Ditching Toxic Cleaners: How I Started Making My Own Natural, Scented Cleaning Solutions

For a while now, I’ve been on a personal mission to kick harmful chemicals out of our home—for the sake of our health and the planet. I had no idea just how bad indoor air quality could be until I came across a stat from the EPA that stopped me in my tracks: indoor air can be 10 to 100 times more polluted than the air outside. Yikes. A big culprit? Household cleaners packed with harsh, toxic ingredients.

That was a serious wake-up call for me. But instead of spiraling into worry, I started looking for solutions—and discovered something surprisingly simple, affordable, and honestly, kind of fun: making my own natural cleaners at home.

You’ve probably seen vinegar pop up in DIY cleaning hacks (thanks Pinterest!), and for good reason. Our grandmothers were onto something—vinegar is a powerhouse. It’s a natural disinfectant that can help kill mold, bacteria, and grime, all without the synthetic fumes. Sure, it doesn’t smell amazing at first, but once it dries, the odor vanishes.

But then I stumbled across a trick that took things to the next level—infusing vinegar with citrus peels. Game changer. I infuse all of my oils for skincare and the idea to also infuse vinegar sent me down a rabbit hole of experimentation. I started playing with combinations of citrus, herbs, and spices, and before long, I had a handful of scent blends that actually made cleaning enjoyable.

Here’s What I’ve Learned (and How You Can Make Your Own)

Let’s get real: you’re still going to catch a whiff of vinegar when you spray these cleaners. But I’ve found that using citrus peels, herbs, and even a touch of extract or essential oils can mellow it out beautifully. Once the cleaner dries, you’re left with a subtle, fresh scent.

Why Citrus and Herbs Work So Well:

• Citrus peels aren’t just for scent—they contain natural oils that help cut through grease and grime.

• Herbs and spices (especially whole ones) bring antibacterial properties and great fragrance.

• These cleaners are inexpensive to make, especially if you’re already eating the fruit or growing the herbs.

Important Note: Don’t use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite—it can damage the finish. But they’re great for almost everything else, including wood floors.

Some ideas for vinegar infusions

How to Get Started: What You’ll Need

Basic Ingredients:

• Distilled white vinegar

• Citrus peels (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit)

• Fresh herbs (like rosemary, mint, or thyme)

• Whole spices (like cinnamon sticks or cloves—avoid ground spices!)

• Optional add-ins: vanilla or almond extract, essential oils (citrus, lavender, mint, etc.)

Supplies:

• Glass jars or containers with lids (I use half-gallon jars to soak, quart jars to store)

• Spray bottles (I like 16 oz. clear ones for everyday use and gifting)

• Strainer or mesh filter

• Jar funnel (super handy, but optional)

How to Make Your Natural Cleaner Base:

1. Prepare your citrus peels. If you’re juicing citrus, remove the juicy pulp—just use the peel and pith. You can peel by hand or use a citrus peeler.

2. Fill a jar with your peels and whatever herbs or spices you’re using.

3. Top it off with vinegar until the contents are fully submerged.

4. Seal the jar and let it steep for at least 2 weeks (up to a month is even better).

5. Strain out the solids and transfer the liquid to a clean jar. Label it with the ingredients and date.

Four of My Favorite Scent Combinations:

1. Orange Spice: Orange peels + cinnamon sticks + whole cloves + a splash of almond extract.

2. Lemon Rosemary: Lemon peels + fresh rosemary + a little vanilla extract.

3. Lime Thyme: Lime peels + fresh thyme (simple but so clean-smelling).

4. Grapefruit Mint: Grapefruit peels + fresh mint or a few drops of mint essential oil.

💡 Pro Tip: Steer clear of evergreen twigs and bay leaves—one of my early attempts with those ended up smelling awful. Like, truly gag-worthy. Not all scents play nice with vinegar!

Mixing the Final Cleaner:

Once you’ve got your scented vinegar concentrate, mix it into a spray bottle with water using a 1:2 ratio (⅓ vinegar to ⅔ water). For a 16 oz. bottle, that’s about ⅔ cup vinegar to 1⅓ cups water. Shake well.

If the vinegar smell is still too strong for your liking, add a few drops of essential oil or a teaspoon of extract to boost the fragrance.

Earth-Friendly Tools to Use With Your Cleaner:

• Microfiber cloths: Great for glass, wood, screens—you name it. Wash and reuse endlessly.

• Reusable dusters: Skip the disposable Swiffer refills. Mist these with your cleaner and you're good to go.

• Natural sponges: Easy to clean in the dishwasher. Perfect for kitchen counters and messes.

Bonus: These Make Great Gifts!

Pour your scented cleaners into cute spray bottles, add a tag or printable label, and voilà—a useful, thoughtful, and sustainable gift. (Perfect for holidays, housewarmings, or just because.)

Ready to try your own combinations? Get creative and use what you already have—citrus from snacks, herbs from the garden, even leftover spices from your pantry. Trust me, once you start, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought cleaners.

Let me know if you want my printable labels or have your own favorite combos—I’d love to hear what you create!