How to Make Aromatic Vinegar Spray for All-Purpose Cleaning

By
Karen Peltier
Karen Peltier

Karen Peltier is an expert on green living and natural cleaning methods who has contributed over 200 articles to The Spruce. On her blog, WellGal.com, Peltier covers natural cleaning methods for the home and tips on living an eco-conscious lifestyle.

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Updated on 07/15/22
Reviewed by
Rhea Mehta
Dr. Rhea Mehta, PhD
Reviewed by Rhea Mehta
Rhea Mehta, PhD, is an award-winning toxicologist who has worked to empower people to lead healthier lives, starting in their homes, for over a decade. Rhea holds a PhD in Toxicology, with over 15 scientific publications, and a certificate in integrative health coaching. 
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Fact checked by
Emily Estep
Emily Estep
Fact checked by Emily Estep

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

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How to Make Aromatic Vinegar Cleaning Spray Yourself

The Spruce / Bailey Mariner

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 8 ounces
  • Skill Level: Beginner

A white vinegar cleaning solution is very easy to whip up in a batch when you need it.

What Is White Vinegar?

White vinegar is a sour-tasting liquid made from grain alcohol that is fermented to produce acetic acid. The difference between distilled white vinegar and white vinegar is the amount of acetic acid each contains. Distilled vinegar has less acetic acid in it than white vinegar.

White vinegar is a powerful DIY green cleaning product because of its grime-dissolving and disinfectant properties. A cleaning solution with vinegar rivals any commercial cleaner for effectiveness and can be used throughout your home. Most commercial cleaning solutions contain synthetic chemicals that have unpleasant odors and may come with health risks, especially to individuals with skin sensitivities or allergies. Learn below why vinegar works, how to create a fragrant homemade cleaning vinegar spray, and how to use it around your home.

Why Cleaning With Vinegar Works

The low pH and acetic acid content of vinegar hinder the growth of microorganisms. Vinegar cleaner is, thus, a mild antiseptic, though it should not be regarded as a broad-spectrum disinfectant like bleach. Also, the essential oils add additional antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal qualities to your all-purpose cleaner. Finally, the high acidity level of vinegar serves to loosen mineral deposits, such as lime and calcium, and will help dissolve soap scum.

The Chemistry of Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural by-product of plant fermentation; the distilled white vinegar you buy is a mild solution that contains five percent to five percent acetic acid. For this reason, it is very effective at breaking down molds, grease (to a degree), and bacteria—substances that make up many household stains. The acidity of vinegar also serves as a mild antiseptic that hinders the growth of some bacteria. Its acidic nature also makes vinegar effective at dissolving mineral-based deposits, which by nature are alkaline in composition. 

How to Mix an Aromatic Vinegar Solution

This recipe makes eight ounces of the mixed solution, so multiply the ingredient amounts as needed to fit the size of your spray bottle. Also, this recipe creates a solution that is a 1:1 ratio of vinegar to water. This is a good balance for most cleaning projects, but for very tough jobs, such as cleaning excessive mold and mildew, you can increase the potency of the solution by changing the vinegar to water ratio to 2:1 (2/3 cup vinegar to 1/3 cup water, for example).

Warning

Do not mix vinegar with bleach. Combining these two ingredients can be highly dangerous, because it will create toxic chlorine gas.


Using Essential Oils

Essential oils you might want to mix into your vinegar cleaning solution include basil, bergamot, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lime, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. In addition, try these essential oil combinations that feature lavender and citrus scents:

  • Lavender with tea tree (encourages relaxation)
  • Lavender and orange (lifts your spirits)
  • Lavender and peppermint (invigorates you)
  • Lemon (brightens your mood)
ingredients to make a diy vinegar spray
The Spruce / Margot Cavin

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Spray bottle
  • Measuring cup
  • Funnel
  • Lint-free cloths
  • Labels
  • Pen

Materials

  • 1/2 cup white vinegar (distilled)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 12 to 24 drops essential oil

Instructions

  1. Choose Your Oils

    Choose one or a combination of essential oils.

    assortment of essential oils from overhead

    The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Add Vinegar, Water, and Essential Oils

    Using a measuring cup and funnel, add the vinegar and water in the desired ratio, then the essential oils. Shake to combine.

    Adding vinegar and water to a spray bottle

    The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

  3. Spray and Wipe

    To use, spray any areas that need to be cleaned, wipe with a lint-free cloth, rinse well, and wipe dry with another lint-free cloth.

    Using homemade cleaning spray on windows

    The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

  4. Label the Bottle

    Label the bottle clearly so you do not accidently use it for or with any other type of cleaning solution.

    label on a couple of bottles of cleaner

    The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

  5. Store the Bottle

    Store the bottle out of direct sunlight or heat, which can change the chemical constituents in the essential oils.

    Storing the bottle in a cool, dark place

    The Spruce / Anastasia Tretiak

Tips for Using Vinegar Cleaner

  • For tough cleaning jobs, let the spray sit on the surface for several minutes.
  • For mineral build-up around fixtures or excessive mildew in the shower, give this spray a few minutes to work before cleaning with an old, soft-bristled toothbrush or scrub brush. Then rinse well.
  • To disinfect surfaces such as countertops, let the spray sit for at least 60 seconds before rinsing.
  • For scrubbing action, try first sprinkling some baking soda in the sink, bathtub, shower, toilet, oven, or on the cooktop. Then, use the vinegar spray to dampen the baking soda, which will create a paste. Scrub away with an eco-friendly sponge or scrubbing tool, and watch as the built-up soap scum, dirt, odors, and mold disappear.
  • To clean mirrors, simply spray on the vinegar cleaner and buff it dry with a natural, soft, lint-free cloth, such as an old T-shirt or a cloth baby diaper.
  • To eliminate odors, use this spray as an air freshener. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer.

Additional Cautions and Warnings

  • Stone: Do not use vinegar cleaners on marble, granite, and other natural stone countertops, floors, or furniture, because the acids can dull and etch the surfaces. 
  • Egg: Don't use vinegar to clean up raw egg spills, because the liquid egg will coagulate and make it harder to clean up. 
  • Hardwood: Be extremely cautious when using vinegar cleaner on hardwood floors (and furniture). Test it first in an inconspicuous area, because some finishes may be damaged by vinegar.
  • Irons: Although clothes irons do collect mineral deposits, most manufacturers warn against pouring vinegar or vinegar-based cleaners through them to remove mineral build-up. Read the instructions to determine how best to remove mineral deposits from your clothes iron. 
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The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Mix Your Own Cleaning Solutions. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

  2. Dangers of Mixing Bleach With Cleaners. Washington State Department of Health.