If you’re like me and don’t like the smell of white vinegar, this is an easy way to naturally give your white vinegar a subtle scent while cutting that sharp pickle-y smell. Better yet, it’s simple, natural, and inexpensive! This isn’t the first time I’ve written about this – it’s been almost 4 years so I thought it was time to share how I’ve adjusted the original instructions.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • white vinegar
  • add-ins – fresh herbs and citrus peels work best (my favorite is lemon with lavender or lemon and clove buds)
  • mason jar(s) with secure lids and/or spray bottles
  • funnel
  • fruit and vegetable peeler

The simple steps:

  1. Wash fruit or herbs and dry.
  2. Use a fruit and vegetable peeler and peel the zest from the fruit, taking care to just get that bright first layer and not the lighter colored part of the rind. The essential oils are in that bright first layer, that’s why you want just that – no juice, no rind.
  3. Add citrus peels and herbs to the bottle or jar. If you want to
  4. Using a funnel, fill the bottle or mason jar with white vinegar.
    TIP: I fill a glass spray bottle half way with vinegar and then when it’s ready to use to clean I just fill up the bottle with filtered water.
  5. Let ‘steep’ in a cool, dark place for a day or two or up to a week. This will allow the natural essential oils from the citrus peels to infuse into the vinegar.
  6. Strain off the peelings (pour through your funnel) and toss the peels or use a couple to clean your garbage disposal with by adding a handful of ice cubes and running cool water. Alternatively, you can keep the citrus and herbs in your bottle if you plan on using it up within a week or two.
  7. Place in a spray bottle or sealed bottle and use as you would use regular vinegar but this time your vinegar will have a wonderful scent!

A ratio of 50% water to 50% infused vinegar works best for general cleaning. Use it on counters, bathrooms, as a fabric softener (strained) – anywhere you’d use a vinegar-based cleaner. Vinegar-based cleaners are not safe to use on stone surfaces because of the acid content.

Have some extra citrus around? Or just want to have better smelling vinegar? This is the perfect simple formula for vinegar that smells good and a safe, inexpensive household cleaner! I love sharing my DIY cleaning recipes – go here to see all of them!