Try this diy citrus vinegar cleaner to keep your home sparkling and safe from unhealthy chemicals. Plus it smells pretty fantastic!
DIY citrus vinegar cleaner
I love citrus! We eat a lot of lemons and oranges around here; Ellie loves her daily fresh orange juice and hubby likes grapefruit, he says it cleans the liver. But I hate wasting the peel, especially since it smells so divine. I like to spread some citrus peel around the house so it smells so fresh and nice for a couple of days and at winter time I keep them on the stove. The peel warms up and spreads such an amazing smell around the house.
I lately started to use them in my homemade compost, together with egg shells, mowed grass and other fruit and veggies residues, so the peel is not completely wasted. But I still wanted to make something more out of it and I thought why not incorporate it in a DIY citrus vinegar cleaner that can double up as a hair rinse. What a brilliant idea, right? I, know, I’m a genius! (scoffs)
Start by saving all your lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit peel. Remove white pith as much as possible. Cut the peels into small pieces that would fit a mason jar or a milk bottle (I used a milk bottle because it’s pretty). Fill the entire jar/bottle with peel. Cover with vinegar and allow to sit for 10 to 14 days, in a cool, dry area, or until the vinegar has turned a dark orange. It should also smell citrusy
Remove peel, strain liquid through a sieve and dilute vinegar 1:1 with water. Pour into spray bottles.
This DIY citrus vinegar cleaner is perfect for cleaning mirrors, glass, counter tops, and moping floors when diluted with water. It’s very easy to make and although it has to sit for 10 to 14 days until the peel works its magic into the vinegar, it’s totally worth the wait.
DIY Citrus vinegar cleaner recipe
- Citrus peels (lemon, orange, grapefruit)
- White vinegar
- Glass jar
- Spray bottle
- Peel off citrus fruit
- Remove white pith as much as possible
- Cut peel and place in a glass jar. Be sure to fill the entire jar with peel.
- Cover with vinegar and allow to sit for 10 to 14 days, in a cool, dry area, or until the vinegar has turned a dark orange. It should also smell citrusy
- If it doesn't, you may need to let it sit longer and add more peel
- If you want to speed up the process, shake the jar every two days
- Remove peel, strain liquid through a sieve and dilute vinegar 1:1 with water
- Pour into spray bottle
- Use as a cleaner for windows, glass, counters, floors
- Bear in mind this will never entirely remove the vinegar smell but it will cover it up pretty nicely. I personally love the smell, fresh and citrusy!
- Always test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area when using for the first time, especially on wood
- For extra cleaning power, mix with baking soda and clean with the paste.
- For soap scum and grease use undiluted cleaner. You may need to add baking soda for resistant spots.
Thanks for yet another simple and practical solution to every day needs. We will be making and using this citrus and vinegar cleanser!
I love this idea!
Not only do I want to make this clean cleaner, I am going to borrow your tip of leaving citrus peels around the house – especially in my boys’ bedroom!
Aww, thanks so much. You just made my day 🙂
I’m moving towards natural cleaners also, thanks for this idea.
Hi Sandra. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment 🙂
this is such an awesome idea! thanks for sharing! pinned!
Thanks so much Tianna!
Lovely idea and it would smell wonderful!
I love this idea and thanks for the helpful step by step instructions. I bet this smells great!
Thanks so much for stopping by and your lovely comment. The cleaner does smell really nice indeed.
This is a great idea. You are my neighbor at Friendship Friday.
Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.
I love this! I clean with vinegar all the time, and love that you added the citrus scent. Thank you for stopping by Pin Worthy Wednesday!
How lovely! Thanks for stopping by and the comment. Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheap, easy, and effective? My favorite combo – can’t wait to give it a try!
Thanks Steph. Great to see you around here. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
I love this recipe! It’s exactly how I make my all purpose cleaner. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Leesha 🙂
Oh, I absolutely LOVE this idea! Most cleaners give me a terrible headache so this is something I would love to use while cleaning my home 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing with Roses of Inspiration – I hope you’re able to join us again sometime soon. Hugs!
Thanks so much Stephanie. Have a wonderful day!
Interesting! So simple and what a great way to avoid wasting the fruit peels! Thanks for linking with #allaboutyou
Thanks Caroline. Have a great day!
What a great recipe. I love using natural cleaners. We’re featuring this at our weekly link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2015/06/a-little-bird-told-me-weekly-link-party.html
Thanks so much Jennifer, I appreciate it.
Great idea, thanks for the recipe!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Hi Cindy. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!
We are so glad you shared with us at Merry Monday. We look forward to seeing your creativity again.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend!
Must try this out I love citrus smells – Thanks for linking up to Pin Worthy Wednesday, I have pinned your post to the Pin Worthy Wednesday Pinterest Board
Hi there and thanks so much for stopping by and pinning.
Lovely homemade cleaner, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning, tweeting. and sharing in google plus.
Thanks Swathi. Have a wonderful week!