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
fill a jar with the peels or herbs, top with vinegar, and leave in a dark closet - when you can remember shake the jar.
After 2-4 weeks you can strain the vinegar.
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
Fill a jar with herbs - I used rosemary, and olive leaf (you can omit this!)
Fill the jar with Apple Cider Vinegar
Place a cheese cloth between the jar and the lid to prevent rusting
Shake and store in a dark cabinet. Shake it when you remember
After 2-4 weeks strain it and put ACV infusion back into a jar
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.