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Apartment Therapy contributor Stephanie Ganz revisited a DIY cleaner recipe shared years ago by a professional house cleaner: equal parts distilled water and distilled white vinegar. The report says it can be used on many household surfaces, but warns against using it on wood and natural stone because vinegar may damage them.
Apartment Therapy has published a report on a homemade all-purpose cleaning spray made with equal parts distilled water and distilled white vinegar. Contributor Stephanie Ganz says a professional house cleaner shared the recipe with her years ago and that she has used it since. The article cautions readers not to apply the mixture to wood or natural stone, which vinegar’s acidity can damage.
Ganz writes that she began looking for alternatives to commercial cleaners because several members of her household have eczema and sensitivities to artificial fragrances and dyes. She says some store-bought products were expensive, while others did not meet her needs. The cleaner’s recipe, she reports, became her preferred option. That is her personal experience, not evidence that the mixture is suitable for every household or every surface.
To make the spray, the article instructs readers to fill a clean spray bottle with equal amounts of distilled water and distilled white vinegar, then gently shake it. Boiled water is offered as an alternative if distilled water is unavailable. Optional additions include about 10 drops of essential oil or other scent enhancers, as well as citrus peels or sturdy herbs such as rosemary. The report does not provide test results comparing the homemade mixture’s cleaning performance with commercial products.
Ganz says the spray can be used on surfaces including windows, appliances and faucets, and suggests applying it as one would a standard spray cleaner before wiping with a microfiber cloth. The report specifically advises against using it on surfaces that may be etched or eroded by vinegar, naming wood and natural stone. It recommends labeling the bottle and storing it in a dry location away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
A Low-Cost Recipe With Surface Limits
The recipe offers readers a simple alternative to buying bottled all-purpose cleaner, using two basic ingredients and a reusable spray bottle. Ganz also describes reducing exposure to added fragrances and dyes as a reason her family sought another option. Those considerations may matter to households trying to control product ingredients or reduce packaging, although the report does not quantify cost savings or environmental effects.
The limitations are as relevant as the recipe. “All-purpose” does not mean safe for every material: the article’s warning about vinegar-sensitive surfaces means readers should check what a surface is made of before spraying it. The account is a household report, not a product-safety evaluation or a medical recommendation for people with eczema or other sensitivities.
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The source is Apartment Therapy’s first-person account by Stephanie Ganz, a contributor who says a professional house cleaner passed along the mixture several years ago. The article presents the recipe as a practical household tip and explains why Ganz moved away from some store-bought cleaners. It does not identify the cleaner or describe independent testing of the formula.
The suggested base is water and white vinegar, with distilled water preferred to reduce mineral residue. The article says boiled water can stand in for distilled water. Scent additions are optional, rather than part of the core recipe; the report says batches containing natural additions should be discarded after about a month. It says a water-and-vinegar mixture alone can last indefinitely, but does not give laboratory evidence or a specific storage study for that claim.
“I haven’t gone back to the store-bought version since then.”
— Stephanie Ganz, Apartment Therapy contributor
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Performance and Safety Still Vary
The article provides no independent testing of how well the spray removes different kinds of dirt, grease or stains, and it does not compare its results with commercial cleaners. Ganz’s account reflects her household’s experience rather than a controlled assessment. The report also does not establish that the mixture will prevent irritation for people with eczema or sensitivities.
Surface compatibility depends on the material and its finish, and the article’s named cautions are not a full list of every surface that may react to vinegar. It does not offer guidance for every appliance, countertop or flooring product. Readers should follow care instructions for their surfaces and avoid assuming a homemade mixture is safe everywhere. The source also does not specify a tested shelf life for the unscented mixture.
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Check Labels Before Spraying
The article does not announce a follow-up test or new product; it presents the recipe as a household tip. Anyone trying it can start by reviewing manufacturer care guidance for the intended surface, especially for wood, stone and specialty finishes. Use a small, inconspicuous test area when appropriate, and do not mix the spray with other cleaning products.
For a scented batch, Apartment Therapy recommends making a fresh supply after about one month. The article suggests labeling the bottle and keeping it away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Further evidence about comparative cleaning results, long-term storage and suitability for sensitive users is not provided in the report.
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Key Questions
What is in the DIY cleaning spray?
The recipe calls for equal parts distilled water and distilled white vinegar. The article says boiled water can be used if distilled water is unavailable. Essential oils or other scent additions are optional.
Which surfaces does the article say to avoid?
It warns against using the spray on wood and natural stone, because vinegar’s acidity may etch or erode them. Check a surface’s care instructions before using the mixture.
How long can the spray be stored?
Apartment Therapy says a water-and-vinegar-only mixture can last indefinitely, while a batch with natural scent additions should be discarded after about a month. The report does not cite testing for those storage claims.
Does the article prove the spray works better than store-bought cleaners?
No. Ganz says she has used the recipe for years, but the account includes no independent performance testing or direct comparison with commercial products.
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