Try this citrus cleaner for a sparkling home, safe from unhealthy chemicals! Perfect for cleaning mirrors, sinks, counter tops, moping floors and much more!
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, apparently it helps cleanse the liver. But I hate wasting the peel, especially since it smells so divine. So I thought I would put them to a good use and make a citrus cleaner!
Need more cleaner ideas?
- Natural all purpose cleaner
- Fruit fly repellent
- Lemon disinfectant for home
- Easy way to clean stove tops without scrubbing
- Grapefruit toilet cleaner
- How to clean a frying pan
Keep on track with a cleaning schedule! I made this easy peasy handy dandy printable cleaning schedule to help you make cleaning a lot more manageable!
There are so many other great uses for citrus peel, not only for making a citrus cleaner recipe! 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 veggie residue, so the peel is not completely wasted. But my favorite by far is this citrus cleaner that can double up as a hair rinse too. What a brilliant idea, right? I, know, I’m a genius! (scoffs)
This natural citrus cleaner is perfect for cleaning mirrors, glass, counter tops, kitchen and bathroom sinks, oven or for moping floors when diluted with water. For super dirty surfaces, don’t dilute, use your citrus cleaner concentrated.
Ready to learn how to make citrus cleaner? My cleaner is 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!
Citrus Cleaner
Ingredients:
- citrus peel (I used orange, lemon, grapefruit)
- white wine vinegar
- water
You will also need:
- sharp knife
- cutting board
- mason jars or milk bottles
- spray bottle
Directions:
- To make this citrus vinegar cleaner, start by saving all your lemon, 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 in vinegar
- Allow to sit for 10 to 14 days, in a cool, dry area, or until the vinegar has turned dark orange. It should also smell citrusy.
- And there you go, your citrus cleaner recipe is ready! To use it, you’ll have to remove peel, strain liquid through a sieve and dilute the citrus vinegar recipe 1:1 with water, for most times. Pour the final orange citrus cleaner into spray bottles. For super dirty areas, you will need to use the solution undiluted.
Notes:
- 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.
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More DIY household products home you might like:
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- How to clean a microwave
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- How to clean and disinfect sponges
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Petro
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4waystoyummy says
January 30, 2018 at 1:38 PMWhy not use it on a salad? I made it and it smells great and tastes great! Love the idea of adding a rosemary sprig next time!
Petro says
January 31, 2018 at 11:50 AMThat’s an interesting idea, indeed! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment!
swathi says
June 15, 2015 at 1:53 PMLovely homemade cleaner, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning, tweeting. and sharing in google plus.
Petro says
June 15, 2015 at 1:57 PMThanks Swathi. Have a wonderful week!
Amberjane says
June 14, 2015 at 1:22 PMMust 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
Petro says
June 14, 2015 at 5:16 PMHi there and thanks so much for stopping by and pinning.
swood97 says
June 13, 2015 at 1:25 PMWe are so glad you shared with us at Merry Monday. We look forward to seeing your creativity again.
Petro says
June 13, 2015 at 1:54 PMThanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your weekend!
Cindy says
June 13, 2015 at 8:02 AMGreat idea, thanks for the recipe!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Petro says
June 13, 2015 at 9:15 AMHi Cindy. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer Dawn says
June 10, 2015 at 12:15 PMWhat 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
Petro says
June 10, 2015 at 3:55 PMThanks so much Jennifer, I appreciate it.
Caroline (Becoming a SAHM) says
June 9, 2015 at 2:50 PMInteresting! So simple and what a great way to avoid wasting the fruit peels! Thanks for linking with #allaboutyou
Petro says
June 9, 2015 at 5:50 PMThanks Caroline. Have a great day!
Stephanie says
June 9, 2015 at 10:04 AMOh, 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!
Petro says
June 9, 2015 at 10:34 AMThanks so much Stephanie. Have a wonderful day!
Leesha says
June 9, 2015 at 9:12 AMI love this recipe! It’s exactly how I make my all purpose cleaner. Thanks for sharing!
Petro says
June 9, 2015 at 9:38 AMThanks Leesha 🙂
Steph says
June 8, 2015 at 9:04 AMCheap, easy, and effective? My favorite combo – can’t wait to give it a try!
Petro says
June 8, 2015 at 10:51 AMThanks Steph. Great to see you around here. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!
displacedyinzer says
June 5, 2015 at 7:17 PMI 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!
Petro says
June 6, 2015 at 2:46 AMHow lovely! Thanks for stopping by and the comment. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hazel Moon says
June 5, 2015 at 2:49 AMThis is a great idea. You are my neighbor at Friendship Friday.
Petro says
June 5, 2015 at 7:39 AMThanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.
cdtrimmer says
June 4, 2015 at 3:47 PMI love this idea and thanks for the helpful step by step instructions. I bet this smells great!
Petro says
June 4, 2015 at 3:49 PMThanks so much for stopping by and your lovely comment. The cleaner does smell really nice indeed.
Debbie says
June 4, 2015 at 12:56 PMLovely idea and it would smell wonderful!
Tianna says
June 4, 2015 at 11:09 AMthis is such an awesome idea! thanks for sharing! pinned!
Petro says
June 4, 2015 at 11:27 AMThanks so much Tianna!
Sandra L. Garth says
June 3, 2015 at 5:37 PMI’m moving towards natural cleaners also, thanks for this idea.
Petro says
June 4, 2015 at 6:32 AMHi Sandra. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment 🙂
sign4baby says
June 3, 2015 at 2:42 AMNot 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!
Petro says
June 3, 2015 at 12:31 PMAww, thanks so much. You just made my day 🙂
Adventures of a Cavemom says
June 2, 2015 at 2:13 PMI love this idea!
Dan from Platter Talk says
June 1, 2015 at 2:38 PMThanks for yet another simple and practical solution to every day needs. We will be making and using this citrus and vinegar cleanser!