Learn how to make citrus cleaner with lemon or orange peels. You can use this natural cleaning recipe to clean several areas of your home, and the citrus peels give the vinegar a cleaning boost to cut through grease and grime.

DIY Citrus Cleaner

I've been using natural cleaners for almost 20 years now. When my oldest was little, I didn't want him exposed to chemicals on surfaces or in the air.

I started with basic vinegar and baking soda based cleaners, but I've adapted my recipes over the years.

Several years ago, I started making a lemon peel vinegar cleaner. Now I use oranges and lemons to make a citrus vinegar recipe.

For more natural cleaning recipes, check out these posts:

Want to learn how to make your own natural cleaners? My Natural Cleaners ebook has 12 easy recipes to make at home plus printable labels.

What Is Citrus Cleaner Made Of?

This lemon peel vinegar cleaner recipe only has three ingredients:vinegar, orange peels, and lemon peels.

The vinegar does the brunt of the work when cleaning while the citrus peels contribute to the acidity of the mixture.

Further, the citrus peels help to mask the vinegar smell and leave your home smelling fresh, clean, and pleasant.

Which Vinegar Is Best For A Citrus Vinegar Recipe?

You will want to use a cleaning vinegar as opposed to regular white vinegar when learning how to make citrus spray.

The reason for this is that cleaning vinegar is higher in acidity than is white vinegar. This means that cleaning vinegar is tougher on stains and grime!

However, you can use white distilled vinegar. It will still work, but cleaning vinegar is about 20 percent more acidic for cleaning.

How Long To Soak Lemon Peels In Vinegar?

When making this orange peel cleaner diy recipe, you will want to let the lemon peels soak in the vinegar for several weeks. I recommend storing the container in a cool and dry place, such as under your sink, so it does not spill or get ruined.

What Should You Not Use Lemon Peel Vinegar Cleaner For?

There are a few places that I recommend you avoid cleaning with this homemade cleaner. Following is a quick list of places that you should avoid using this cleaner on.

Marble
Granite
Natural Stone
Hardwood Floors
Electronic Screens

Do You Have To Rinse After Cleaning With Vinegar?

Typically no, you do not have to rinse after cleaning with vinegar or this homemade citrus cleaner.

However, if there is a lot of dirt and grime buildup you may want to use water to wipe away any leftover residue that might be on the surface.

What Fruits Can I Use For A Homemade Citrus Cleaner?

When learning how to make citrus spray. I recommend only using citrus fruits, especially those higher in acidity. For instance, lemons and oranges work great in this homemade citrus cleaner recipe.

These fruits are more potent in smell and acidity. This means they will work harder when cleaning and leave behind a fresh, pleasant aroma that will help leave your home smelling better.

How Long Does Homemade Citrus Cleaner Last?

Depending on the ingredients used, this homemade citrus cleaner should last anywhere from one to three months.

This means that, as you use one cleaner, you can have another jar of cleaner stored under the sink with the fruits soaking in vinegar.

Then, you can rotate your lemon peel vinegar cleaner so you always have fresh, ready to use cleaner on hand!

How to Use DIY Citrus Cleaner

There are all sorts of ways that you can use this DIY citrus cleaner. Following is a quick list of some of my favorite ways to use this cleaner recipe:

Garbage Disposal: You can mix the concentrate, leftover lemon and orange peels, and a bit of water to make a great disposal cleaner. Mix them all together and run the mixture through the garbage disposal. You can also freeze the mix in an ice cube tray to use it later.

Rinse Aid: You can use this diy citrus cleaner inside your dishwasher for a powerful rinse aid or use it as a dishwasher cleaner. Using the cleaner as a rinse aid will leave your dishes clean and sparkling once the cycle is done. To use the cleaner as a dishwasher cleaner, put one cup of orange citrus cleaner into the dishwasher while it is empty and run its cleaning mode.

