If you’re trying to ditch the toxic stuff under your sink, this herbal thieves cleaner is the perfect place to start. It takes about two minutes to make, costs next to nothing, and honestly? It works better than most of the store-bought sprays I’ve tried. Plus it smells like a cozy little apothecary in here, so that’s a bonus.
I love this recipe because it makes the whole house smell fresh and herbal instead of like harsh chemicals. Plus, once the herbal vinegar concentrate is made, you can use it to refill cleaning sprays anytime you need.
The combination of herbs and spices gives this cleaner that classic “thieves-style” scent that feels warm, fresh, and perfect for a natural home.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Cleaner
One of the best things about this cleaner is how simple the ingredients are. Vinegar acts as the base that helps break down grime and buildup, while the herbs slowly infuse their natural oils into the mixture.
The result is a powerful herbal vinegar concentrate that can be diluted into an everyday cleaning spray for countertops, sinks, stovetops, and general household cleaning.
Herbal Thieves Cleaner Recipe
Ingredients for the herbal vinegar Infusion
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 2 stems fresh eucalyptus leaves
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Ingredients to make 8-oz spray bottle
- Filtered water (to fill remaining bottle)
- 1/2 cup herbal vinegar concentrate
- 1–2 teaspoons liquid castile soap
Herbal Vinegar Concentrate Instructions:
1. Combine the herbs and vinegar
In a clean glass jar, combine the white vinegar, eucalyptus leaves, rosemary sprigs, cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
Make sure the herbs are fully covered by the vinegar so they can infuse properly.
Seal the jar and allow the herbs to infuse in the vinegar for about two weeks.
Want to save this for later?
Send it to yourself now and try it out when you’re ready!
Give the jar a gentle shake every few days to help release the herbal oils into the vinegar.
2. Strain the herbal vinegar
After the infusion period, strain out all the herbs and plant material using a fine mesh strainer.
You should now have a fragrant herbal vinegar concentrate.
4. Add the lemon juice
Stir in the fresh lemon juice and mix well. This adds a bit of freshness and brightness to the cleaner.
Herbal Thieves Cleaner Spray Instructions:
1. Add the herbal vinegar concentrate
Fill your spray bottle about halfway with the herbal vinegar concentrate.
2. Add the castile soap
Add 1–2 teaspoons of liquid castile soap to the bottle.
3. Fill with water
Fill the remaining space in the bottle with filtered water.
Close the bottle and gently shake to combine the ingredients. Shake lightly before each use.
Herbal Thieves Cleaner
Ingredients
To Make Herbal Vinegar Infusion
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 2 stems fresh eucalyptus leaves
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 3 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
To Make One 8-oz Spray Bottle
- 1/2 cup herbal vinegar concentrate
- 1-2 teaspoons liquid castile soap
- Filtered water to fill remaining bottle
Instructions
To Make Herbal Vinegar Infusion
- In a clean glass jar, combine the white vinegar, eucalyptus leaves, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and rosemary sprigs.
- Seal the jar and let the herbs infuse in the vinegar for 2 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
- After 2 weeks, strain out all herbs and plant material.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
To Make the Cleaner
- Fill your spray bottle halfway with the herbal vinegar concentrate.
- Add in the castile soap.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water.
- Shake gently before each use. Spray onto surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth. Great for counters, sinks, stovetops, and general household cleaning.
Notes
- Concentrated herbal vinegar (before dilution): 6–12 months
- Diluted cleaner (in spray bottle): 2–3 months
