DIY Holiday Inspired Cleaning Vinegar—Spring Through Winter
If the idea of scrubbing with straight vinegar makes you wrinkle your nose, meet the holiday-inspired cleaning vinegar that scrubs away mess and leaves behind only the smell of seasonal scents.
Think spiced orange for fall and Thanksgiving or lavender for Spring and Mother’s Day.
Today, you’ll learn how to steep, strain, and spritz your way through every season (and holiday) with style.
Tools and Materials:
- 32-oz glass jar with tight lid
- White distilled vinegar (plain, no scents)
- Seasonal botanicals & peels (see below)
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Spray bottles (16–24 oz)
- Labels & permanent marker
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1. Choose Your Seasonal Ingredients
- Spring (Lavender & Lemon): 1 cup vinegar + zest of 2 lemons + handful of dried lavender buds—perfect for April’s Easter brunch cleanup.
- Summer (Mint & Citrus): 1 cup vinegar + zest of 1 orange + 10 fresh mint leaves—ideal after July 4th BBQs.
- Autumn (Cinnamon & Clove): 1 cup vinegar + 2 cinnamon sticks + 1 tbsp whole cloves—locks in that Halloween pumpkin-spice vibe.
- Winter (Evergreen & Orange): 1 cup vinegar + peels of 2 mandarins + 3 juniper sprigs or rosemary tips—for cozy Christmas mornings.
2. Prep Your Ingredients
- Begin by adding a cup of vinegar to a bowl.
- Now, add the other seasonal ingredients
- If you are using the zest of citrus, a vegetable peeler works great.
- If you are using spices and herbs, remember to lightly crush them to release oils.
- Tip: Skip fresh fruit slices, these could attract mold.
3. Infusion Method: Cold, Hot, or Solar
- Cold Steep: Seal jar, let sit in a dark cupboard for 7–10 days.
- Hot Steep (Boosts extraction): Gently warm vinegar + ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute, then transfer to jar. Repeat daily for 3 days.
- Solar Steep: Place sealed jar on a sunny windowsill for 3–5 days, shaking once daily.
- Why? Heat and sunlight speed up essential-oil release—so you’ll smell those spring florals or winter pine faster.
4. Dilute & Bottle
- Pour the infusion through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl.
- Pro Tip: Reuse strained peels in a potpourri or simmer pot—they still have fragrance left!
- Mix 1 part infused vinegar with 1 part water in your spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of unscented Castile soap or dish soap for extra grease-cutting power.
- Shake gently to combine.
5. Spritz & Shine
- Test on a small area first. Then spray countertops, sinks, glass, or tile.
- Wipe with a microfiber cloth to leave surfaces gleaming and scented.
Cheeky Tip:
Keep a bottle in your holiday décor box—ready for instant festive freshness.
Keep Holidays Fresh with Holiday Inspired Cleaning Vinegar
You just unlocked a year’s worth of cleaners that scrub like a dream and scent like your favorite holiday.
Give one a whirl at your next celebration—trust me, friends will ask for your secret recipe!
Frequently asked questions
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