So, I started cleaning with vinegar

[AFWife]

and I discovered the smell is enough to make me want to vomit. :Puke I grew up with mainstream cleaners and I prefer the smell of those.

Anyone else? Will I get past it?

[doubledutch]

you will, but also, are you diluting it? i use at most a cup of vinegar (plus a little dish soap and a few drops of essential oils) in a spray bottle filled with water.

[lynsage]

I add sweet orange and tea tree essential oils to my cleaning vinegar. It helps, but I do usually leave the room after cleaning with it until the smell disspates.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by lynsage

I add sweet orange and tea tree essential oils to my cleaning vinegar. It helps, but I do usually leave the room after cleaning with it until the smell disspates.

I picked up a relatively reasonable bottle of orange EO that I add to help with the smell.

While the smell doesn't bother me, DH absolutely hates the smell of vinegar and constantly got on my case when I first started using it. He must be used to it by now because he no longer says anything.

[Drummer's Wife]

I think you might get used to it - and def dilute and add EO's if it will help. My DH used to complain, and my kitchen smelled like salad - but he doesn't say anything now (I switched about 3 yrs ago). He now comments when we smell fumes from commercial cleaners when at stores or other homes.

[olien]

Def dilute it. you only need a small amount. I agree with everyone else use EOs!!!

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

He now comments when we smell fumes from commercial cleaners when at stores or other homes.

Mine too! Which is a huge sign of improvement as he thought I was a bit nutty to switch to more natural/less toxic cleaners.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by doubledutch

you will, but also, are you diluting it? i use at most a cup of vinegar (plus a little dish soap and a few drops of essential oils) in a spray bottle filled with water.

It's 50/50 I used 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of water... I didn't think about using EOs

[SeekingJoy]

I would do a 1:3 ratio instead. Also, you can try apple cider vinegar. It is slightly more expensive, but certainly still less than commercial cleaners.

[luv-my-boys]

Well I too hate the smell of vinegar even though its diluted. I use Tea tree oil(good disenfectant and anti fungal) and a mix of other EO with water in a spray bottle. I sometimes add a little baking soda and shake it up.

[lulu0807]

I just started cleaning with vinegar! after reading about it in my new favorite book, Organic Housekeeping, I'm hooked. didn't think about adding EO... just add a few drops?

[lovebug]

[dawningmama]

I use about 1:3 ratio and add EOs. I actually sort of like the smell of diluted vinegar & citrus now as it smells like "clean house."

[babycarrier]

I think you get used to it. Dh always commented on it and rarely does anymore unless I'm soaking something in the kitchen (ie hardwater scale on the cat's bowl). I love vinegar and have gotten used to the smell.

[smpayne]

Even 1:3 is quite a bit of vinegar. I normally use 1:16 for mopping floors and 1:8 in the spray bottle. I might double the vinegar if things are real dirty, but it doesn't usually require much more than that.

[PatienceAndLove]

A 1:3 ratio is definitely a good ratio!

I like lavender and tea tree, myself.

[sunnysandiegan]

The ratio may depend on your water. We have really hard water (calcium deposits run rampant here) and anything less than 50/50 doesn't work.

[Elecampane]

I hate the smell of vinegar too. I have added tons of orange oil and diluted it to no avail--the smell still makes me retch. Even in commercial products I can detect the slghtest trace of vinegar, such as in the EFP window kleener I used last night, ick. So I use my homemade vinegar cleaner sometimes, mainly in the kitchen, but I'm much more likely to reach for the mrs meyers clean day .

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by sunnysandiegan

The ratio may depend on your water. We have really hard water (calcium deposits run rampant here) and anything less than 50/50 doesn't work.

I actually pick up a gallon of drinking water from walmart to make my cleaners. That seems to make a difference, even over filtering my tap water.

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove

I actually pick up a gallon of drinking water from walmart to make my cleaners. That seems to make a difference, even over filtering my tap water.

Interesting. Thanks for posting. I wonder if the 50/50 vinegar/water cleans water spots and such (mirrors and bathrooms and kitchens) because the vinegar is required to get the hard water deposits off the counters/mirrors or if it is required to be 50/50 because of the mineral content (hard water) in the solution itself???????? I foresee a science experiment after the holidays!