[*clementine*]

Dosen't it smell bad? I've avoided the suggestion because I hate the way it smells. I can't imagine EOs cutting through the smell. Do they?<br>
I like my house to smell good when I clean.<br>
I've been buying some pretty pricey organic cleaners but I'm curious about homemade cleaners because if I could save money and if it dosen't stink, it would be silly not to go this route.

 

[kytheria]

It does smell a bit vinegar-y, but it dissipates quickly. I find the scent of conventional cleaners stays around longer than a vinegar based one, and the area smells cleaner after vinegar.<br><br>
I used to hate the scent of vinegar but now I don't even really notice it. And EO's really can make a vinegar based cleaner smell pretty. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Mix up a small amount (maybe a cup) of a cleaner and give it a try. If you don't like it you're only out pennies.

 

[*clementine*]

Do you use white or apple cider? And say I took a 32 oz. spray bottle to begin with. I'd fill it with water, and how much vinegar do you add?<br>
Thanks for the reply. I think I may try this.<br>
The organic cleaner I use is almost gone and I have to get it in the city which is an hour away. I don't want to run out and have to use something icky from Walmart.<br>
So you can actually smell the EOs in the cleaner? Seems like a waste of a good essential oil to me lol.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">:

 

[living_organic]

I used a spray bottle with 1/4 c vinegar 2 c water and 10 drops cinnamon oil and it worked great! I also didn't notice the vinegar smell as much.<br><br>
But you can also clean with peroxide or a washing soda and water mixture

 

[kytheria]

I use about 1/8c of cheap white vinegar per cup of water. I don't view the EO's as a waste because I like different scents, and certain EO's, like grapefruit or tto, also have antiseptic properties, so I see it as adding to the cleaning power. YMMV. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[hubris]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kytheria</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7925468"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">It does smell a bit vinegar-y, but it dissipates quickly.</div>
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I agree. And I've also found that over time, my perception of the smell of vinegar has changed. Now it smells clean to me, instead of just vinegary. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[lindberg99]

I don't like the smell of vinegar either. It reminds me of working in a lab (we used a lot of acetic acid). You don't have to clean with 50/50 vinegar/water. You can use less and add some borax and soap to make an all purpose cleaner.<br><br>
I made this one today and liked it:<br><br>
Mix 2 Tablespoons vinegar with 1 tsp borax. Add 2 cups hot water (I used distilled water). Shake until dissolved. Add some liquid soap, I just squirt some in. You can add some EO for fragrance if you want but I used Dr. B's peppermint and that is enough fragrance for me.<br><br>
And try Heinz vinegar. I think it smells less.

 

[momto l&a]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>jillkuster</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7925414"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Dosen't it smell bad? I've avoided the suggestion because I hate the way it smells. I can't imagine EOs cutting through the smell. Do they?<br>
I like my house to smell good when I clean.<br>
I've been buying some pretty pricey organic cleaners but I'm curious about homemade cleaners because if I could save money and if it dosen't stink, it would be silly not to go this route.</div>
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Dh and I tried cleaning with it for awhile and just couldn't hack the smell.<br><br>
EO's didn't help, actually made it worse.<br>
And the vinegar smell lasted for a long time.<br><br>
I also couldn't hack the way it dried on some object and left little marks that I would have to buff off.<br><br>
Good ole dishsoap works well doesn't stink and leave marks.

 

[eden/averymum]

you can clean alot with just baking soda. it has no smell. I find the vinegar smell vanishes really fast especially in open spaces. and even in my bathroom with no window it is gone withing 30 minutes. I dilute it about 1 part vinegar to 20 parts water. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shrug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="shrug">

 

[*clementine*]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kytheria</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7925515"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I use about 1/8c of cheap white vinegar per cup of water. I don't view the EO's as a waste because I like different scents, and certain EO's, like grapefruit or tto, also have antiseptic properties, so I see it as adding to the cleaning power. YMMV. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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I know that EOs can have antiseptic properites-I just felt the smell would be like a drop in the ol' vinegar bucket.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[*clementine*]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>hubris</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7925958"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I agree. And I've also found that over time, my perception of the smell of vinegar has changed. Now it smells clean to me, instead of just vinegary. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
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I wondered if that might happen-but company won't be used to it, and I like to impress with my clean house and I like it to smell fresh to others too. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[Racecarma]

If you're having company -- after you clean, use a diffuser and some orange eo in the area your guests will be. This usually works for me - all people really smell is the fresh citrus.

 

[Melaniemomto6]

I use equal parts vinegar and water and then add TTO. The smell does dissipate quickly

 

[jenerationx]

I use 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water and then put in about 8 drops of lavendar oil. It really does help cut back on the vinegar smell!

 

[ErikaLeigh]

vinegar and water doesn't smell that bad to me and it's alright.<br><br>
the little smell that it does leave goes away quick..<br><br>
and yes EO's will cut it!

 

[lindberg99]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>jillkuster</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7927964"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I wondered if that might happen-but company won't be used to it, and I like to impress with my clean house and I like it to smell fresh to others too. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment"></div>
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If you do clean with vinegar, when you have company, you could use any vinegar smell as a chance to educate others about non-toxic cleaners. Or when you have company, you could clean up with a different cleaner.<br><br>
You don't have to use vinegar. Right now in my kitchen, I've got some diluted Sal Suds in a sprayer and I'm using that to clean. I'll also make a bathroom cleaner out of diluted eucalyptus Dr. Bronner's and some TTO. It smells kind of like the Method bathroom cleaner.

 

[aiccerb]

My dh hates the smell of vinegar and lets me know about everytime I clean; particularily if I put lavender in it<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> I was about to give up and start buying a comercial natural product when someone on here suggested using more "citrus-y" smelling eo's. I use lime and grapefruit now with 50/50 water/vinegar and it smell great IMO<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> I think he all ready associates citrus with mainstream cleaners so it wasnt as much as a stretch for him.<br><br>
I'd like to second the Heinz vinegar suggestion...I think it is a little less stinky.