Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray

Learn how to create your very own homemade vinegar cleaning spray using just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand.

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Have you been looking for a tried and true, vinegar cleaning spray recipe? Look no further because I have the recipe for you! And guess what? Its crazy simple. And crazy cheap.

I think sometimes we overcomplicate things. We get intimidated by anything homemade and old-fashioned, because its not familiar in our modern world. At least that’s what I’ve always done!

I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to make my own DIY cleaning spray using natural ingredients. I knew that I would probably be able to make one with vinegar and water. Yet I still put it off because I was intimidated and too scare to try.

I finally made my own cleaning spray and I can’t believe how easy it was and how much I LOVE it!

Old-fashioned and homemade things might seem complicated.. but its actually the OPPOSITE! Old-fashioned cleaning used to be SIMPLE! Using natural ingredients most homemakers already have on hand. The point is, don’t be afraid to try all the handmade things you’ve been dreaming about.

Start with this easy and simple recipe for a homemade vinegar cleaning spray. I use mine every day when I’m cleaning messes in the kitchen, or anywhere around the house for that matter! I think you’ll love it.

RELATED: DIY Linen Spray Recipe

RELATED: Homemade Dusting Spray Recipe

Why a Vinegar Cleaning Spray?

If you’re looking to clean your home naturally, with homemade products, vinegar is a must. Vinegar has natural, acidic properties that allow it to cut down messes and grime. It dissolves most messes and loosens that yuckiness so it can be wiped clean. Its is a very powerful, green cleaner.

Vinegar is also safe! And cheap! I love to buy our vinegar in bulk from Costco.

I LOVE a good cleaning spray to use around our home because its easy and effective. I’ved used all different kinds of cleaning sprays in the past. With a vinegar cleaning spray I can spray a few squirts on a mess or an area I’m wanting to clean, let it soak for the amount of time to grab a warm rag, then wipe it all up.

Now, if you’ve used regular, store bought cleaning sprays (I used Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaning sprays until now), just know this will not be the same. But that’s the point! Natural, DIY cleaners are not suppose to be a complete mimic of what you can get from the store. You’re trading, natural, safe, homemade, and cheap, for those potent scents you love. But your cleaning spray can still be useful and effective! Just keep that in mind.

Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray Recipe

To make your own DIY cleaning spray you just need a few simple ingredients… like two, maybe three ingredients if you’re feeling wild lol.

Supplies:

• spray bottle (I love these dark amber, glass spray bottles)
• funnel (not necessary, but if you have one, use it!)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz water
• 8 oz cleaning vinegar (or regular, distilled white vinegar, cleaning vinegar is stronger (more acidic) and should be used accordingly)
• 35 drops essential oil

Directions:

To make your own DIY cleaning spray, combine the vinegar and water together in a spray bottle, add 15-20 drops of essential oils, then shake!

Spray the mixture on stuck on messes, countertops (not granite), any areas you need cleaned. Its best if you spray it on, let it sit for a minute, then wipe the area clean. I LOVE to use it in my kitchen after cleaning up meals.

This recipe uses a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water… if you’d like less of a vinegar smell you can make it 2:1 ratio, using more water than vinegar. It will be less effective on messes but won’t have as strong of a smell. Likewise if you’d like it to be more effective and you don’t mind the strong vinegar smell you can use a 2:1 ratio, vinegar:water.

What Essential Oils Should You Use?

Use whatever essential oils you LOVE and you know are safe to use on your surfaces! I used lemon essential oil the first time I made this and it worked great although it didn’t mask the vinegar smell as well. I don’t mind the vinegar smell and it usually goes away a few minutes after cleaning.

I currently have the On Guard blend from DoTerra in mine and it smells amazing! It doesn’t have any kind of vinegar smell.

That being said, use whatever smells good to you. Here are a few essential oils that are great for cleaning: lemon, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, wild orange, and pine.

What should you not clean with vinegar?

Vinegar can be damaging to some types of surfaces. You can always do a test spot in a discreet area before you spray a surface.

There are a few surfaces that are known to NOT handle vinegar well. Here are some areas that you’ll want to avoid cleaning with this homemade vinegar spray:

• granite, marble, or any other natural stone
• tech devices
• furniture and surfaces that have a waxed coating
• certain appliances with rubber (the vinegar can be corrosive to this! just check your manufacturers manual)
• cast iron

Just keep in mind that vinegar has acidic properties, which can be really helpful for cleaning certain messes, but can also be dangerous to certain surfaces. The longer its left on the area, the worse it can be. I spray mine, let it loosen up the gunk for a minute, then wipe up. If its left on for longer than this it can be damaging.

Always check before spraying!

What can I mix with vinegar to clean?

HELLO, big warning before I get into what you CAN mix with vinegar is what you CANNOT mix with vinegar. Vinegar absolutely cannot be mixed with bleach. If its mixed with bleach it will create a toxic gas that can be deadly. Be careful when you’re cleaning that you keep these two cleaners separate.

Now, vinegar can be mixed with other things when you’re cleaning and its totally safe! Obvioulsy you can mix vinegar with water and essential oils to create your homemade cleaning spray, but you can also mix it with other cleaners such as borax and baking soda.

We’re just making your homemade vinegar cleaning spray in this post, so I won’t go into what else you can make but I do have another post HERE on how to make a DIY Dusting Spray

Do you have to rinse after cleaning with vinegar?

It depends on the surface you’re cleaning, but its better to be safe and rinse whatever area you’re cleaning with vinegar. Don’t straight vinegar sit on it for too long. Since this spray is diluted with water its not as big of a deal.

If you’re using this Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray you can just spray the area and wipe clean with a wet rag. You don’t need to go over the area any more than that unless you’re wanting to!

What is the difference between cleaning vinegar and white vinegar?

I mentioned in the recipe that you can use cleaning vinegar OR distilled white vinegar. There’s not a huge difference in the two! Cleaning vinegar is simply more acidic, making it more effective on messes.

Distilled white vinegar is usually 95% water and 5% acid while cleaning vinegar can be up to 6% acidic. Even though its a small difference in acidic levels, it makes up a 20% difference in strength.

You may not have cleaning vinegar on hand, but most people do have distilled white vinegar, which is totally fine!

Have Fun With Your Spray!

I hope you enjoy your homemade vinegar cleaning spray. Having my own DIY cleaning spray has been such a blast!

I use it all over and I’m so happy with its effectiveness knowing that its inexpensive to make AND safe!

Let me know in the comments if you make this or tag me on Instagram! Enjoy:)

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