This DIY herb-infused household cleaner turns fresh rosemary, thyme, sage or oregano into a natural, fragrant cleaning spray using vinegar or vodka. Autumn is the perfect time to make it, using what is overflowing in the garden before the frosts arrive. Cutting the herbs back for winter and turning the trimmings into a cleaner feels like the garden is helping around the house, and it makes the whole house smell like a herb garden.
These aromatic plants contain volatile oils that give them their scent; thyme and oregano, for example, are rich in thymol and carvacrol.
What you need
- Fresh rosemary, thyme, sage and/or oregano
- Plain white vinegar or 80–100 proof vodka (40–50% alcohol)
- A clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
- A fine strainer or cheesecloth
- A clean, labelled spray bottle
Choose your base
For a vinegar cleaner: completely cover the herbs with plain white vinegar. Vinegar is useful for everyday grime, soap residue and mineral build-up.
For an alcohol-based cleaner: completely cover the fresh herbs with 80–100 proof vodka. Because fresh herbs naturally contain water, 100 proof vodka is preferable when available.
How to make it
- Fill a clean jar generously with fresh rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano. You do not need all four; use what you have.
- Pour over your chosen base until the herbs are completely submerged.
- Seal, label and leave the jar to macerate for 2–4 weeks away from direct heat and sunlight. Shake it gently every few days.
- Strain thoroughly through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
- Transfer the strained liquid to a clean, labelled spray bottle.
How to use it
Spray onto a suitable washable surface, leave briefly, then wipe with a clean cloth. Test a hidden area first. This is an everyday household cleaner, not a registered disinfectant.
Important safety notes
- Never mix vinegar or alcohol cleaners with bleach or other household cleaning products.
- Do not use vinegar on marble, granite, limestone or other natural stone.
- Keep away from flames and heat if using alcohol.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets and label the bottle clearly.
Grow a useful cleaning-herb garden
Rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano earn their place in the garden many times over: fragrant, useful in the kitchen, loved by bees and easy to harvest. Plant Rosemary 'Tuscan Blue', Broadleaf Thyme, Common Sage and Greek Oregano together in a sunny bed or large pot, or pick your favourites from our Choose Your Own Culinary Herbs.