Home » Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray – Natural and Non Toxic Cleaning
a vinegar water cleaning spray sits on the kitchen counter next to cleaning supplies

Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray – Natural and Non Toxic Cleaning

Out of all three of my cleaning spray recipes, this homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray is possibly the easiest of them all. It’s effective, budget-friendly, and completely non-toxic! And if you can’t stand the smell of vinegar, I’ve got an option for you as well. Keep reading to see how to make it!

Why You Should Make This Spray

I like to think of this homemade vinegar cleaning spray as my “catch-all” cleaner. It’s the one I reach for when I’m wanting to wipe down something quickly.

Messy counter after cooking dinner? Vinegar Cleaning Spray. Had a spill in the fridge? Vinegar Cleaning Spray. Need to get that dreaded toothpaste off the bathroom mirror? Vinegar Cleaning Spray. Need to wash all that dirty laundry? Okay sorry, you’re on your own with that one.

But seriously, this spray is so versatile! For wood surfaces though, you’ll want to use my Castile Cleaner Spray. Vinegar can break down the finish on wood over time.

distilled vinegar, water, a spray bottle, a funnel, and a measuring cup sit on the counter
distilled white vinegar ~ distilled water ~ spray bottle ~ measuring cup ~ funnel

Supplies You’ll Need

The supplies needed for this recipe are the fewest of all of my cleaning sprays. Not only this, but both of the spray ingredients are found in my Multi Purpose Cleaning Spray recipe! This means that if you’ve been following along, you already have everything you need to make this. So grab these supplies and let’s make it together!

a measuring cup, a spray bottle, and a funnel sit on a kitchen counter

Reusable Supplies

  • A spray bottle: I use an old one from Grove, but if I were to order one today I’d get this pretty spray bottle. Whatever you get, just make sure it is a 2 cup (16 fl oz.) capacity. I prefer glass, since there are essential oils in the recipe. The silicone base on the glass bottle makes it durable!
  • A funnel: I love this funnel set. There are multiple sizes in the set, so you can use them in your kitchen as well! The medium size is pictured above.
  • A measuring cup: I love this tried and true glass measuring cup.
distilled white vinegar and a jar of distilled water sit on the kitchen counter, both ingredients of the homemade vinegar water cleaning spray

Spray Ingredients

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Distilled water
  • Optional: For those who can’t stand the smell of vinegar, I’ve provided instructions for a citrus vinegar below. To make this, you’ll need a few peels from your favorite citrus fruit (such as orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit) and a separate large jar.

Why these ingredients?

Distilled White Vinegar

Vinegar has been used for thousands of years as a cleaning agent. It is acidic, which makes it a perfect option for household cleaners. It dissolves minerals, grease and grime, soap scum, limescale, mineral buildup, and dirt. It’s also great for removing stains in fabric and deodorizing the home. It’s even strong enough to kill some bacteria. Woo, an organic germ buster!

It does everything mentioned above without leaving behind any residue! It’s no wonder vinegar is praised for its non-toxic cleaning abilities.

Distilled Water

Distilled water dilutes the vinegar to the perfect ratio for cleaning. The reason to use distilled water is that regular tap water has additives that can harbor bacteria when the cleaner is stored. Since there are no preservatives in this cleaner, we have to start with sterile ingredients so that it stays shelf stable. The last thing you need is for your cleaner to get dirty, ha!

a woman is in the kitchen is holding a spray bottle of vinegar water cleaning spray

How To Make the Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Using the funnel, slowly pour both ingredients into the spray bottle.
  2. Attach the lid, and give the bottle a swirl for a minute to incorporate everything together.
  3. It’s ready to use!
a jar of vinegar filled with citrus peels sits on the counter

Optional: How to Make Citrus Vinegar (To Improve the Scent of the Spray)

Making citrus vinegar improves the fragrance of your homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray. This alternative citrus vinegar option takes 1-2 weeks before it is ready to use.

Supplies and Ingredients

  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Your favorite citrus peels (such as orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit)
  • A large mason jar with a lid

Instructions

  1. Combine the citrus peels and the vinegar together in the mason jar, and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. This allows the citrus to infuse into the vinegar, leaving behind a more pleasant scent.
  2. Once the scent is to your liking, remove the peels. You now have citrus vinegar that you can use in place of regular vinegar.
  3. Use this infused vinegar instead of the regular vinegar in the above original recipe. The shelf life of the citrus vinegar is about 3 months.
a jar of citrus vinegar sits on the counter
This is the color of the citrus vinegar after one week of soaking in lemon and grapefruit peels.

What can this homemade vinegar cleaning spray be used for?

This simple homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray is used for so many purposes in my home!

Here are some of the ways that this cleaner can be used:

  • The best streak-free cleaner for glass (mirrors, windows, picture frames, flower vases, etc.)
  • Make DIY Garbage Disposal Cleaner Pods
  • Wiping down kitchen counters
  • Quick wipe down of sinks
  • Kitchen appliances (inside and out of the oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker, etc.)
  • Fast garbage disposal cleaner and deodorizer
  • Fabric cleaner and freshener
  • Carpet spill cleaner
  • Glass top stove cleaner
  • Wiping down the interior of the car or vehicle
  • Quick mop of spills on floors (except wood floors)
  • Polish doorknobs, faucets, and showerheads
  • Wiping anything plastic (including baby toys)
  • Cleaning walls
  • Deodorizing the entire home (by simmering a cup of the cleaner in a pot on the stove, or spraying the carpet and soft surfaces in every room)
  • Restoring stainless steel cookware
  • and so much more!

Can I add essential oils?

Sure, you can! If you’re going to add essential oils, you will want to do your own research on those oils to make sure they will not affect the surfaces that you plan to use the spray on. You’ll also want to verify that the oils you choose are safe for children and pets if you plan on using it around them.

If you’re looking for a cleaner that’s a bit more robust and contains essential oils, you may want to check out my Multi Purpose Cleaning Spray recipe!

Is this homemade vinegar cleaning spray safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe for use around kids, and for cleaning their toys! If you want your children to clean with you, just spray some on a cleaning cloth and hand it to them to help.

As always though, check the product bottles for the ingredients list, and verify that there are no allergens present.

Homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray

This homemade Vinegar Cleaning Spray is extremely versatile, easy to make, and is budget-friendly! It is a perfect streak-free glass cleaner and is also great for quick wipe downs and spills.

Ingredients

Directions

  • Using the funnel, slowly pour both ingredients into the spray bottle.
  • Attach the lid, and give the bottle a swirl for a minute to incorporate everything together.
  • It’s ready to use!


  • Optional: For Citrus Vinegar
  • Combine the citrus peels and the vinegar together in a separate jar, and let sit at room temperature for 1-2 weeks.
  • Once the scent is strong enough to your liking, remove the peels. You now have citrus vinegar that you can use in place of regular vinegar.
  • Use this infused vinegar instead of the regular vinegar in the above original recipe. The shelf life of the citrus vinegar is about 3 months.

Notes

  • Because of the vinegar in this recipe, you would not want to use this on wood (furniture or floors). Try my Castile Cleaner Spray for wood surfaces.

This post was all about how to make a homemade non-toxic Vinegar Cleaning Spray, and all of the ways that you can use it in your home!

As always, be sure to pin the recipe for later!

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