What are some of the best scents of the holiday season? Some people side with pumpkin spice while others have an affinity for cinnamon. Both of these spices, however, can be quite pungent and overwhelming when incorporated into homemade cleaning products. Plus, you may not want your home to smell like a coffee shop or packet of cinnamon gum. 

Lucky for you, pine happens to be a wonderful holiday scent. If you have a Christmas tree in your home, you can get a little extra out of it by using some of the branches to make a natural cleaning spray. It’s the perfect scent to make your home smell like the wilderness, and the best part is that you don’t have to venture into the cold mountains to smell that crisp aroma. A simple pine-infused vinegar spray will accomplish that!

Scenting Vinegar

There are people who won’t ever clean with vinegar, not even if you pay them. The odor can be intense, but that’s where scenting vinegar comes into play. It’s very easy to make scented vinegar that is natural, effective, and less offensive to your respiratory system. All you have to do is add the pine needles and branches to a jar of vinegar. Screw on the lid and allow the infusion to take place. You can steep the mixture in a cool, dark place anywhere from six weeks to six months. 

Some pine-scented cleaners used to be healthier, but now they are typically free of any natural pine substance. Pine oil used to be in PineSol, but it was eliminated from the ingredients in 2014. The manufacturer replaced it with artificial fragrance and it has a petrochemical base. For people who want to be on the safer, more natural side, cleaning with non-toxic products like the DIY recipe in this article is more beneficial. 

Cleaning With Vinegar

Although it’s not a disinfectant, distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaner that’s made from acetic acid. It’s been known to dissolve mineral deposit, grease, dirt, and general grime. If you have a chrome shower head or faucet, you can soak it in white vinegar to get rid of water spots. Vinegar also helps to kill some bacteria, but you do have to be cautious about where you use vinegar, as it can damage certain surfaces. Make sure that you do not use vinegar to clean wood, granite, metal, or marble surfaces. 

When you clean with vinegar, you don’t need to use a lot. Since it’s such an affordable product, you’ll have one jug of vinegar for months, years even! And like we said, snap a couple branches off your Christmas tree for the pine infusion. If you don’t have a Christmas tree, there are many fallen pine branches lining the streets during the winter. Don’t be afraid to grab a handful!

Pine-Scented Vinegar Cleaner

Ingredients:

• Pine branches, or pine needles
• Distilled white vinegar
• Mason jar

Instructions:

• Place a generous handful of pine branches or needles into a clean glass Mason jar. If you have a jar that holds 750 milliliters, that would be best, but a smaller jar is perfectly acceptable. 
• Fill the jar with white vinegar. Screw the top on the jar and place the jar in a cool, dark place for six weeks to six months. The longer you allow it to infuse, the stronger the pine scent will be. 
• After completing the infusion process, strains the liquid into your spray bottle of choice and start cleaning.

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Everyone can agree that taking a soothing bath is the perfect way to step into tranquility. Soaking in the warm water helps you unwind, and the stress seems to wash away as the water goes down the drain. Everyone can also agree that a grimy bathtub with soap scum and mineral deposits is disgusting. How do you get rid of such grime without using harmful chemicals, though?

Nobody wants to clean their bathtub or shower. It’s an annoying chore that people typically neglect. Unfortunately, all of that neglect results in a gross bathtub that makes the thought of soaking in a bath horrifying. A bathtub or shower is a magnet for soap scum and even mildew. This often results in water stains or rust stains. 

What Is The Answer To Bathtub Scum?

Not everyone wants to use the bathtub cleaners because they are replete with toxic chemicals. If you have ever sprayed one of these cleaners in your bathtub, you know that that aroma is pungent and causes you to cough. In case you aren’t aware, that’s not a positive reaction. Additionally, you have to spray a lot and scrub hard in order for these solutions to be effective. 

Don’t fight the tub and don’t scrub until you inflict pain on your elbows and shoulders. Use simple ingredients to your advantage and allow them to fight through scum and stains with minimal effort on your part. The following two ingredients will help transform the look and cleanliness of your tub. 

Dish Soap

More often than not, dish soap will work to clean most showers and tubs. Some are more effective than others, as not all varieties can easily fight through built-up grime. If you only use dish soap and a little water, you can actually scrub with a broom and get the tub sparkly and clean. The purpose of dish soap is to break up oils and lift grease from flatware and utensils. It tackles the grease and soap scum that accumulates in your shower the same way. When you wash away the suds, you’ll be shocked to see how clean your tub is. 

