Make your own DIY vinegar cleaner in just a couple of minutes
It's always handy to have a multipurpose cleaning product at home. And it's easy to make one yourself using vinegar. Of course, there is a very wide choice of degreasers, detergents and other types of sprays for every surface available in shops. Some have bleach, others alcohol, still others with active oxygen, and more. But how about having just one multi-surface cleaner?
Well, for this, you can turn to alcohol vinegar: this product is a disinfectant (not for medical use, of course!), a detergent, a degreaser and helps to remove limescale. Like any vinegar-based product, alcohol vinegar is not suitable for use on delicate materials - but apart from these, you can use this product almost anywhere.
How to make a vinegar-based all-purpose cleaner: ingredients
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It only takes a few minutes to make this DIY cleaner. Here's what you need:
- A bottle of alcohol vinegar
- A measuring jug and spoons
- Water (distilled is best for this)
- One or more essential oils (do not use more than three oils in any one mix)
- A 300 or 500 ml spray bottle
For wiping, use microfiber cloths or sponges (depending on the surfaces to be cleaned).
How to make a vinegar-based all-purpose cleaner: procedure
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Once you have the ingredients (above), you just need to mix them together in the spray bottle. To make the "standard" multi-purpose cleaner, add water and vinegar in equal parts. Then, adding twenty drops of the essential oils will be sufficient. Shake well to mix.
However, if you want a slightly more delicate cleaner use the following dosages:
- 300 ml of water
- 100 ml of vinegar
- 20-25 drops of essential oils
As for the oils, the most popular for home cleaning are:
- For a floral aroma, lavender oil
- For a fruity aroma, use citrus fruit oils: lemon, sweet orange, grapefruit
- For a fresh balsamic aroma, use peppermint, eucalyptus, Scots pine, myrtle oils
- For a fresh scent and an antibacterial or antifungal action, carrot seed oil or tea tree oils are best.
You can combine the above in various mixes, but some (myrtle, tea tree, for example) have a specific smell which can be masked by the others. Do some experiments to find your favorite mix!
Where is it best to avoid using vinegar-based products?
Vinegar, even when diluted, is an acidic and aggressive liquid. Therefore, it is not recommended to use vinegar on wood (especially if lacquered), marble and granite (natural stone, especially with a glossy finish, can lose its shine), 100% synthetic or delicate fabrics (such as silk, for example).
Your DIY cleaner will be fine for use on metasl, ceramics, flooring (but not wood or marble floors), glass and even on cotton curtains. This DIY multi-purpose cleaner can also help to remove unpleasant odors from the home!
