This DIY all-purpose natural citrus cleaner needs just two ingredients and a little bit of time. Its easy to make and can be used all around the home!
Why make your own cleaner?
If you look at any cleaner at your local store they contain a whole lot of chemicals and ingredients that we have never heard of. Many of them toxic and harmful to you and the environment around you.
Making your own cleaners using natural ingredients are far healthier for you, and can actually carry health benefits!
Natural homemade cleaners are also often much cheaper and just as effective, if not better!
Benefits of a vinegar citrus cleaner
- 100% natural (safe for kids and non-toxic)
- Cleaner and disinfectant
- Slightly acidic which kills mold, bacteria and germs.
- With a citrus cleaner you get the benefits of vinegar without the strong vinegar smell.
- Multi-purpose, can be used for a variety of different things.
What is a vinegar citrus cleaner?
A basic vinegar citrus cleaner is composed of two ingredients. Vinegar and citrus fruit peels.
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, and lemons all contain d-limonene in their skin, a natural solvent/chemical found in the oil of the skin. It works well as a degreaser and has a natural deodorising scent to leave your home smelling fresh.
Vinegar is mildly acidic which kills mold, bacteria, and germs.
Combined they make a powerful natural cleaner and deodoriser to freshen your home.
How to make a natural citrus cleaner
- Collect citrus peels. You can use a combination of different citrus fruits or just keep it simple and stick to one. You can also store the citrus peels for up to a few days in the fridge until you have gathered enough. Be sure that you only have the peel, you don’t want any of the fruit mixed in because their sugars may make your solution a bit sticky.
- Fill a clean glass jar that can be sealed with your citrus peels. Mason or Weck jars work great.
- Pour distilled vinegar into the jar until all of the peels are submerged. It’s very important that the peels are fully submerged. The vinegar preserves the peels to keep them from going bad, but if any are not in the vinegar solution they can quickly become rotten!
- Place the lid on your jar making sure its fully sealed.
- Store out of direct sunlight at room temperature for 1-2 weeks. The longer you store it for, the more potent it will get. I personally like to store my for the full two weeks.
- After a week your citrus cleaner should have a nice citrus scent and the colour of your vinegar has turned a light orange (this will of course depend on what citrus fruit you ended up using).
- Simply strain your citrus vinegar to remove any small bits of peal and dilute it 50/50 with water in your spray bottle.
Your new DIY citrus cleaner is now ready to use!
Favorite uses for my citrus cleaner
I love this cleaner because it is so versatile! I use it on:
- stainless steel surfaces
- fridge
- counter-tops
- bathroom
- floors
- greasy kitchen stains
- pretty much anywhere!
Where to NOT use your cleaner
Because of the acidity content in vinegar it is not good to use this cleaner on:
- natural stone counter-tops
- Stone-floor tiles
- Hardwood floors
Enjoy using your DIY all-purpose natural citrus cleaner to freshen and sanitise all over your home!