White Vinegar

Depending on the type of tub you have, a gentle cleaner like white vinegar may be better for the surface. For example, porcelain bathtubs offer a signature, shiny, luxurious appearance. To keep them that way, you can avoid damage by using a gentle cleaner that combats aromas and grime. Vinegar’s high acidity level helps to loosen mineral deposits, including lime and rust. This same acidity makes it difficult for bacteria and other harmful organisms to exist in your tub. Ultimately, vinegar helps dissolve soap scum to make your tub as shiny and clean as possible. 

DIY Bathtub Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dish soap 
• 1 cup white vinegar
• spray bottle
• scrubber

Instructions:

• Warm the vinegar in a heat-safe glass measuring cup in a microwave until it is hot. Pour this into your spray bottle. 
• Pour the dish soap into the bottle after you pour in the vinegar. 
• Screw on the lid and shake gently to combine. 
• Spray liberally around your tub or shower and allow this mixture to sit for about 30 minutes to one hour. Because of the strong scent, make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated and that the fan is on. 
• Scrub gently and then rinse. You’ll be shocked when you see how clean your tub is!

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Are your windows or mirrors dirty? It’s time to to wipe them clean and make them glimmer in the sunlight. You don’t even need to reach for that chemical glass cleaner that has the potential to leave streaks behind. Cleaning glass is easier than ever with the DIY all-natural glass cleaner in this article. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it’s effective and you won’t leave streaks behind. 

Why Choose A Natural Glass Cleaner?

There are many advantages to cleaning glass surfaces with a natural spray. Chemical formulas in most commercial window cleaning sprays pose various health hazards. It’s possible to experience respiratory struggles, skin rashes, watery eyes, or more chronic, long-term symptoms. Inhaling the chemicals in these sprays can damage the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and mucus membranes in airways. Plus, if you have children in the home, you don’t want them to lick a window after cleaning it with a chemical spray. It happens, people…

Using a natural glass cleaner spray can help you clean windows worry-free. You won’t have to worry about harming the respiratory system when you use simple ingredients like vinegar, water, and essential oils. And the best part is that glass surfaces will look sparkly and streak-free after using a natural spray. 

Why Choose Vinegar?

Vinegar is as great on your salad as it is on your windows. Distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent. Since the smell is off-putting to some people, it’s important to mask the aroma by diluting it with water and adding a powerful essential oil. It’s very affordable and the acidic nature offers antibacterial properties that enhance cleaning efforts. It’s also non-toxic and completely safe for skin, pets, children, and all other living things. 

Use Distilled Water

You can dilute distilled white vinegar in any water, but it’s best to dilute it in distilled water. Believe it or not, cleaning with distilled water makes a big difference, especially when it comes to cleaning glass. Hard water, such as tap water, has a higher concentration of dissolved minerals, including magnesium and calcium. These minerals can leave streaky marks or excess residue on glass surfaces after you finish wiping them.

Note: Do not spray the following glass cleaners directly on glass surfaces. Spray on a cloth first to avoid drips coming in contact with a frame or silver backing. This can cause corrosion or potential discoloration. 

DIY Glass Cleaner Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well to combine. 
• Use as need to clean windows and mirrors.

How To Use:

• For streak free windows, it’s best to spray a small amount of this spray on a microfiber or lint-free cloth. 
• Wipe the surface with cloth to remove dust, smudges, or debris. 
• Spray the cloth again and give the glass surface another wipe down. Repeat this process on all other glass surfaces that you wish to clean. 

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Is there anything worse than looking at a stainless steel appliance and seeing smudgy fingerprints all over it? The answer is “yes,” but we hope you thought “no” for the sake of this article. First world problems, are we right? Anyways, the goal is to keep stainless steel shiny and streak-free. As it turns out, you don’t need a chemical spray to make that happen.

Dishwashers, refrigerators, range hoods, faucets, and trashcans are common stainless steel items in a home. There are often manuals that detail information about these appliances, but rarely do the instructions tell you how to care for them. These high-touch appliances accumulate dirt, bacteria, fingerprints, and general grime. The last thing you want to do is scrub these appliances with an abrasive sponge. If you want to keep your stainless steel appliances looking shiny and new, you only need a few natural ingredients. 

Olive Oil

When it comes to polishing stainless steel appliances, or stainless steel in general, olive oil is one of the best ingredients for the job. Stainless steel smudges easily, especially with fingerprints. A handprint is easily visible on stainless steel or glass! Olive oil acts as a protective coating on the stainless steel. Olive oil helps to restore shine and reduce the chances of tarnishing. Just make sure to give the stainless steel a nice wipe down prior to using the olive oil. 

