar and give it a gentle shake before using.
Do I need to dilute homemade vinegar cleaner?
You do not need to dilute homemade vinegar cleaner.
Some people suggest adding distilled water, in a half to half ratio, to the vinegar.
I don’t find that I prefer diluting the vinegar, but you might prefer that, and it’s okay.
I like to make sure things are extra clean, so I use the straight infused cleaning vinegar.
Tips for Household Cleaning with Infused Vinegar Cleaner
- Use an old t-shirt for cleaning windows and mirrors. Those old, white t-shirts that men wear are perfect for this.
- Allow cleaner to sit for 30-60 seconds before wiping off to help cut through the grime.
- Always test your cleaners before spraying on the entire surface.
- To clean toilets, flush the toilet and allow the water to quit running, sprinkle baking soda in the toilet bowl, spray with your infused vinegar cleaner, and allow it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing clean.
Could cleaning vinegar be a gift?
Yes! You can give this cleaning vinegar as a gift.
Tie a festive gift tag around the mason jar with some Christmasy twine or ribbon to make it even more fun.
I would make it the day before gifting and include a glass spray bottle as part of the gift.
Other handmade gift ideas
- How to Make a Christmas Simmer Pot
- Simple Brown Sugar Body Scrub with Avocado Oil
- How to make Chocolate Covered Pecans
How can I add extra cleaning power to this cleaner?
A great way to add even more of a boost to this cleaner is by including a teaspoon of Castile soap.
This cleaner is a great disinfectant on its own, but a teaspoon of castile soap adds even more effectiveness.
