Vinegar is one of the best non-toxic cleaning supplies on the market, but it is hard to deny that it can smell awful.
Thankfully, I was not alone in this dislike, and the users of Reddit put me onto making my own pleasantly scented vinegar mix with citrus fruit and peels. This way, the vinegar retains its natural cleaning properties whilst no longer having an overwhelmingly tangy smell during use.
Here’s how to neutralize the natural odor of this non-toxic cleaning product with a homemade scented cleaning vinegar recipe for cleaning use all over the home.
How to make scented vinegar for cleaning
As far as non-toxic ways to make a home smell nice go, vinegar is at the bottom of the list. It smells bitter, the odor lingers for hours, and the fumes can leave my nose irritated.
However, I clean with vinegar all over my home, using it almost weekly as a DIY drain cleaner to banish bad bathroom smells, using vinegar to kill mold in my shower and washing machine, and even as a non-toxic odor eliminator for cabinets.
Luckily, user AuntieRoseSews on Reddit had the answer to dealing with its natural smell in r/CleaningTips. They shared, ‘You could infuse citrus scent into the vinegar yourself by chopping whole, unpeeled fresh fruit into segments and putting it in a sealable container with the vinegar.’ Genius.
There are so many foods you can clean your home with, that combining them with vinegar to make a scented vinegar cleaner is a no-brainer for creating a non-toxic home.
Making scented vinegar for cleaning is far from instant, however. AuntieRoseSews warns, ‘You'll have to be able to let it sit for at least a week for the "flavor" to infuse. It works with just citrus peels and ginger shavings, too, if you cook with those items.
‘I keep a jug of "cleaning vinegar" marinating in the pantry, no need to refrigerate as long as all the organic matter is completely submerged in the vinegar. Strain/sieve out the not-vinegar bits and use it normally.’
I tried it
As a fan of fresh scents, I decided to try citrus fruits to make scented vinegar for cleaning, especially as cleaning with lemon juice is another cult-favorite for removing odors and dealing with grease.
I put it all in an old, clean glass coffee jar, although you could use these Ball canning jars from Target, and left it in my fridge for a week (I know AuntieRoseSews says you didn’t need to do this, but I preferred the peace of mind of refrigeration).
Then, I decanted the liquid using a metal funnel, from Walmart, into a glass spray bottle, also available from Target. The acrid scent was immediately less noticeable as I started to spray down my kitchen counters. Better yet, I got that traditional ‘clean’ citrus smell without any harsh chemicals.
I have also tried mixing vinegar with freshly squeezed lemon juice in the past, and while I found it effective at removing odors, the acrid smell was more noticeable, as the citrus had not had as long to infuse.
This fresh fruit approach is certainly a winner in the long run when I have the time to let it soak. I'll definitely keep using this cleaning tip at home.
What to shop
White vinegar distilled to an acidity of at least 5% is safe for use on most surfaces in your home. There are some things you should never clean with vinegar, however, such as natural stone and rubber seals, as it can damage or wear them down over time.
This glass spray bottle is designed for household cleaning, with measurements on the side to help with mixing DIY sprays, and an easy-to-hold trigger.
Don’t have time to make your own scented vinegar for cleaning? This pre-mixed scented vinegar is made with essential oils rather than fresh fruit, but speeds up the process tenfold.
Making your own scented vinegar cleaner is a great way to ensure that you avoid greenwashing, and there are plenty of other DIY cleaning solutions for you to try, too.