Distilled White Vinegar

We’re not shy about our love for vinegar as a non-toxic cleaner. While it may not be a powerful disinfectant, it does have the ability to clean certain surfaces. Containing acetic acid, vinegar works to cut through grime and oils left by your hands on stainless steel. This means that instead of simply smearing old oils and grime around, vinegar actually removes all of that nastiness. It’s also inexpensive, non-abrasive, and free of harsh chemicals. That’s three wins for you and your stainless steel appliances!

A Quick Note

This non-toxic stainless steel polish is exactly that, a polish. That means that it helps stainless steel retain its shine between wipe downs. We recommend using a solution of soap and water and wiping down the stainless steel appliance with a microfiber towel. You don’t want to use an abrasive item like a sponge because it will scratch the appliance. Lastly, the essential oils in this recipe do contain some antibacterial properties, but they are mainly in this recipe to offer a lovely scent. That way, your house doesn’t smell like vinegar!

DIY Natural Stainless Steel Polish

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake well to combine.
• When you’re ready to use, shake up the bottle to mix. Spray on the already cleaned stainless steel appliance.
• Use a microfiber cloth, or any soft cloth, and wipe with the grain of the stainless steel. 

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Now more than ever, over-sanitation is too common in the household. We house an assortment of cleaning products beneath the sink, in either the kitchen or bathroom. People bleach the counters or high-touch surfaces, and they wipe the floors until they are shiny and spotless. The important thing to remember is that people do these things to keep themselves safe. As it turns out, they may do more harm than good for the body.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), upwards of 2,000 cleaning supplies on the American market contain chemicals that can lead to serious health problems. Fumes from some products lead to respiratory distress, while carcinogenic compounds in others increase cancer risk. Parents who over-sanitize the house can cause their children to grow up to develop serious respiratory problems like asthma. One study even found that inhaling chemicals from cleaning products has a similar damaging effect that cigarettes have on the lungs. Pregnant women who clean with chemical products may even increase the risk of birth defects. 

Are People Not Informed About These Risks?

Despite all of this information, cleaning products still make it onto U.S. shelves. Manufactures are not required to list all the ingredients in these cleaning products. Additionally, don’t assume that “green” cleaning products are 100% safe for you. They can still contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrances, and other irritants. That’s why it’s always best to do your research on the safest cleaning products for your health. The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of cleaning products that are safer and healthier for cleaning needs. 

Home Cleaning Products Study

The University of Bergen in Norway conducted a 20-year study on home cleaning products. The study monitored 6,230 participants between the ages of 20 and 44. Each participant had up to three lung tests during the duration of the study. The study divided the participants into three categories: people who cleaned at least once a week, people who didn’t clean, and people who cleaned as a profession. The results indicated that women who cleaned once a week experienced reduced lung function. They also experienced an increase in asthma. Women who cleaned as a profession saw a decline in lung function that mimicked the effects of smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day. Men in the study had similar effects. 

While the takeaway from that study seems like cleaning products only affect lung function, this is not the case. They contain chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system, which contains the glands that regulate hormones. Disrupting this system can lead to hormonal imbalance that can affect the body’s natural messaging system. Additionally, the chemicals can block hormone function, or mimic hormone function. Either way, they disrupt hormones and cause distress, confusion, or even nutritional deficiencies in the body. Some other problems that household cleaners cause include:

• Birth defects
• Hypothyroidism
• Infertility
• Skin disorders
• Allergies
• Respiratory issues
• Diabetes
• Inflammation
• Nerve damage
• Increased cancer risk
• Eye irritation

Can You Avoid These Problems?

Chemical cleaning products are convenient. People know them because they regularly see them in the stores and in commercials. The best thing you can do to keep yourself protected is to read the labels and reports on the products before purchasing them. Opt for products that do not contain fragrances, flammable ingredients, irritants, or VOCs. Additionally, don’t buy air fresheners. 

A safe cleaning alternative to major household cleaning products is soap and warm water. This is great for cleaning the home. Lastly, baking soda is excellent for scrubbing away grime. You can also use distilled white vinegar and water to clean glass surfaces. When you clean, be it with natural or chemical cleaning products, make sure to keep the home well ventilated. Open the windows so that fresh air can come in and the chemicals can go out.

