Some days, my house smells like a straight-up funky gym.
Pets zooming around, kids dropping crumbs like they’re leaving a trail to Narnia, and that faint whiff of… what is that?
Old juice box? Dog?
Sock that got wet somehow?
Honestly, no clue—but it’s giving ew.
I’m all for cozy family feels but I don’t need my house smelling like one big “oops, we forgot to clean that.”
I wanted my house to smell like vanilla and fresh eucalyptus—like I just walked into a fancy spa where someone’s about to offer me cucumber water.
But I needed it to be easy because, let’s be real, I don’t have time for some ten-step cleaning ritual – getting everything ready for simmering pots to make my house smell good.
So, I got into DIY cleaning solutions, and let me tell you, I’ll never go back to store-brand clears.
Now, my house smells like I burn $40 candles daily, but it’s all from stuff I whipped up in my kitchen.
No sketchy chemicals, no stress, just that clean, vanilla-scented, spa-like dream.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions with Vinegar
Your house smells kinda off, and you need a quick fix, but those strong chemical cleaners?
No thanks.
Vinegar is about to be your new bestie.
It’s cheap, natural, and when you mix it right, your house can smell fresh without that harsh “just cleaned” smell.
These homemade cleaning solutions with vinegar are easy to whip up and actually work because no one has time for scrubbing forever.
Here are some of my favorite homemade cleaning solutions that actually clean my home.
1. Citrus Infused Vinegar Spray
How to Make It:
- Fill a jar with slices of lemon, orange, or lime with peels.
- Pour white vinegar over the peels until covered.
- Let it sit for 48 hours.
- Strain into a spray bottle and dilute with equal parts water.
What to Clean:
This spray is the real MVP for your kitchen.
Counters, sinks, stovetops, you name it.
You know those crusty spaghetti sauce splatters that somehow multiply overnight? Gone.
That sticky juice spill your kid “forgot” to tell you about? Handled.
Plus, citrus is like a natural bug repellent, so it keeps those ants from throwing a party under your toaster.
And the smell?
So fresh, so clean, like you just peeled an orange, not scrubbed your kitchen for an hour.
2. Lavender Vinegar Cleaner
How to Make It:
- Add 1 cup white vinegar to a spray bottle.
- Mix in 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil.
- Add 1 cup water and shake well.
What to Clean:
This is for when your bathroom is an unsightly mess with toothpaste globs in the sink, water splashes everywhere, and any other surface that needs a good scrub.
Wipe it all down with this and suddenly your bathroom smells like a fancy spa instead of a daycare.
Remember though, for toilets stick to bleach to remove urine and other unsightly things and smell.s
Works on mirrors too, streak-free, no smudgy mess.
Plus, every time you walk in, it’s giving relaxation, like you’re about to run a bubble bath, not referee a sibling fight.
3. Vanilla Bean Vinegar Spray
How to Make It:
- Split a vanilla bean pod (or add 3 drops of Vanilla Extract) and add it to 2 cups white vinegar.
- Let it infuse for 48 hours.
- Dilute with water (1:1 ratio) in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
Okay, this one? Obsessed.
It’s smell like vanilla cupcakes, but for your furniture and baseboards.
Use it for wiping down tables after your toddler’s yogurt art session, or cleaning chairs after your dog decided to jump up with muddy paws.
I also hit my baseboards because dust loves them, and this spray makes them smell like I’m baking cookies instead of battling dust bunnies.
4. Mint and Vinegar All-Purpose Spray
How to Make It:
- Fill a jar with fresh mint leaves.
- Cover with white vinegar.
- Steep for 48 hours, strain, and dilute with equal parts water.
What to Clean:
Mint spray is for those days when your kitchen is smelling icky.
You know, after you made tacos, and now it’s like onion-garlic-air freshener fusion?
Spray your counters, stovetop, and even the fridge handles with this.
I also wipe down my kitchen appliances like the microwave, toaster, even the coffee maker for instant fresh smelling vibes.
That minty smell lingers and makes it feel like your house is brushing its teeth, but in a cool, non-weird way.
5. Rosemary and Lemon Vinegar Cleaner
How to Make It:
- Add fresh rosemary sprigs and lemon pieces and peels to a jar.
- Cover with vinegar and steep for 48 hours.
- Strain and dilute with water in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
This is for when you need your kitchen and bathroom to smell like a Pinterest dream.
Counters? Yup.
Sink? Sparkly.
I even wipe down my cutting boards with this because it’s all-natural, so no sketchy chemicals near my food.
The lemon cuts through grease like magic, and the rosemary?
It’s giving herb garden, not “I just cleaned.”
I also use this on the faucet and handles because they get grimey real fast, and this makes them shine while smelling chef’s kiss.
6. Eucalyptus Vinegar Disinfectant
How to Make It:
- Add 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water to a spray bottle.
- Mix in 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil.
- Shake well.
What to Clean:
This spray is for the high-traffic zones, aka where everyone is touching everything with their sticky hands.
Light switches, door handles, bathroom sinks, it gets all the germs while smelling like a spa.
