Updated May 20, 2022
Vinegars are wonderfully versatile and have long been appreciated for their ability to clean and disinfect surfaces and to preserve and enhance food. They also have many health benefits and can be infused with a variety of herbs for more specific medicinal or practical uses.
Infused vinegars are simple to make and can be customized to serve many different purposes. They are a tasty addition to salad dressings, soups, and sauces. They can be used in your beauty routine to help balance skin and hair. They are also a safe and effective alternative to conventional cleaning products.
This recipe is best suited as an ingredient in an all-purpose household cleaner, though it could certainly be consumed as well. It utilizes distilled vinegar, which has antibacterial and antifungal properties and works well to remove stains and odors from a variety of surfaces.
Lime is a disinfectant that kills bacteria and viruses, making it a great addition to a cleaning spray. The naturally occurring acids in citrus also help to cut grease and remove stains. Lavender adds a lovely smell to the vinegar and is naturally antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic.
Ingredients:
- Lime peels, roughly chopped
- Fresh lavender sprigs
- Distilled Vinegar
Directions:
Fill a jar with lime peels. Don’t pack the jar too tightly, the peels will need to be able to move freely in the vinegar to infuse well. Add the sprigs of lavender and pour vinegar over top to fill the jar. Cap tightly with a lid. (If your lid is metal, placing a square of parchment paper between the lid and the rim of the jar can help prevent corrosion.)
Let infuse for about 4 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Then, strain through a mesh strainer or cheese cloth and rebottle.
To make an all purpose cleaner with your vinegar you will need:
- 1 part lavender-lime infused distilled vinegar
- 1/2 to 1 part water
- essential oils, if desired
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and use to clean and disinfect surfaces, neutralize odors, and remove stains.
Other ingredients that make great additions to infused vinegars that are to be used for cleaning and disenfecting purposes are thyme, tea tree, basil, eucalyptus, oregano, sage, rosemary, and lemon.
Enjoy infusing your own vinegars for all your culinary and household needs.
mama libélula 