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People love their pillows and mattresses, but they are probably the least clean items in the home. Chances are that people don’t even think about washing pillows or cleaning mattresses. Considering that people spend an average of six to eight hours on their mattresses every night, they deserve regular cleaning, right? That’s the hope, but it’s unfortunately not a reality.

Sheets and mattress protectors can keep a mattress clean to a certain degree, but dead skin cells, hair, sweat, body oils, and dust eventually make their way onto it. All of that sounds gross, doesn’t it? Sorry, but we are not the perfect creatures we think we are, and we need to put in a little effort to keep the house, and the things in them, clean. One of the ways to prevent the mattress from becoming a bacterial haven, and to keep it clean and odor-free, is to use a mattress spray.

What Are Dust Mites?

These microscopic, insect-like pests love dust, in case the name didn’t give that away. They feed on pet dander, dead skin cells, and all of the other tiny particles that comprise dust. Dust mites can actually cause severe allergic reactions, and they can even worsen respiratory symptoms like asthma. They love fabrics or upholstered items, including carpets, curtains, furniture, bedding, stuffed animals, and mattresses. The scary thing is that roughly 10,000 dust mites can exist in one square meter in your average home. 

In order to prevent them from accumulating in your home, it’s wise to keep all of your fabric or upholstered items clean and fresh. Since most people neglect their mattresses, we’re putting a bigger emphasis on that for this article. 

How To Deter Dust Mites From Mattresses:

Before you even decide to clean your mattress, remove all of the bedding and throw it in the wash. When the weather permits, open the windows and allow fresh air into your home. Dust and dust mites easily accumulate in a house with stagnant air that doesn’t circulate. While the sheets are in the wash, it’s time to clean the mattress, which means you bust out the DIY mattress spray recipe below. Spray it onto the mattress and it will help absorb the odors, deter dust mites, and keep the mattress smelling fresh. Allow your mattress at least two hours to fully absorb the spray. After this time, vacuum the top of the mattress and then put your sheets back on. 

The Ingredients

Lavender Essential Oil

A calming essential oil that exhibits powerful antibacterial properties. You may also find that the scent helps promote relaxation, contributing to sounder, more peaceful slumber. 

Distilled White Vinegar

This mild disinfectant helps to deodorize fabrics and works to clean surfaces. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

The minty aroma is not only refreshing, but it also works to repel insects. This is excellent news if you have dust mites!

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

This essential oil is beneficial for the respiratory system, working to improve airways for optimal breathing. It also has air-purifying properties, and it may help to cleanse surfaces. 

DIY Mattress Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water (boiled and then cooled)
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops peppermint essential oil
• 500ml spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour the water and vinegar into the spray bottle and then add the essential oils.
• Screw the top on the bottle and shake it vigorously to combine. 
• Spray this mixture directly on the mattress and let it remain there for a couple hours. Remember to shake the bottle before each use. 

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Do you ever get tired of going to the store to purchase cleaning products? They seem to run out so quickly, now more than ever as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It can be frustrating to spend so much on them and know so little about the ingredients in them. You may even have allergies to commercial cleaning products, or they may be harming your respiratory system. We’re putting an end to all of this by giving you a bathroom disinfectant spray that you can count on. 

For starters, the bathroom disinfectant spray in this article has three simple ingredients. You know what they are and understand how they work. There is no need to search the Internet for definitions on ingredients that you can’t even pronounce. Throughout the pandemic, medical experts continued to weigh in on the efficacy of the ingredients in this spray against germs, viruses, and bacteria. Since the virus doesn’t show signs of slowing, it’s our duty to present you with a natural disinfectant product. Before we do that, let’s explore why the ingredients in this recipe make it so effective. 

70% Isopropyl Alcohol

When it comes to disinfecting with alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, it needs to contain at least 70% alcohol. This concentration is effective at killing organisms by denaturing their proteins. According to Dr. Lucky Sekhon, a fertility specialist and board certified OBGYN in New York City, 70% isopropyl alcohol works to, “…dissolve their lipids and is effective against most bacteria and fungi and many viruses.” You don’t want to go higher than 70% alcohol, though. The reason for this is because a higher alcohol solution, 99% for example, is too powerful. It only breaks down the outside of the germ cell and doesn’t penetrate the germ. The 70% solution is the perfect combination of water and alcohol. It crosses the cell barrier to attack and kill the bacteria or virus in question.

