TL;DR
Get decor and gifts delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Apartment Therapy writer Stephanie Ganz reports that a professional house cleaner shared a DIY all-purpose spray recipe she has used for years: equal parts distilled water and distilled white vinegar. The mixture is not suitable for every surface, including natural stone and wood, and the article does not provide independent testing or evidence that it is safer or more effective than commercial cleaners.
Apartment Therapy writer Stephanie Ganz says she has used a professional house cleaner’s DIY spray for years, mixing equal amounts of distilled water and distilled white vinegar. Ganz writes that she tried the mixture after struggling to find store-bought cleaners that worked for her household without aggravating family members’ sensitivities to fragrances and dyes. The recipe is not appropriate for every surface.
The recipe, as described in Ganz’s report, calls for filling a clean spray bottle with equal amounts of distilled water and distilled white vinegar, then gently shaking the mixture. Distilled water is recommended to avoid trace minerals that could leave residue. Ganz says boiled water can be used if distilled water is unavailable, though the source does not give further preparation or cooling instructions.
Essential oils, citrus peels or sturdy herbs such as rosemary are listed as optional scent additions. The article suggests about 10 drops of essential oil, but does not give a measured quantity for the other additions. Ganz recommends spraying the solution onto a surface and wiping it with a microfiber cloth, while warning readers to avoid materials that can be damaged by vinegar’s acidity.
The writer says the spray can be used on surfaces including windows, appliances and faucets, and for minor carpet stains. That broad description comes from the article, not a published test of the solution across materials or stain types. It also does not establish that the mixture disinfects surfaces or removes every kind of dirt and stain.
A Low-Cost Option With Surface Limits
The recipe offers readers a short, inexpensive ingredient list and an alternative to buying a separate bottled all-purpose cleaner. Ganz says fragrance and dye sensitivities were the main reason her household tried making its own solution. Other possible motivations mentioned in the article include knowing what is in a cleaner and reducing the number of disposable plastic bottles used.
Those advantages should not be read as proof that a homemade mixture is safer, more effective or environmentally better in every household. The report is a personal account and recipe, not a comparative product study. Its practical warning is especially relevant: vinegar is acidic, and the writer advises against using the spray on wood and natural stone that could etch or erode. Readers should check care guidance for a surface before applying the mixture.
all-purpose cleaning spray with vinegar
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How Ganz Came Across the Recipe
Ganz describes a household of two adults and two children, with three family members experiencing eczema and sensitivities to artificial fragrances and dyes. She writes that she tried various store-bought cleaning products: some worked but were expensive, while others did not meet her needs.
A few years ago, a professional house cleaner shared the recipe, according to Ganz. The article does not name the cleaner or identify specific commercial products Ganz tried. Its central claim is her personal experience using the spray, rather than a new product launch, formal recommendation by a health professional or laboratory assessment.
“I haven’t gone back to the store-bought version since then.”
— Stephanie Ganz, writing for Apartment Therapy
Testing and Surface Compatibility
The article does not report independent tests of cleaning performance, comparisons with commercial products, or evidence that the spray disinfects. It also does not identify the professional cleaner who supplied the recipe or explain how the mixture performed on each listed surface. The claim that it is effective is presented through Ganz’s personal experience.
Readers’ materials and sensitivities differ, and the source does not establish that vinegar is suitable for every finish, fabric or appliance. It specifically warns against using the mixture on wood and natural stone that may be etched or eroded. The article also does not discuss medical advice for people with eczema or other skin conditions.
Storage Depends on Added Ingredients
Ganz says a mixture of water and vinegar alone can last indefinitely, while a batch containing natural ingredients added for scent should be discarded after about a month and replaced. The article advises labeling the bottle and keeping it in a dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. It suggests reusing a plastic bottle or choosing a reusable glass spray bottle.
No further testing or product development is announced in the report. For readers who try the recipe, the next step is to confirm that vinegar is compatible with the intended surface, make only the amount they plan to use, and follow the article’s storage guidance—particularly for batches containing scent additions.
Key Questions
What is in the DIY cleaning spray?
The recipe uses equal amounts of distilled water and distilled white vinegar. Ganz lists essential oil or other scent additions as optional.
Which surfaces does the article say to avoid?
Ganz warns against using the acidic mixture on wood and natural stone surfaces that may etch or erode. Check the care instructions for a material before applying it.
Does this spray disinfect surfaces?
The report does not provide evidence that the recipe disinfects. It describes it as an all-purpose cleaning spray and does not include laboratory testing or disinfection claims.
How long can the mixture be stored?
Ganz says the water-and-vinegar mixture alone can last indefinitely. If natural ingredients are added for scent, she recommends discarding the batch after about one month.
Source: rss
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Picks
long weekend sales
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
