DIY Lavender Sage Cleaner

A big part of Mindful Living has to do with focusing on the ingredients you put into your body– but what about the cleaners you use in your home? Many common household cleaners like ammonia and bleach are toxic biocides that can have negative effects on the human endocrine system– especially those of small children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

A safer, greener alternative that smells comparatively Ah-mazing is this All-Purpose Lavender Sage cleaner, which we first discovered on Hello Glow. We’ve tweaked the recipe slightly to use ingredients that we could grow, source, or make ourselves, and we’re delighted with the results.

The vinegar (which acts as the base to this cleaner) is naturally acidic– so it’s tough on bacteria, viruses, and other food-borne pathogens that might be left on an idle kitchen counter. Lavender, meanwhile, is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, and it smells wonderful (certainly better than bleach, and it also doubles as calming aromatherapy, which is a bonus).

Sage pairs beautifully with lavender and adds a spicy, earthy scent to temper the sweetness of the lavender and the acrid scent of the vinegar, which would otherwise linger. The vinegar looks beautiful during the infusion process, as the soaking herbs become an element of decor in their own right.

Once strained, the vinegar can be used as a light disinfectant in bathrooms, on kitchen countertops, and on any hard surface in need of a touch-up (just be mindful that vinegar will erode marble and stone, so it’s best to avoid using on these surfaces). This spring, ditch the bleach and enjoy the alchemy of scents you’ll actually want to inhale!