How to Make a Simple Vinegar Based Floor Cleaner Concentrate

Floors cleaned with natural ingredients are possible with a simple vinegar based floor cleaner concentrate! Forget going to the store when you can make your own cleaner from scratch in less than 5 minutes.  Skip to Recipe

Shiny, clean floors with a hint of citrus lingering in the air.

A lot of life happens on the floor. Little ones crawl and take their first steps. Toddlers build block towers. Little girls play dress up. Teens flop down to watch a movie. You lie down on the floor to do your stretches.

People (and animals) may come and go on a daily bases.

You care about what goes in on your body. This transfers over into what you clean with as well.

As you probably know, most commercial cleaners are full of strong chemicals to get the job done. We all want a clean house right?

Your body comes in contact with all of the cleaners you use, even if you are wearing gloves. You inhale the fumes as you pour or spray your cleaning solution.

Even after you rinse the floors after you mop, bits of those cleaners are left behind. Little Susie without fail will be picking up the snack she dropped on the floor and putting it in her mouth.

So why not ensure that the cleaner you leave residues of on the floor is one that you are okay with being in close contact with your family?

To have clean floors without toxic cleaners you don’t have to invest in premade naturally based ones. Though you can, I’ll include a list at the bottom of this post of quality ones to choose from.

If you look in your cupboards and pantry you probably already have what you need to make this simple, non-toxic cleaner in less than 5 minutes.

That’s less time than it takes to put on your shoes and hop in the car.

This simple floor cleaner is as easy as pie, way easier than making pie!

Here’s the short and simple list:

• White Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Essential Oil

I love the beauty in simplification. That’s why I like to have one cleaner to accomplish many tasks. My cabinets aren’t crowded with spray bottles like they were in my early 20s,  making them easier to organize and keep track of what I have.

I keep this simple vinegar based floor cleaner concentrate and my 3-in-1 All-Purpose Cleaner on hand and that’s about it.

The Key Players

White Vinegar

White vinegar is an inexpensive product that you can use to clean many things around the house. You can find a gallon at your grocery store or Costco for a great price. White vinegar breaks up grease and dissolves hard water stains.

It is non-toxic and disinfectant, making it a safe cleaner for your family and the environment. It’s nice not to have to worry about the harmful chemicals. White vinegar kills 99% of the bacteria, 80% of viruses (germs) and 82 % of mold. (Source)

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing Alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol or surgical spirits is another disinfectant. You probably already have a bottle of it in your cabinet to clean minor cuts and scrapes. Its main purpose in this recipe is to boost the white vinegar and make your floors shine a bit more.

Note: Rubbing Alcohol is flammable, so please keep this cleaner away from open flame and refrain from using it near things like a gas stove.

Essential Oils

For an added cleaning power add essential oils. Essential oils are used in tiny proportions so even a small bottle goes a long way. Many are antibacterial and disinfectant. They will also cover up most of the smell of the vinegar while cleaning.

Essential oils for cleaning:

• Lavender is antibacterial, antiseptic, and antimicrobial, it is also has a very calm and soothing effect.
• Peppermint is antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic. It has a fresh and invigorating smell.
• Grapefruit is antiseptic and a disinfectant. It has a mild citrus scent that makes it of my favourites.
• Lemon is antiseptic and antiviral, your house will smell fresh and cheerful!
• Orange is antiseptic.
• Tea Tree Oil is antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic. It has a strong scent but is a powerhouse of an oil. It leaves your floors smelling fresh and clean.

Citrus oils are good at breaking up grease because they contain limonene which is a naturally occurring solvent found in many household cleaners.

You can use any of these oils on their own or as a combination of a few of them to make use of their important properties. My personal favourtie combo is equal parts of lavender and grapefruit. If my floors are dirtier than usual I’ll add in tea tree oil and one of the others.

Note: Be sure to exercise some caution around your children and animals because the oils can be toxic if consumed. 

Okay, now, ready, set, go!

Take your three ingredients, pour them in a bottle, give it a shake, and pour out what you need into hot water to mop your floors.

You can also add them into a spray bottle and spray it directly on the floor using a damp mop.

See how easy it is? You’ve got this! Before you even get in the car you can have this simple vinegar based floor cleaning concentrate made!

 

 

Simple Vinegar Based Floor Cleaner Concentrate

 

Ready Made Floor Cleaners to Buy:

• Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner
• Eco-Me Floor Cleaner

My Current Mop:

• E-cloth Deep Clean Mop

Please do not use this recipe on granite, marble, or another natural stone surface, as the acid in the vinegar can harm them. This recipe has also not been tested on wood.