Homemade Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner

Step 1

Add the citrus peels, herbs, and spices (if using herbs and spices) to the mason jar. There should be enough peels to fill the jar.

Step 2

Pour the vinegar over the peels and herbs/spices (use just enough vinegar to submerge the ingredients, the amount used will depend on how packed the jar is with peels).

Step 3

Now the vinegar needs to rest (infuse) for 2 weeks. I keep my jar under the sink during this time. During this time the orange oils and herbs and spices will infuse with the vinegar. The vinegar will turn a visible orange or yellow (depending on the citrus used).

Step 4

After 2 weeks, the orange vinegar cleaning concentrate is ready to use. Yay!! Your patience has paid off.

Step 5

Using a fine mesh strainer and a large bowl, pour the contents of the jar into the strainer, allowing the beautiful cleaning vinegar to fill the bowl underneath and the strainer to catch the rinds. Discard the peels (and herbs or spices).

Step 6

Return the infused vinegar to the storage jar (or use a clean jar) and secure the lid. Store the cleaning vinegar concentrate at room temperature for a couple of months, or in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Step 7

Now you can use this concentrate to make a cleaning solution. Here are a few options…

Step 8

Option 1: All-Purpose Spray Use the concentrate at full strength or add 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate to a 16-ounce glass spray bottle (my favorite bottles). Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Use throughout the home: bathroom, kitchen, counter-tops, sink, cutting boards, the tub, shower, garbage can, or inside the fridge. Always wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth after spraying.Caution: Never use vinegar (which is acidic) on granite or marble kitchen counters or bathroom counters.

Step 9

Option 2: Garbage Disposal Pods Finely chop 2-3 lemon or orange peels and add them to an ice cube tray. Pour the concentrate over the top of the peels and freeze the ice cube tray. Once the pods are frozen, remove from the ice cube tray and store the pods in a freezer-safe bag. To deodorize, de-grease, and clean the garbage disposal, run cold water in the sink, place 1-2 pods in the garbage disposal and run the disposal.

Step 10

Option 3: Clean Windows Use the concentrate to make this homemade window and glass cleaner instead of using white vinegar. Don’t use vinegar on your smartphone screen or computer monitors since acid can strip the special coating.

Step 11

Option 4: Kitchen Degreaser Spray For a simple kitchen degreaser, add a few drops of natural dish soap or Sal Suds (not castile soap, remember the reaction issue?) to either the full strength concentrate or 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray on the surface and wipe clean.