Homemade Citrus Cleaner
Homemade Citrus Cleaner
I can’t for the life of me remember where I first came across this idea, but it’s sprinkled all over the Internet. It was so easy and works great! And, it’s way cheaper and less toxic than “regular” cleaners.
Here’s what you need:
Peels from 3-5 oranges or 6-8 mandarins (I had the kids peel mandarins and told them they could eat whatever they peeled)
A quart of distilled white vinegar
A quart-size mason jar w/lid
Empty spray bottle
Here’s what to do:
Fill the mason jar with the orange peels.
Pour in enough vinegar to fill the jar to the top:
Put lid on tightly and let sit for 10 days.
After 10 days, strain out peels:
Pour into an empty spray bottle, and use to clean your counters, bathrooms, floors, or pretty much anything you like!
The cleaner itself still had a vinegar scent to it, but once I sprayed it onto the counter and wiped it with a towel, the smell completely disappeared!
Note: After about a month, I noticed the vinegar smell getting stronger, so you may want to use it up before that time.
homemade citrus cleaner, homemade citrus cleaner, homemade citrus cleaner, homemade citrus cleaner, homemade citrus cleaner homemade citrus cleaner homemade citrus cleaner homemade citrus cleaner homemade citrus cleaner
Homemade citrus cleaner is healthier to use, less toxic, and easy to make! Even the kids like using it. Be careful, however, as it eventually will go bad and start to smell like vinegar!
33 Comments
Fresh Fruit Creamsicle Cups
March 23, 2012[...] Homemade Citrus Cleaner [...]
Marla
March 23, 2012Hi! Can’t wait to try this~do you think it would work as well using lemons? I have more lemons than I know what to do with! Thanks
radlandon
March 23, 2012I think lemons would work great!
Marla
March 23, 2012Thanks! I’m going to make a batch this weekend!
Tawni
March 23, 2012Does the vinegar work as a good disinfectant? Is it as effective as a store bought cleaner?
radlandon
March 23, 2012Here’s an article about it! http://www.care2.com/greenliving/vinegar-kills-bacteria-mold-germs.html
nora
March 25, 2012I’m sure it taste good on salad too…
Kelsea
April 1, 2012Would any jar work or does it have to be a mason jar?
radlandon
April 2, 2012Any jar with a tight-fitting lid should work!
candice
April 1, 2012I’m trying this cool concoction but adding Ugli fruit and grapefruit peels to the mix and for the smell I put a pomegranate and cranberry tea bag in it for about a half hour. Sounds weird but I will try to post the results after ten days.
Monica
April 3, 2012It’s been a while since I have cleaned exclusively with vinegar…thank you for the reminder! The tad of citrus oil is a nice addition! I always forget how nice natural cleansers are for your hands. Just wiped up my whole kitchen and my hands are smooth and not begging for lotion as they would be with a “modern” cleaner.
elizabeth
April 8, 2012Is this safe to put on any type of wood counter tops?
radlandon
April 9, 2012I have used it on our two wood tables and it’s worked great, however I would suggest trying it on a little spot and making sure it’s ok for you first.
Amber
May 9, 2012How long does this last in the jar? Also, is this safe to use around pets?
radlandon
May 9, 2012Mine’s lasted a solid month and still works great! I would assume if vinegar is safe around pets, this would be as well. Although I haven’t done any research on it. You could probably Google “vinegar cleaner and pets” and see?
Maryellen
June 3, 2012I hate to be a complainer, but I mixed up a batch of the citrus cleaner and cleaned my ceramic floors. They looked great. Nice and shinny. Almost looked brand new. The next day it rained and my husband and I arrived home about the same time. We both came through the garage into the kitchen. As we were tromping around the kitchen, I looked at him and said, “what do you got sticky on your shoes that you’re getting all over the floors” He said, “I was about to ask you the same thing”. The floors were very sticky and a mess. It took a lot of rincing to get all the sticky off.
radlandon
June 3, 2012Sorry it didn’t work on the floor–I haven’t personally tried it on any floors, but have used it on our kitchen table and counters, and it’s worked great for that!
Nancy
June 4, 2012Simple: You say it was raining, what happened is this- the water/rain did not mix well with the oil from the oramge peels – in fact – oil & water never mix. So the solution is to either “rinse” the floor or just use plain vinegar.
Simple.
Nickels
June 3, 2012I was wondering how long this lasted once it was transferred into a spray bottle. How quickly do you have to use it?
radlandon
June 3, 2012Mine has been in the cupboard for over a month, and I’ve still used it!
SUE CHILDS
June 5, 2012@ Nickels, Not being a smarty bum or anything but about the length of time the citrus cleaner would last would depends on how much you make (bulk) how much cleaning you have and how much cleaning you do
molly
June 3, 2012about pets…..yes it is safe around pets…however most animals, especially cats hate citrus scents, i have a male who sprayed whenever i used citrus cleaners or air freshner, however the spraying stopped once i got him neutered.
Judith
June 4, 2012I use distilled vinegar as a rinse in my laundry every time and my cloths come out great. I will try this.
Judith
June 4, 2012I will keep up on your site. Thank you.
Bonnie Dillabough
June 4, 2012this is a great tip! I would like to share this recipe on my site as an article. Of course I will give full credit and add a link to your page. Please let me know if I have permission. My site is The Prepper’s Guide . Thank you.
radlandon
June 4, 2012Sounds great to me!
Liz
June 5, 2012Does anyone know if this would work with rubbing alcohol instead of vinegar? I don’t use vinegar on my granite counter tops because the acidity eats away at natural stone (whereas rubbing alcohol is ph neutral and so is safe).
Courtney
August 23, 2012Granite is a hard igneous rock that would take ALOT of scrubbing, thousands of years of it, for it to be totally eaten away by vinegar. In our life time, the vinegar wouldn’t put a dent in it. I doubt it would harm your counters. If it does, then it’s probably not true granite. The only thing I’d worry about with any rock material used for counter tops would be marble, but only if you had any hydrochloric acid around.
As shown on this website: http://www.kascostone.com/granitecare.html
Only marble, limestone and black absolute granite are susceptible to acid etching, or eating. But it does say that regular household cleaners can take away the seal, but that diluted vinegar wouldn’t hurt it. So just add a little water to dilute this mixture and you should be fine.
Nancy Cole
June 17, 2012Just got this on facebook, very useful and has anyone ever searched VINEGAR? http://www.everydayhealth/vinegar
Sometimes we have to realize old remedies, cleaners and such are more useful and less intrusive in our lives…also cheaper. check it out.
Do It Yourself: Household Cleaner | Living Rich With CouponsLiving Rich With Coupons
September 8, 2012[...] Photo and Directions adapted from Clean Eats the Zoo! [...]
Going Green On a Budget!
November 30, 2012[...] it yourself! Sadie from Slap Dash Mom has created her own homemade laundry detergent. Or try this homemade citrus cleaner. Not wanting to make your cleaning products yourself? Just look at your options the next time you [...]
Homemade Citrus Cleaner « Summer Hibiscus
December 10, 2012[...] cleaneatsinthezoo.com via SummerHibiscus on [...]
Julia
January 22, 2013Thinking I will put orange peels in a cheesecloth and put into spray bottle. To hold the vinegar smell at bay. If I don’t seem to be using it fast enough. Just a thought.