Distilled White Vinegar

Vinegar is extremely popular in the natural home cleaning world, especially for sinks, countertops, and shower heads. It is a very effective alternative to harsh cleaners, but it does have a signature potent smell. Additionally, it is eco-friendly, but is it an effective disinfectant? Cleaners work to remove dirt or debris from a surface, while a disinfectant works to destroy germs, bacteria, or viruses on contact. Distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaner, containing 5% acetic acid that helps remove and dissolve grime and dirt. Vinegar has some issues as a disinfectant. Studies found that it demonstrated a limited ability to reduce Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli. Vinegar was not effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 

DIY Natural Bathroom Disinfectant

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1.25 cups isopropyl alcohol (with 70% alcohol content)
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle and swirl to combine. 
• Before you spray this on a surface, it’s best to pre-clean the surface with hot, soapy water and then dry it. 
• Once this step is complete, spray the surface in question, wait five minutes, and then wipe dry. 

Notes:

• Do not use any vinegar solution on marble, granite, or other natural stone surfaces. If you need to clean those surfaces, omit the vinegar from this recipe and add 1/4 cup more of isopropyl alcohol. 

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What’s the most common household activity during COVID-19? If you guessed “cleaning,” then you are 100% accurate. The COVID-19 pandemic caused everyone, from apartment dwellers to homeowners to business employees, to enhance their sanitation methods. Unfortunately for your respiratory health, many of the cleaning products that are effective against coronavirus contain harmful chemicals.

It’s beneficial to deep clean your high-touch surfaces to reduce the chances of bacterial build-up. You don’t always have to use chemical cleaners, though, especially if you want to limit your exposure to harsh chemicals. This is why many people enjoy cleaning with distilled white vinegar. Not only is it versatile, but it is also inexpensive and remarkable at cleaning a variety of surfaces.

An Important Note About White Vinegar

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), white vinegar does not kill a virus like COVID-19. White vinegar can kill or inhibit the growth of foodborne, pathogenic bacteria. When combined with heat or salt, vinegar’s bactericidal activity increases. When combined with citrus peels or juices, vinegar can reduce the amount of pathogens to the point where they are undetectable.

Vinegar As A Cleaning Agent

Vinegar is an inexpensive item to have in your cleaning arsenal. It helps to keep your washer clean, it can get rid of stains, and it is even effective at cleaning windows. One thing to keep in mind about vinegar is that it is acidic, meaning it can damage certain materials in the home. Not everybody wants to clean his or her home with vinegar because the smell can be off-putting. The cleaning spray in this article, however, uses citrus peels to offset that pungent, vinegary scent.

Why Use Citrus Peels?

People discard citrus peels without thinking twice. Some people take advantage of the zest to enhance the flavors of their culinary creations, but most people just toss them in the trash. Citrus peels are compostable and you can use them in DIY cleaning recipes. The cleaning spray in this article uses orange peels, offering a wonderfully fragrant and citrusy aroma. Using citrus peels in this way helps to reduce food waste, and don’t forget to compost them when you discard them. Simply dig a hole in the ground, dump the citrus peels in the hole, give them a quick chop with the shovel, and cover them with dirt. This will help create nutrient-rich soil.

DIY Citrus Cleaning Spray

Ingredients:

• The peels of four oranges, torn into pieces (or however many fit in the jar you choose)
• 1 wide-mouthed glass jar (a 16-32-ounce jar is best)
• 16-20 ounces distilled white vinegar
• 20-30 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
• cheesecloth or sieve (to strain orange peels from vinegar)
• spray bottle

Instructions:

• First off, eat the oranges. Don’t just peel them and let the fruit go to waste!
• When you are ready to make the cleaning spray, add the torn peels to the jar you use. Don’t worry if you can’t fit the peels from all four oranges inside the jar.
• Pour enough vinegar into the jar so that the orange peels are completely covered. Cover the jar and leave it in a cool, dry place for three weeks. This fermentation helps to intensify the cleaning spray.
• Once the fermentation process is complete, strain the vinegar into a bowl through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve.
• Make a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can add 20-30 drops of lemon essential oil if you want to do that.
• Now it’s time to clean!

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The arrival of the coronavirus has led to extreme panic buying. If you visited a store lately, you probably noticed the empty shelf spaces where toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizers, hand soap, and various cleaning products used to be. There’s no reason to fret, though, because there are plenty of DIY alternatives that are just as effective and less harmful to your health that commercial products.

