One of my favorite things about winter is the scent of fresh pine. A few years ago, I started making my own DIY pine cleaner to avoid harsh chemicals. Now it’s a staple in my cleaning routine!

This homemade pine infused cleaner uses just a few simple ingredients and is gentle enough for tile floors and many other areas of your home, while still packing the power of vinegar and herbs.

I wanted to share my recipe with you so you can enjoy all the benefits of this DIY pine sol.

Benefits of the Ingredients

This isn’t just about the smell (though that’s a big perk!). Each ingredient in this cleaner has a helpful role to play.

While it is a pine cleaner recipe, I love using as many herbs as possible, so here are all the ones I used in this recipe:

Pine: Naturally antimicrobial and refreshing, pine needles help cleanse and deodorize. The scent is grounding and clean without being overpowering.
Thyme: One of the strongest natural antimicrobial herbs, thyme has long been used in herbal medicine and traditional cleaning. It adds an extra boost of bacteria-fighting power to your homemade cleaner.
Lemon Peels: Lemon brings a bright, uplifting scent, and the citrus oils in the peel help cut through grime and grease. I usually always add lemon peels or orange peels to my vinegar, it’s so easy and powerful!
Vinegar: A staple in DIY cleaning for a reason, distilled white vinegar breaks down residue, disinfects surfaces, and balances odors.

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DIY Pine Cleaner Recipe

Here is my DIY pine cleaner recipe! It will make one 16 ounce spray bottle:

Supplies

Glass Spray Bottle
Pine Needles
Thyme
Lemon Peels
Distilled Vinegar

Instructions

Add some dried thyme, pine branches, and lemon peels to a glass jar.

Fill the mason jar with vinegar. Put the lid on the mason jar and let it sit at least a week or longer. This will infuse the vinegar with the pine, thyme and lemon.

The infused vinegar is a concentrated base. When you’re ready to transfer it into a spray bottle, don’t use the full strength. Here’s what I recommend:

Mix 1 part infused vinegar to 1 part water. For a 16-ounce spray bottle, that’s:
- 1 cup (8 ounces) of your infused vinegar
- 1 cup (8 ounces) of water

This ratio keeps the cleaner effective while softening the scent and acidity just enough for regular use. If you want a slightly stronger cleaner (say, for the bathroom), you can do 2 parts vinegar to 1 part water.

To Use: Spray directly onto tile floors, kitchen counters, or bathroom surfaces (test first if unsure). Wipe clean with a damp cloth or mop.

Notes

I prefer to infuse it for a few weeks instead of just one week.
While this cleaner is gentle, it’s best not to use vinegar-based recipes on granite, marble, or other natural stone surfaces as the acid can cause damage.
You can add some essential oils to the cleaner if you want!

Ways to Use This Pine Cleaner

This pine-infused cleaner is incredibly versatile. While it’s gentle enough for everyday use, it still has powerful cleansing properties thanks to the vinegar and herbs.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:

Tile Floors: I lightly spray it onto the tile and use a microfiber mop or cloth to wipe clean.
Kitchen Counters: Especially after making a mess with flour or oils, this cleaner cuts through residue easily. Always test a small spot first, especially if your counters are sealed or painted.
Bathroom Surfaces: Spray onto sinks, tubs, or the toilet seat, let sit for a minute, then wipe clean. The thyme and lemon make it feel extra fresh.
Trash Cans: I like to spray the inside and outside of the trash can every week when I change the liner. It helps with odor and keeps it from feeling grimy.
Doorknobs and Light Switches: These high-touch areas benefit from regular wiping, and this cleaner makes it easy to keep them fresh.

As a gentle reminder, avoid using this cleaner on marble, granite, or other natural stones since the vinegar can etch the surface.

close up view of the jar of pine infused cleaner

Pine Cleaner

Yield: 16 ounce bottle

Materials

Glass Spray Bottle
Pine Needles
Thyme
Lemon Peels
Distilled Vinegar

Instructions

Add some dried thyme, pine branches, and lemon peels to a glass jar.
Fill the mason jar with vinegar. Put the lid on the mason jar and let it sit at least a week or longer. This will infuse the vinegar with the pine, thyme and lemon.
The infused vinegar is a concentrated base. When you're ready to transfer it into a spray bottle, don’t use the full strength. Here’s what I recommend: Mix 1 part infused vinegar to 1 part water. For a 16-ounce spray bottle, that’s: 1 cup (8 ounces) of your infused vinegar, 1 cup (8 ounces) of water
To Use: Spray directly onto tile floors, kitchen counters, or bathroom surfaces (test first if unsure). Wipe clean with a damp cloth or mop.

Notes

I prefer to infuse it for a few weeks instead of just one week.
While this cleaner is gentle, it’s best not to use vinegar-based recipes on granite, marble, or other natural stone surfaces as the acid can cause damage.
You can add some essential oils to the cleaner if you want!

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own herbal cleaner, especially one that works and smells less like vinegar!

This pine and lemon blend has become part of my seasonal rhythm, and I love knowing that I’m caring for my home with ingredients that are safe and simple.

If you’re new to DIY home products, this is a perfect place to start. And if you’re craving more, be sure to check out the DIY Natural Cleaners Recipe eBook, where I share more ways to clean your home safely, naturally, and affordably.

Let me know if you try this pine cleaner, I’d love to hear how it works for you!