I spray it in the toilet area because kids can’t aim, and it legit makes it feel like I hired a cleaning service.
It’s also great for wiping down the shower tiles and getting rid of that musty smell.
Eucalyptus just makes everything feel so fresh, so clean.
7. Thyme and Lemon Vinegar Spray
How to Make It:
- Add fresh thyme and lemon peels to a jar.
- Cover with white vinegar and let sit for 48 hours.
- Strain and dilute with equal parts water.
What to Clean:
I use it on cutting boards after chopping onions, and it gets rid of that lingering food funk.
Counters, stovetop, fridge shelves—it’s like a detox for your kitchen.
The thyme and lemon combo is low-key elite, making everything smell like you’re hosting brunch, even if you’re just microwaving nuggets.
Also works great inside the microwave if your popcorn bag lowkey exploded.
8. Orange and Clove Vinegar Cleaner
How to Make It:
- Fill a jar with orange peels and a few whole cloves.
- Pour white vinegar over the top.
- Steep for 48 hours, strain, and dilute with water.
What to Clean:
This spray is fall goodness in a bottle.
I use it on the floors because my kids are crumb factories, and it leaves the whole room smelling cozy.
This spray is also best for trash cans, like, that bottom part that gets weird stains?
Spray this, wipe it, and suddenly it’s like that garbage juice incident never happened.
I also wipe my pantry shelves with it because crumbs and spills just appear, and this spray makes it smell like I totally have my life together.
9. Cinnamon Stick Vinegar Spray
How to Make It:
- Add 3-4 cinnamon sticks to a jar.
- Pour in 2 cups white vinegar.
- Let steep for 48 hours.
- Strain and dilute with water in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
This is my holiday hack.
Dining table?
Sparkly and smells like a snickerdoodle.
Chairs that got mystery stains from sticky fingers?
Clean. I also hit the baseboards with this because dust is rude, and now it smells like
I’ve been baking all day.
I even use it on door handles when guests come over—so extra, but everyone’s like, “Omg, what’s that smell?”
It’s giving clean, cozy, Martha Stewart core.
10. Peppermint Vinegar Glass Cleaner
How to Make It:
- Mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water, and 10 drops peppermint essential oil.
- Pour into a spray bottle and shake well.
What to Clean:
This spray is for when your windows and mirrors are a monumental smear mess.
Kid fingerprints everywhere?
Dog nose smudges?
You spray this, wipe, and boom, glass so clear you’ll double-take.
Plus, that peppermint smell is just fresh and clean smelling, like your house just popped a mint.
I even wipe down my bathroom mirror after showers fog it up, and this keeps it streak-free and smelling like an expensive spa.
Homemade Cleaning Solutions with Bleach
Mold in the corners, mystery stains on the sink, and that funky smell that just won’t quit?
Bleach is what you need when you need a deep clean.
But, you don’t need to go full chemical warfare—homemade cleaning solutions with bleach can get your house sparkly clean without the headache fumes.
We’re talking easy mixes that actually work and leave your space smelling fresh, not like a hospital.
11. Lemon Fresh Bleach Cleaner
How to Make It:
- 1 gallon water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- Juice of 1 lemon (or 10 drops lemon essential oil)
Mix it all together in a bucket or spray bottle. Stir it up, and you’re good to go.
What to Clean:
This mix is best for kitchen sinks, cutting boards, and countertops—especially after handling raw meat.
It disinfects like a pro while giving your kitchen that fresh lemon vibe, not that harsh bleach smell.
Also slays those sticky juice spills and mystery gunk that kids somehow manifest overnight.
12. Lavender Spa Bleach Spray
How to Make It:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Combine in a spray bottle and give it a shake.
What to Clean:
Bathroom counters, shower tiles, and even that questionable toilet zone.
Gets rid of germs while leaving that spa-like lavender chill instead of “I just deep-cleaned my bathroom.”
Perfect for wiping down those toothpaste splatter spots and giving your bathroom a quick reset before guests come over.
13. Vanilla Bleach Wipe Down Solution
How to Make It:
- 1 quart warm water
- 1 teaspoon bleach
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or 10 drops vanilla essential oil)
Mix it in a bowl or spray bottle.
What to Clean:
Baseboards, tables, and door handles—aka the stuff everyone touches with sticky fingers.
This keeps your space germ-free while giving off that smell like vanilla coziness.
I love using this after a big family dinner when the table is lowkey crusty, but you want the house to smell like you’ve been baking all day.
14. Minty Clean Bleach Spray
How to Make It:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Shake it all up in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
This spray is perfect for kitchen appliances like your fridge, microwave, and those gross stove knobs.
It cuts through grime while leaving your kitchen smelling fresh, like you just brushed its teeth.
Also great for wiping down trash cans—because those get funky real quick.
15. Eucalyptus Bleach Bathroom Spray
How to Make It:
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons bleach
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Mix in a spray bottle and shake.
What to Clean:
Handles, sinks, tubs, and that whole toilet situation.
This one’s for those deep-clean days when you need to reset your day, but you want it smelling like a eucalyptus sauna, not a janitor’s closet.
