Make this DIY pine sol from home! All you need is 2 simple ingredients, pine needles and white vinegar. Much better than those traditional pine cleaners from the store, filled with nasty chemicals.

I love making my own homemade cleaners, that’s no secret. I prefer using natural ingredients in every aspect of my life, and that certainly doesn’t stop with cleaning my home. Once I started making my own natural cleaning products, I knew I could never go back to the conventional cleaners. First of all, it’s easy and cheaper. Plus, I personally feel like I get better results using the homemade cleaning products.

Why use pine needles?

This study suggest that pine needles have antibacterial properties.
Pine needles have a fresh, woodsy scent that some people find appealing as a natural alternative to harsh chemical cleaners.
Pine needles also help combat the strong vinegar smell. When infused for at least two weeks, the vinegar smell essentially goes away, and you’re left with a fresh pine scent. Such a great way to use vinegar, a powerful cleaner on its own, but also with the added benefits of the pine needles.

Where do you get the pine needles?

Right now, as I’m writing this, I’m living in Finland, so I’m surrounded by pine trees. So I simply forage the pine needles off of the trees around me. But anywhere you can find pine trees will work. I think it’s important to add that Yew, Norfolk Island Pine, and Ponderosa Pine trees, are all pine trees I would avoid. Their needles are toxic if they are ingested, so I wouldn’t be spraying them around my house.

How do you make pine needle vinegar?

So the best way to make this homemade pine sol cleaning spray – is to first gather up some pine needles! Next, you will clean the pine needles and pat dry (I clean them because if you don’t there may be excess dirt and/or small bugs on the needles). Then, you’re going to use a glass jar or glass container (whatever you have on hand – doesn’t need to be fancy). You’re going to fill the glass jar up with all of the clean pine needles. Then, you will grab some white vinegar, and pour vinegar over the pine needles until they are covered entirely. You will close the glass jar up, give it a little shake, and store in a dark place. I always just throw mine in the pantry, under your kitchen sink works too.

How long does it take to infuse?

Now you will wait for a couple of weeks. Give the pine needles and the vinegar time to infuse. I will occasionally shake the jar when I think of it, just to help with the infusion process. This process will take max 3 weeks, after the 3 weeks the infusion process is complete and the pine sol cleaner will be ready to use. The smell of vinegar really shouldn’t linger anymore, and you should really only have that fresh pine scent I talked about earlier!

The pine needle vinegar is ready, now what?

Now that your vinegar cleaning spray is ready, you will need a fine mesh strainer to strain off the vinegar from the leftover pine needles. You can store the infused vinegar in a mason jar, but really any glass jar will work. Whenever, you’re ready to use the pine vinegar, grab a plastic or glass spray bottle of your choice, and a funnel. Now you will pour in equal parts of pine vinegar and part water. This is really one of the easiest ways to make a natural disinfectant from home, and just like that you now have an all purpose cleaner.

If you would like to give your pine vinegar some extra cleaning power (or scent), feel free to drop some essential oils in your vinegar solution. Play around with it and test out which scents you love together.

Safe to use on:

Stainless steel appliances: It removes fingerprints and light grease. (some appliance manuals, will say to not use vinegar, so check that before using)
Glass and windows: The vinegar cuts through grime and leaves a streak-free shine.
Laminate and ceramic countertops: It disinfects and cuts through light grease.
Floors: Diluted pine vinegar can be used for cleaning linoleum, vinyl, and sealed tile floors. (I will spray directly on the floor and mop in up after)

Ways you can use your pine vinegar cleaning spray:

All-purpose cleaner: Dilute with water and use on countertops, sinks, appliances, and floors.
Degreaser: For light grease on stovetops and ovens (avoid cast iron).
Bathroom cleaner: Cuts through soap scum and grime on showers, hard water stains, tubs, and toilets (avoid natural stone surfaces).
Garbage can disinfectant: Spray diluted vinegar to freshen and disinfect your trash can.

Not Recommended For:

Marble, natural stone, or granite countertops: The acidity of vinegar can dull the finish.
Unsealed wood: Vinegar can damage unsealed surfaces.
Cast iron cookware: Vinegar can react with the seasoning on cast iron.

Tips for your convenience:

Label your jar with the date (either the date it will be finished, or the date you made it). It will help you remember when it is done.
Store your finished vinegar in a cool, dark place for up to several months – general rule is that if it looks good and smells good, then it’s still good to use.
I use this natural cleaner on a daily basis, so I recommend making a decently large batch. It takes time to infuse, so it’s nice to not run out.

Try out more of my natural cleaning recipes:

Orange Peel Vinegar – a similar cleaning solution, just made with orange peels and vinegar

Lemon Peel Vinegar – the same as above, lemon peels and vinegar, I also like to add lemon essential oil

Conclusion:

I love making my own cleaners because it saves so much time and money. I don’t have to run to the store and grab a ton of cleaning supplies. Plus, you really can’t beat the fresh smell of pine! Let me know if you try this homemade pine sol, share it with a friend who is looking to make the switch! I can’t wait to hear how much you love it!