If you’ve ever stood in the cleaning aisle staring at shelves of plastic bottles, you’re not alone. From “anti-bacterial miracle sprays” to “power degreasers,” it’s easy to forget that some of the most effective cleaning ingredients are already sitting in our kitchen cupboards.
One of my absolute favourites is white vinegar – simple, affordable and incredibly versatile. It’s been used for generations as a natural cleaner and for good reason – it works.
Why white vinegar works so well
White vinegar (also known as distilled vinegar) contains acetic acid, which cuts through grease, grime and soap scum with ease. Its mildly acidic nature helps dissolve limescale, neutralise odours and even break down mineral deposits, all without the need for harsh synthetic chemicals. The best part is that there’s no residue, artificial fragrance or plastic waste if you refill your bottles. This fits perfectly with the Sugarbush way of living: effective, simple, natural.
How to make a simple surface spray
If you caught the video a few weeks ago, you’ll be well on your way to your own surface spray. But if you missed it, here’s how you can make your own vinegar-based cleaner with a little preparation and patience.
You’ll need:
• A sealable glass jar
• A reusable spray bottle
• Muslin or cheese cloth
• Citrus peels – satsumas, lemons, limes, oranges (whatever you typically use at home)
• 5% white vinegar (12% is too harsh on most surfaces)
• Boiled and cooled water (or distilled water if you prefer)
To make:
1. Cut the peels off your citrus fruit, making sure you don’t get the flesh. Cut them into strips if you like or just peel a satsuma and use the peel as it comes.
2. Add your peels to your glass jar.
3. Pour the vinegar over the peels to the top of the jar. Leave to sit on a shelf for 2 weeks until the vinegar is golden orange in colour.
4. Separate your peels from the vinegar and discard the peels. Depending on the size of your jar, you should have enough vinegar for refills.
5. Add your vinegar to the spray bottle until 1/3 of the bottle is full. Top up the bottle with distilled water.
6. Store the rest of your vinegar in the glass jar ready for a refill as needed.
7. Shake gently before each use.
That’s it! You’ve just made a natural, refillable cleaner that’s kind to both your home and the planet.
Alternatives: if you don’t have citrus fruits and also don’t want to wait for a few weeks for the vinegar to extract oils from the citrus peels, you can substitute the citrus for essential oil – lemon and lime work well. In this case, skip steps 1-4 and go straight to mixing plain white vinegar, water and 10-15 drops of essential oil. Use equal parts vinegar to water.
NB: Avoid oils like eucalyptus or tea tree for kitchen surfaces but these are great in the bathroom.
⚠️ A quick note on what NOT to clean with vinegar
Because it’s acidic, vinegar isn’t suitable for every surface. Avoid using it on:
• Marble or granite (it can dull the finish)
• Natural stone tiles
• Waxed wood surfaces
Otherwise, it’s brilliant for countertops, sinks, taps, mirrors, glass and even the fridge interior.
Switching to natural cleaning products is one of the simplest ways to reduce your exposure to synthetic fragrances, harsh cleaning agents which can irritate the skin and reduce single-use plastics. At Sugarbush, I believe that small changes – like choosing natural ingredients and refillable products – make a big difference over time. All our small actions have a cumulative effect that it ultimately kinder to your skin, your home and the planet.
Where Sugarbush comes in
Switching to natural cleaning products is where my Sugarbush journey began. I was introduced to essential oils first and as I used them, I began to see how powerful they were in so many applications. I wondered whether I could create my own products and gradually swapped our store-bought cleaning products out for homemade ones over 18 months. The bonus? My kids can help clean our home and I know they aren’t coming into contact with ingredients I’m not familiar with.
While I love making my own cleaning agents that are safe and effective, my passion is skincare and I pour that same philosophy into our handmade cosmetics: simple and effective formulations, high-quality natural ingredients and products that benefit your skin AND the planet. Browse the website for my skincare range.
