Several months ago, I shared my favorite all purpose cleaner recipe that I DIY at home. A super simple recipe using citrus peels and white vinegar. While I still love this, I wanted to try something a little different for the changing of the seasons.
I wanted something fresh and would remind me of Christmas. Naturally, a pine scented cleaner was where my mind went! We have ONE white pine tree on our property, so I made sure to take just a few cuttings for the vinegar infusion.
After I put mine together, I thought a stick of cinnamon might mix well with the pine scents, so I will definitely be trying this next time!
I think if paired with a cute label, this would be a great low waste, non-toxic Christmas gift for friends and family!
*Note: The white vinegar scent does not linger long; however, if you decide you want a more prominent pine scent, you may want to try this with an 80 proof vodka instead of vinegar. I try to save the alcohol for my tinctures, and don’t mind the vinegar scent (plus it’s cheaper!)
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What you need:
- Glass Jar (or mason jar) for infusing your cleaner
- Mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- White vinegar (I would find this locally, as I could not find any affordable through Amazon!)
- Pine cuttings (white pine, white cedar, white spruce all are quite fragrant!)
- Any extra herbs for fragrance (cinnamon stick, mint, rosemary)
- Funnel
- Glass bottle with spray top
What to do:
- Trim your pine cuttings down to fit inside your chosen jar and add in any of your extra herbs if desired.
- Cover completely with vinegar.
- Make sure to label your infusion with materials used, and the date!
- Place in a dark or dimly lit area for 4-6 weeks to allow the infusion to take place.
- Make sure to shake (if your lid is secure) or stir with a wooden spoon every few days to make sure the plant material stays below the surface.
- After the infusion time is over, strain and compost the plant material.
- Pour your pine cleaner into your spray bottle and start cleaning!
Tip: If you’re fighting calcium buildup, allow your cleaner to soak on the area for 30-60 minutes before scrubbing. A dash of baking soda can also help remove the staining as well!