'It's great for killing germs on surfaces' – I swapped my toxic disinfectant spray for a DIY vodka cleaner and couldn't believe the sparkling results

If you're striving to clean green, have you considered a DIY vodka-based cleaning spray? This familiar household spirit is useful for far more than making cocktails, and cleaning experts agree.

I made a DIY spray to easily clean with vodka at home and was massively impressed by the results it brought. Here's how you can make your own and why it works so well for disinfecting.

I swapped my disinfectant for a DIY vodka cleaner

As using toxic disinfectants is one of the bad housekeeping habits I'm breaking up with (or trying to) this year, I've been on the hunt for non-toxic cleaning supplies and cleaning tips.

I'm now a staunch lover of the Method All-Purpose Cleaner in Pink Grapefruit, available at Walmart, and the MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner in Lavender, available at Amazon, but recently I decided to level things up and try making my own DIY cleaning solution. That's where the vodka comes in.

If you're unconvinced, rest assured that Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, is. She explains, 'Vodka is naturally antimicrobial thanks to its alcohol content, making it great for killing germs on surfaces. Its quick evaporation rate also means it dries fast without streaks.

'Additionally, unlike vinegar-based cleaners, vodka has a neutral smell that fades as it dries, so you won’t be left with any strong cleaning odors.

'It’s also gentle enough for many delicate surfaces that harsher cleaners might damage, plus, because you can mix it with other natural ingredients like lemon or essential oils, you can customize it for specific cleaning needs.'

So, if you'd like to try cleaning with vodka, here's how.

How to make a DIY vodka cleaner

As Karina says, there's no one 'right' recipe for making a vodka cleaning spray, but there are a few tried-and-true mixtures, depending on what you're cleaning.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you'll want to use plain and unfiltered vodka (bottom-shelf works fine) with at least a 40% alcohol content for a natural cleaner that disinfects common bacteria and viruses, and for the best results.

The easiest recipe is for a basic, all-purpose spray, which is what I opted for.

Simply mix vodka and distilled water, such as the Amazon Grocery Distilled Water available at Amazon in a 1:1 ratio in a spray bottle. I recommend the Zep Professional Plastic Spray Bottle available at Walmart for this, as it features clear measurement marks for accurate mixing.

This spray is ideal for cleaning the kitchen naturally and removing common stains from kitchen countertops, cleaning the bathroom, and dealing with high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs and light switches.

'The vodka disinfects and deodorizes, while the water stretches the solution for everyday cleaning without compromising the solution’s efficacy,' explains Karina. 'Store in a spray bottle and shake before each use.'

For a fresh scent cleaner, you can also try cleaning with lemon juice. Using the same ratio of vodka to distilled water, add the juice of one lemon, or 1-15 drops of lemon essential oil, available at Amazon, and use this cleaner on kitchen counters, dining tables, or for cleaning the refrigerator.

'Lemon adds a fresh scent and mild grease-cutting power alongside vodka’s disinfecting effect,' advises Karina. 'Strain out lemon pulp to prevent spray nozzle clogs.

'Also, if you have pets, practice caution! Citrus oils can be irritating to cats and dogs if ingested or if they walk on freshly sprayed surfaces. Let the area dry completely before allowing pets access,' keeping in mind the cleaning products to avoid with pets.

For cleaning glass and mirrors without streaks, use a higher vodka concentration (two parts vodka to one part water) adds Karina, as the higher concentration will evaporate faster, leaving a streak-free finish, and wipe with a microfiber cloth, such as the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Household Cleaning Cloth available at Walmart.

You can even clean upholstery and remove odors from upholstery with vodka, too, by mixing one part vodka to three parts water, and using on curtains, pet bedding, gym bags and more.

'Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria and evaporates without leaving a scent,' Karina shares. 'Simply lightly mist – don't soak – fabrics and let air-dry.'

My verdict on using a DIY vodka cleaning spray

I was genuinely really impressed with the results of my basic DIY vodka cleaner. So much so that I can't wait to try other variations. And if you're worried about your home smelling of vodka, don't worry, the smell dissipates even quicker than when cleaning with vinegar.

I used my DIY vodka spray solution for cleaning surfaces in both my kitchen and bathroom, and found this simple disinfectant worked just as well as those that I regularly buy from the shop, if not better. My countertops, sinks, and even my bathtub were all left sparkling, and I love the way one recipe doubles up as a homemade kitchen cleaner and non-toxic bathroom cleaner.

My only word of advice would be to keep in mind the dry/damp cleaning rule – at first, I didn't and ended up just smudging the dust and grime around on the surfaces, which was then far more tricky to remove when wet. A quick run around with the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster available at Amazon should avoid any mishaps.

Finally, while this DIY vodka cleaner may not smell as good as scented cleaners, with pets, I often worry about using strongly smelling products anyway. Therefore, this is the perfect alternative if you're trying to keep a clean home when you have pets, or just find yourself more sensitive to artificial scents.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

FAQs

What's the most powerful natural disinfectant?

While a DIY vodka cleaner works well, it's cleaning with hydrogen peroxide that comes out on top in terms of efficacy. It works when tackling harmful bacteria, viruses, and antigens, and can be used for a wide range of disinfecting jobs.

Meet our expert

Karina Toner

With numerous contributions in Homes & Gardens, Real Homes, The Spruce, and many more, Karina has extensive knowledge of both commercial and residential cleaning, which means she's a certified expert when it comes to which cleaning solutions really work.

Another brilliant multi-tasking natural solution to try around the house is cleaning with baking soda, which is also one of nature's best deodorizers.