The Cleaning Solution with a Historic Secret
At Colonial Gardens Bed & Breakfast, we’re serious about clean rooms. We recently uncovered an 18th-century cleaning recipe that was so familiar, we had to share its surprising history.
Cleaning with vinegar is a popular modern trend, praised for its non-toxic and cost-effective nature. But this isn’t a new idea. In Colonial Williamsburg, housekeepers used infused vinegar solutions to keep homes spotless. They would layer herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary in bottles, cover them with apple cider vinegar, and let them sit for six months to create a pleasant, herbal-scented cleaner.
The history of vinegar as a disinfectant is even older. During the Bubonic Plague in France, a legendary concoction called “Four-Thieves Vinegar” was believed to have protected grave robbers from contracting the disease. Given that vinegar effectively kills many bacteria and viruses, this legend likely has some truth to it.
Inspired by this timeless tradition, we’ve developed our own modern version of the Colonial recipe.
Modern Herbal-Infused Vinegar Cleaner
Ingredients:
Distilled white vinegar
Vodka
Herbs (sage, rosemary, or thyme)
Glass container and spray bottle
Essential oils (optional)
Instructions:
Fill a glass container with herbs.
Combine equal parts vinegar and vodka, then pour over the herbs until they are submerged.
Add essential oils if desired, then shake to combine.
Allow the mixture to infuse for two weeks.
Strain out the herbs and transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
With this simple recipe, you can clean your home with a solution that’s been trusted for centuries.
Ready for a getaway? If you’re tired of cleaning and need a place to relax, let us take care of you. We’ll do all the cleaning so you can enjoy your stay at Colonial Gardens Bed and Breakfast. Book & check our availability here.