Perhaps you are loyal to brands like Clorox, Lysol, or other leading names in the world of cleaning products. Catherine Roberts, associate health editor at Consumer Reports, said that commercial disinfecting products contain harmful chemicals that are EPA registered pesticides. These chemicals can actually trigger asthma attacks in young children, so it is best to avoid them and opt for other DIY alternatives. As it turns out, the coronavirus is not very hardy, meaning that it can easily be destroyed by a variety of disinfectants, according to Dr. John Swartzberg, an expert on infectious diseases and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.

Don’t Use Vodka Or Distilled White Vinegar

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that people should use alcohol that is 70% alcohol to properly disinfect surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol, is an effective disinfectant, so long as you purchase the type with 70% alcohol. Sorry to burst your bubble, but vodka should not be used to clean surfaces. The alcohol concentration is only 40%, meaning that it is not high enough to kill viruses. That being said, 140 proof or higher grain-free alcohols, including Everclear (190 proof) or Spirytus vodka (192 proof), are available in certain states. If you use alcohol, it must be 140 proof or higher! As for the people who use distilled white vinegar as a cleaning product, reports say that there is no evidence that it is effective against coronavirus.  

Rubbing alcohol products that are at least 70% alcohol will kill the coronavirus. It is important that you do not dilute the alcohol when cleaning. Keep in mind that it is safe for all surfaces, but it can discolor certain plastics. The following DIY disinfectant uses 70% isopropyl alcohol.

DIY Disinfectant Spray

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces 70% isopropyl alcohol
• ½ teaspoon hydrogen peroxide
• 30 drops tea tree oil
• 15 drops lemon essential oil
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

• Fill a 16-ounce spray bottle with 14 ounces of 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the bottle, screw the top on, and shake well to combine.

How To Use:

• Pre-clean a surface.
• Shake up the disinfectant spray bottle each time before you use it.
• Spray directly on doorknobs, countertops, faucets, or desks and wipe with a cloth.
• If you are using on electrical items like remote controls or light switches, spray on a cloth first and then wipe the surface.
• Allow surfaces to air dry.

In case you don’t trust the cleaning solution in this article, the Environmental Protection Agency’s website has a list of items that can fight the novel coronavirus. The CDC’s website also has recommendations for products that can clean contaminated surfaces effectively.

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You most likely have at least one type of vinegar in your pantry or kitchen cabinets at this very moment. Vinegars, including apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, sherry vinegar, or distilled white vinegar, are staple ingredients in sauces, marinades, brines, or dressings. Aside from adding those delicious flavors, some vinegars are also helpful cleaning agents.

What Is The Best Vinegar To Clean With?

Different vinegars exist due to double fermentation. Wine vinegar comes from red or white wine grapes, while balsamic vinegar comes from a unique blend of grapes from southern Italy. Rice vinegar comes from rice, apple cider vinegar comes from apple cider, and so the cookie crumbles. White vinegar, however, is typically made with water and acetic acid, which is produced in a laboratory. Since white vinegar is the most acidic, it is a useful and powerful cleaning agent. It can be too strong for some surfaces, but you can always dilute it with a little water. Vinegar is great for cleaning windows, wood paneling, mirrors, and cabinets.

Distilled white vinegar is one of the most popular ingredients in DIY non-toxic cleaning products. It’s a great weapon to have in your cleaning arsenal, but it doesn’t necessarily leave the best scent behind. To avoid stinging the nostrils with that briny smell, it is best to scent the vinegar with other fruit peels or herbs, which actually add disinfectant and antibacterial properties. Check out the following DIY non-toxic cleaners to help you keep your home free of bacteria and chemicals.

Warning! Do not use these vinegar solutions to clean granite. It can cause permanent damage.

Pine Vinegar Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 cup filtered water
• 5-10 drops pine essential oil
• Spray bottle

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well to combine.
• Store in a cool dry place. It is great to use in the bathroom to leave behind a refreshing scent.

Orange Clove Vinegar Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 (16oz) Mason jar
• 1 handful fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup filtered water

Instructions:

• Shove all of the ingredients in the Mason jar, screw on the top, and store it in a cool, dry place for about 10-14 days.
• Strain the vinegar through fine mesh strainer to remove the ingredients. Pour the now scented vinegar into a spray bottle and get ready to clean.

Lemon Lavender Vinegar Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• 1/8 cup dried lavender flowers
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup filtered water
• 1 (16oz) Mason jar

Instructions:

• Shove all of the ingredients in the Mason jar, screw on the top, and store it in a cool, dry place for about 10-14 days.
• Strain the vinegar through fine mesh strainer to remove the ingredients. Pour the now scented vinegar into a spray bottle and get ready to clean.

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