Turn Your Christmas Tree Into A Fresh-Smelling Cleaning Solution After The Holidays With This Simple DIY

After the holiday season has ended, many people simply throw out their real Christmas trees, but this can be wasteful. Instead, some of the needles can be used to help you maintain a naturally-clean home that always smells fresh. A video posted by @creative_explained on Instagram shows how to DIY a basic cleaning solution using only cuttings from a pine tree and white vinegar. This hack might sound too good to be true, but it turns out that pine needles have antimicrobial properties, while vinegar functions as a mild disinfectant because it contains acetic acid.

A 2021 study originally published by Frontiers in Microbiology discovered that pine needles can kill several dangerous types of bacteria including S. aureus. Therefore, this mixture could help keep you and your family from getting sick. By soaking some leftover needles from your Christmas tree in vinegar, you can create a natural, pine-scented cleaner that can be used in various areas around your home including in the kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces. Since this hack likely won't require all of the needles, you may want to consider recycling your Christmas tree with a local tree recycling program once you've made the cleaning solution.

When it's time to take your tree down after the holidays are over, trim off several of the branches, making sure to choose ones that still have plenty of pine needles and haven't lost their scent. It's better to trim them directly from the tree instead of gathering fallen needles from the ground, as they'll have a stronger fragrance. With a knife, roughly chop the branches before stuffing the pine needles inside your container. It's crucial to use a container that's air-tight, such as a mason jar, to allow the pine to steep into the vinegar. Once your jar is as full as it can be with your tree cuttings, carefully pour white vinegar over the needles until your jar is completely full and close the lid.

Now, your solution will need to sit in the container for a minimum of three weeks or up to six weeks. Though you may be excited to use your natural cleaner as soon as possible, the longer you wait, the stronger the final product will be. When you're ready to use your cleaning solution, strain the dark-colored liquid into a spray bottle and discard the branches and needles into the trash.

Because this cleaning solution is made out of vinegar, it's best not to use it on waxed wood or natural stone surfaces, as it may damage them. Otherwise, your pine-vinegar solution is effective for many other cleaning projects in the home. You can use it as is or dilute it with water, depending on how strong you need it to be and what you're using it on.

If you don't want to add water to your cleaner, use it to disinfect your countertops, mop your floors, or clean your mirrors. When used in the kitchen, your pine and vinegar cleaner can get rid of grease and is safe to use on stainless steel appliances. This solution is also great for cleaning your toilet, shower, and sink, and is capable of getting rid of hard water stains. If you're looking for a way to clean your windows without streaks, combine one part of your DIY cleaner with one part water. Rather than letting your tree go to waste after the holiday season, this hack allows you to repurpose your Christmas tree for a cleaner home.