Fabric Softener: To use the cleaner as a fabric softener, add one cup of it to the wash cycle. Many recommend adding it in during the rinse cycle. You should only use it for white clothing as it could lighten colored clothing if used improperly. This cleaner works great as a fabric softening bleach alternative!

Laundry Cleaner: To use the diy citrus cleaner as a laundry cleaner, simply add a few cups of concentrate to the washer and set the water to hot. Let the washer fill up with water and then pause the machine. Let the machine sit with the cleaner for a few hours and then drain it.

Glass Cleaner: To use the cleaner to clean glass, mix it in a one to one water ration and then spray it onto your glass surfaces. I recommend using a microfiber towel to wipe it down to avoid streaking on the glass.

Bathroom Cleaner: This cleaner is super easy to use in the bathroom. Simply spray it in the shower and/or bathtub and let it sit. After a while rinse the cleaner off and scrub the surface clean.

You'll use this DIY citrus cleaner in place of vinegar in other recipes. To make an all purpose cleaner, dilute the citrus vinegar 1 to 1 with water.

DIY Citrus Cleaner Ingredients

You will need the following to make a DIY citrus cleaner:

Water
4 cups of cleaning vinegar
Glass Jar
Glass Spray Bottle
Orange & Lemon Peels

How Do You Make Citrus Cleaning Vinegar?

Step One

To start, cut your citrus peels into small pieces.

Step Two

Then, put the citrus peels into a glass jar of you choosing. Pour your vinegar into the jar covering all of the peels. Seal the jar.

Step Three

Store the mixture in a cool, dark, and dry place for several weeks, such as under the sink.

Step Four

After a few weeks, strain the peels out of the vinegar. This step is what actually makes the homemade citrus spray concentrate.

Step Five

Finally, fill a spray bottle half full with the homemade citrus cleaner and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Shake vigorously for a few seconds and it will be ready for you to use!

Tips for Making Homemade Citrus Spray

For a nicer smell, consider adding essential oils to the homemade citrus spray. You can also use essential oils to boost cleaning powder. Typically, I recommend adding anywhere from 15 to 30 drops of your preferred essential oil depending on how potent you want the cleaner to be. You can use essential oils such as peppermint, orange, lavender, rosemary, lemon, and tea tree.
If you want, you can add in either cinnamon or cloves to boost the smell and cleaning power of this orange peel cleaner diy recipe.
I recommend avoiding using the homemade citrus spray on marble, granite, or natural stone. Further, hardwood floors and electronic screens are not great places for this orange peel cleaner diy recipe. I recommend researching the surfaces in your home and only using this cleaner where you are comfortable using it on.
I like to save my lemon peels after making a strawberry lemonade concentrate canning recipe.
Only use glass jars for making citrus vinegar and use a glass spray bottle. The acid in vinegar can eat holes in plastic. Over time, your bottle may leak.
You can also make a pine needle vinegar cleaner that has an amazing pine scent.

I hope you love this lemon peel vinegar cleaner as much as I do!

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citrus cleaner, lemon peel cleaner, orange cleaner, citrus vinegar, lemon vinegar, orange vinegar

Yield: 4 cups

Author: Cari @ Homesteading in Ohio

Estimated cost: $5

Homemade Citrus Vinegar Cleaner

How to make a citrus vinegar cleaner with lemon or orange peels.

materials:

Water
4 cups cleaning vinegar
Lemons and oranges
Glass jar
Glass spray bottle

tools:

Funnel

steps:

Cut the citrus peels into small pieces.
Please the citrus peels into a glass jar. Pour vinegar over the peels to fill the jar. Seal the jar. Let sit for several weeks in a cool dark location.
Strain out the citrus peels and discard. Save the infused vinegar.
In a glass spray bottle, combine 1 part water and 1 part citrus vinegar. Use as an all purpose cleaner in your home.

https://www.homesteadinginohio.com/2023/04/how-to-make-homemade-citrus-cleaner.html

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How to Make Homemade Citrus Cleaner