Make an All  Natural Citrus Cleaner 

Behold the cleaning power of citrus! Have you have discovered this natural treasure trove to chemical-free cleaning? If not, you are missing out my friends!

Chemicals can clean great but they can also cause serious health issues. Companies like Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer’s have built a reputation on reducing chemicals used in their cleaning products. Both companies are well known for providing all natural, earth friendly products that are safe to use throughout your home.

But why buy when you can make your own? And for next to nothing!

All hail the natural citrus cleaner! 

Surprise…it’s also a multitasker!

You’ve probably heard about how great white vinegar is as a natural cleaner. But when you combine it with the power of citrus, it’s even better! Here is what makes this natural citrus cleaner so great:

• Citrus (lemons, limes or oranges)  are high in citric acid and low in pH. That makes them great antibacterials. Combined with vinegar, they can kill most germs and bacteria that cause illness.
• Citrus combined with vinegar can cut right through oil and grease with ease. That makes them handy to have in the kitchen.
• They don’t damage surfaces like other cleaners do.
• Not only do they help eliminate odor, they can keep your home smelling clean for longer. That makes them handy to have in the bathroom.
• They don’t just clean…they help reduce mold and mildew and the ugly stains that go with them.
• They cut through soap scum and are great for removing hard water stains.

And they do all of these things without the use of chemicals. Wow!

A word about vinegar:

Due to its acidity, white vinegar is a great natural cleaner all by itself. It’s a powerhouse at killing germs and bacteria. My personal opinion is that if you want something stronger than vinegar, you have to buy a chemical-filled product. The downside is that you can’t use straight vinegar on certain surfaces. And in the case of certain wood flooring, natural stone and marble, you shouldn’t use vinegar at all!

Also, there is that strong vinegar smell that few people enjoy. Although the smell goes away pretty quick, some folks would rather not deal with it at all. That’s where citrus comes in. Not only do they pack a cleaning punch themselves, but they can mask that vinegar smell so that your whole house smells wonderfully fresh!

How do you make an all purpose cleaner using citrus?

It’s much easier than you think! If you’ve just eaten an orange…don’t throw that peeling away! If you’ve just squeezed a few lemons, hold on to those peels! Citrus peels are useful even after the juice and pulp are gone. What you really want is the oil that is in the peelings themselves!

Save those citrus peels:

Start by saving all your citrus peels in a zip loc bag. This bag is kept in the freezer. You’ll keep adding your citrus peels until the bag is full. Then it’s time to make some all-purpose cleaner. Use all lemons, all limes, etc. or use a combination. (I had a full bag of orange peels that needed to be used at the time of this post)  It’s totally up to you!

The Process:

Place as many of the peelings into a quart jar as you can fit. I recommend that you cut the peelings into smaller pieces. This not only allows you to get more into a jar (more citrus aroma) but it also releases those oils that I mentioned earlier.

Next, fill the jar completely with white vinegar. Make sure that all the peelings are completely submerged. Add a lid and set it somewhere where you won’t forget about it. Because we get busy and lose track of time, label the jar with a date so you’ll know when it’s ready.

Place the jar on the counter or under your sink and let it “marinate” for at least two weeks. Avoid direct sunlight. Shake the jar every couple of days. Full disclosure: I keep mine on the window sill above my sink because there is no direct sunlight there. Plus, I have a tendency to forget it when I can’t see it every day.

Jar it up:

When the time is up, simply strain the liquid into a clean container and toss the peelings in the compost pile. You can then dilute this with an equal amount of distilled water or pour it directly into a spray bottle. Just remember there are certain places that you shouldn’t use the “straight” stuff.

It’s important to label your bottle so you don’t forget what’s in it. And because I like you, I’m including the label I created for my own bottle of cleaner. Simply download the label and print on 2″ round labels. I like these from Avery. You’re welcome!

Lastly, if you run out of cleaner and don’t have two weeks to wait, there’s no rule that says you can’t strain it early. Ideally, you need two weeks or more for the citrus smell to take over. But, if you must strain early, simply add a few drops of essential oil to mask the vinegar smell.

Straining it earlier than two weeks does not affect it’s cleaning abilities. Only the smell!

To Use:

Use this all natural, multi-purpose cleaner on stove tops, counters, appliances or in the microwave. You can use it to clean toilets, sinks, bathtubs and floors. You can even clean windows and mirrors…just use a newspaper instead of a cleaning rag to wipe it off. No streaks![/vc_column_text]

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