One of the most exciting parts of plant based eating to me is the creative aspect of it.

I love that cashews can be turned into “milk”, yogurt, cheese, or granola.

Or how watermelon skin can be pickled and added to a veggie burger as a slaw. The opportunities to utilize what I have in my kitchen for a multitude of purposes not only helps fuel that creative energy, but also helps to keep my kitchen relatively low waste.

One thing I was really excited to try doing was vinegar infusions for cleaning and beauty.

I’ll walk you through a few of the versions I made with some instructions and my experience using them.

Vinegar Infusions for Cleaning

I made a few jars of vinegar infusions on one day. The first jar I made with distilled white vinegar and lemon peels. The second was pine needs and lemon, and finally orange peels.

To Make

1. fill a jar with the peels or herbs, top with vinegar, and leave in a dark closet - when you can remember shake the jar.

2. After 2-4 weeks you can strain the vinegar.

3. When you are ready to make a solution, mix equal parts with distilled or boiled and cooled water with the vinegar solution.

Some Notes :

• make sure you are using just the peels, the fruit or pulp will cause the vinegar to turn brown

• do not use vinegar on marble or granite surfaces because it will break it down

My Experience

I would recommend letting the vinegar sit for longer than 2 weeks. I love the lemon vinegar the most. It has cleaned sticky messes without hard scrubbing, and left my bathroom super shiny! I highly recommend it! I also started new batches when I strained out my old so I would never be without it!

Vinegar Infusions for Hair

My best friend has been recommending Apple Cider Vinegar washes to me since my “no-poo” days so I thought now I would give it a try.

To Make

1. Fill a jar with herbs - I used rosemary, and olive leaf (you can omit this!)

2. Fill the jar with Apple Cider Vinegar

3. Place a cheese cloth between the jar and the lid to prevent rusting

4. Shake and store in a dark cabinet. Shake it when you remember

5. After 2-4 weeks strain it and put ACV infusion back into a jar

6. When you are ready to use mix 1 part ACV with 1 part water

Some Notes :

• this particular infusion cannot sit with water or mold will grow. Make individual batches right before you use it.

• rosemary is really great for your scalp, and helping to strengthen your hair.

• you can add a drop of tea tree oil to the infusion when you are using to help with scalp buildup and clarifying

• you can leave it in your hair or you can rinse out

My Experience

My hair is so smooth when I use this ! I am obsessed with it! My hair does usually smell like ACV for at least 12 hours, but you could mask with an essential oil spray if it bothers you a lot.