Sustain-a-ville

One of my personal favorite zero waste swaps is this super easy to make lemon vinegar cleaning spray. We use it for almost everything at our house.

Vinegar has natural disinfecting properties that make it great for household cleaning. We use it to wipe down pretty much any surface in our home. It might be an acquired smell but, personally, I love the way this combination of vinegar and lemon smells and keeps our home fresh and clean.

In addition to the disinfecting properties of the vinegar, lemons also contain antibacterial properties. So you’re getting a two for one with this cleaning solution. I also love the fresh scent the lemon adds. For really tough spots, like spills on the stove for example, I also like to sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on the problem area and then spray my vinegar solution on top of that. The reaction between the baking soda and the vinegar loosens up any tough stains.

It should be noted, however much I love this natural cleaning solution, vinegar can’t be classified as a disinfectant by the EPA because it hasn’t been proven to kill 99.99% of germs. So while it makes a great household cleaner, if you need something heavy duty I recommend adding something with alcohol to your spray, such as rubbing alcohol.

So why opt for an all natural, homemade cleaning solution?

Impact on our health

Conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that are hard on our bodies. These harsh chemicals can impact our health which we often see manifested in headaches, respiratory issues, and skin reactions. Even if wearing gloves and a mask, small amounts of these toxins can be inhaled or even accidentally ingested and negatively impact our health over time.

Impact on the planet

Negative impacts on the environment are another side effect of traditional cleaning supplies. When they ends up washed down the drain and into our water ways, these germ-killing chemicals can also kill all kinds of other beneficial aspects of nature. Once something ends up in the water, there is no controlling where it will end up or the long term effects it will impose.

Making my own cleaning solution also eliminates the need for dozens of plastic bottles stored under the sink. I like to use a refillable glass spray bottle, which reduces the impact on the planet while also keeping my home clean and free from toxins.

Impact on the longevity of our home

Non-toxic cleaning solutions can also extend the life of our stuff. Traditional cleaning methods may kills all the germs and bacteria living on a surface but they also wear down the surface faster than all natural ingredients.

To make this spray:

What you will need:

• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 lemon cut into 4 pieces
• glass spray bottle
• funnel (optional)
• essential oils (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil lemon wedges (or even leftover lemon rind from juiced lemons) in water on the stove for 20 minutes.
2. Let the water cool to room temperature and remove (and compost!) and lemon pieces.
3. Combine lemon water and vinegar in a spray bottle
   • a funnel makes this task easier but it’s absolutely necessary!
4. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)

And that’s it! As easy as that.