Spray it, wipe it, and your bathroom will be giving spa, even if there are rubber ducks everywhere.
16. Orange & Clove Bleach Surface Cleaner
How to Make It:
- 4 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- Peel of 1 orange
- 5 drops clove essential oil
Let the orange peel steep in warm water for 10 minutes, then mix everything together in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
Tables, chairs, highchairs—basically anything the kids touch all day.
Gets rid of germs but smells like fall cozy vibes.
I use it after a meal when my table looks like a food fight went down, but I want my room smelling clean and spicy, not chemical-y.
17. Cucumber Melon Bleach Counter Spray
How to Make It:
- 3 cups water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- 10 drops cucumber essential oil
- 5 drops melon essential oil (optional, but so good)
Shake in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
Kitchen counters, sinks, and fridges—this is for those days when your kitchen dirty, but you don’t want it to smell like bleach.
Leaves everything smelling fresh like a summer snack, while still clapping back at germs.
18. Rosemary Lemon Bleach Mop Solution
How to Make It:
- 1 gallon warm water
- 2 tablespoons bleach
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Juice of 1 lemon
Let the rosemary and lemon steep in warm water for a few minutes, then add the bleach.
What to Clean:
Floors, especially those sticky kitchen floors after snack time.
Gets rid of muddy paw prints, juice spills, and whatever your toddler dropped under the table.
Plus, your house will smell fancy, like you’re hosting brunch, not mopping up spaghetti sauce.
19. Tea Tree Power Bleach Spray
How to Make It:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- 10 drops tea tree essential oil
Mix it up in a spray bottle.
What to Clean:
Bathroom tiles, shower curtains, and that moldy corner you’ve been avoiding.
This spray is fantastic on mildew but smells fresh and earthy, like you planned this clean day, not just panicked before guests arrive.
20. Cinnamon Vanilla Bleach Cleaner
How to Make It:
- 1 quart water
- 1 tablespoon bleach
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 5 drops cinnamon essential oil
Mix in a bowl or spray bottle.
What to Clean:
Perfect for wiping down tables, chairs, and shelves before holiday season hits.
Leaves your home smelling like a snickerdoodle, while still sanitizing everything the kids sneezed on.
Bonus: when guests walk in, they’ll ask what you’re baking, not what cleaner you used.
Stay Safe When Making Your Own Homemade Cleaning Solutions
It’s fun mixing up these spa-smelling cleaning solutions, but you don’t want to make a mistake with this—because cleaning product mistakes can get real messy (and even dangerous) fast.
Mixing the wrong stuff, like bleach and vinegar, can create toxic fumes that’ll have you airing out your house for hours.
So, here are some safe tips for you!
21. Start Simple – Don’t Overdo It
When I first got into DIY cleaning, I definitely overcomplicated it.
I was mixing ten different oils, adding herbs like I was brewing a potion—it was a lot.
Truth is, you only need a few basics: vinegar, baking soda, bleach (safely), and some good essential oils.
Those cover most of the messes life (and kids, and pets) throw at you.
Keeping it simple means you’ll actually use the stuff, instead of letting it collect dust under the sink.
22. Essential Oils Are Your BFF
Nothing transforms a cleaning mix like a few drops of essential oil.
Lemon brightens everything up, lavender makes your bathroom smell like a spa, and peppermint?
That one’s perfect when your kitchen is cluttered and dirty..
I like adding vanilla to bleach mixes because it softens that harsh smell and leaves the house smelling warm and cozy.
It’s the easiest way to make your cleaning routine feel a little more fun and a little less chore-like.
23. Always Dilute Bleach & Vinegar
If you’re like me, you’ve probably once poured straight bleach onto something and immediately regretted every life decision.
It’s strong—and vinegar isn’t much better if you don’t water it down.
A tablespoon of bleach per quart of water is plenty for disinfecting, and vinegar works great when it’s half water, half vinegar.
Anything stronger, and you’ll be choking on fumes while trying to scrub the sink.
Trust me, less is more, and your lungs will thank you.
24. Never Mix Bleach & Vinegar—Like, Ever
This is one of those cleaning rules you don’t mess with.
Mixing bleach and vinegar creates toxic gas, and it’s actually dangerous.
I used to think, “Oh, more power together, right?”
Nope. Just keep them separate—vinegar is your everyday go-to, bleach is for those deep clean days, and they never need to meet.
25. Label Your Bottles (Because You’ll Forget)
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made a new spray, used it once, and then a week later stood there like… what even is this?
Everything in a clear spray bottle looks the same.
Now, I grab a Sharpie and write something quick like “Kitchen Lemon” or “Bleach Wipes” right on the bottle.
It’s not Pinterest-perfect, but it saves me from guessing whether I’m wiping the counter with vinegar or accidentally bleaching it. A simple label keeps everything stress-free.
Spa Smelling Homemade Cleaning Solutions To Make
I hope you found some good DIY cleaning solutions to make. Trust me, your home will smell fantastic and you’ll know that it’s clean too.
For more cleaning and organizing tips, follow me on Pinterest.
