Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner

Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner is so easy to make, and costs pennies. Don't spend money on toxic cleaners when you can make your own "green" stuff at home. There is no better feeling than turning your trash to treasure.

Step 1: Supplies

• Orange peels (or any other citrus fruits)

• White Vinegar

• Jar with lid

• funnel

• spray bottle

• Patience

Step 2: Eat Up

First thing to do is eat your orange and discard the peel into a jar. During the winter I always am stocked with clementines. I keep a jar on the counter to dispose of the peels. Everyone is expected to leave a deposit if they partake of the fruit.

I don't bother removing the pith...

Step 3: Pack and Fill

Pack the peels in quite tight. The more peel the stronger the citrus scent. Once the jar has been filled, grab the white vinegar and fill to the top. Twist the lid on tight and let sit for at least two weeks. I tend to have 8-10 jars macerating at a time. Ten large jars is enough to take care of my cleaning needs for the year. I like to leave my jars for several months before using.

Step 4: Pour Off

After waiting, you simply poor off the liquid into a spray bottle.

Step 5: Now Get Cleaning!

Clean baby clean.

Comments

[Linda0029]

Can you add a little distilled water to it?

[Kazzabuzza18]

Thanks for this. Once made and ready for use what is its shelf life?

[PDXHICKS]

Perfect timing on this post as it's citrus season here in the US so I'll be giving this a try. I love the fragrance of the citrus. Have you ever tried adding lavender to this cleaner? I know it's antimicrobial just as the vinegar and citrus are and would add another nice layer of fragrance, especially if lemon peels were used. (A mouth watering fragrance reminiscent of lemon lavender sauce or shortbread cookies for a kitchen cleaner) Thanks for the great post and I'll try to remember to post how my cleaner turns out.

[Renarde Rousse]

I have not yet tried lavender/lemon. I bet it would smell wonderful. Although probably need to put a massive amount of lavender to bring the vinegar smell down. Definitely worth a try!

[PDXHICKS]

Once the vinegar smell has disapated the fragrance of the lavender would be able to be noticed. I think you should give it a try.

[Renarde Rousse]

thanks!

[eklecticplace]

I have been doing this for years: I breed dogs and it is great to remove the pee scent when they have accident.
I reuse the peels and if I have some oranges that are starting to go bad, I remove the bad part and put in the rest of the orange into the jar with the vinegar.

[Renarde Rousse]

Actually, I heard spraying vinegar where a cat pees will usually keep them from peeing there again. I don't know how this works with dogs, but its worth a try.

[Riffifi]

merci, j'ai enfin trouvé comment réutiliser les pelures d'orange de cet hiver! (et c'est beau en plus ce liquide orange)
accessoirement ça doit accélérer la vitesse de décomposition des pelures, ce qui est pas mal quand on les met au compost.

[Renarde Rousse]

C'est avec plaisir ! Oui, les pelures deviennent assez molles pour le compost. Mais j'aimerai trouver si elles sont encore réutilisables pour autre chose, ... des idées !?

[Riffifi]

mmh j'en sais rien mais je crois pas... surtout au bout de plusieurs mois de macération... à moins peut-être de n'utiliser que des oranges non traitées, et de savoir en faire quelque chose en cuisine? on conserve bien des citrons entiers en saumure...

[ArticAkita]

does it blast through grease on the stove? I ruin more sponges trying to clean the beast! I like the idea of natural cleaners you can make than go broke keeping the companies in business!

[Renarde Rousse]

I actually made it initially just for the greasy stove. The oil from the peel is an amazing degreaser. I suggest you spray it all over and let it sit a good 10 minutes before cleaning off. Thats what I do.

[ziggy harry]

I have done this too but discontinued due to it going mouldy.

[Renarde Rousse]

Did you dilute the vinegar with water? As long as the peels are completely covered with the vinegar, and you have the jar sealed there shouldn't be any mould. I think you should try again.

[hippiechk]

i use both of these as cleaners! Now if someone can please explain to me why, why, why I never combined them before I would appreciate it. Great instructable... you got my vote!

[Renarde Rousse]

Because it's the simple things that are the hardest to come up with. By the way, combining the two wasn't my idea. I just put it to music ;) I wish I had thought it up. Thanks hippiechk!

[jessyratfink]

I do this too!! It's awesome and works so well. :)

[Renarde Rousse]

I feel honored jessyratfink! It really does work well... and smells great.

[Wynd]

Love this! :D