How to Make Citrus Vinegar for Cleaning

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How to Make Citrus Vinegar for Cleaning

Do you clean with vinegar? Tired of the unpleasant smell? Add orange peel and improve the cleaning ability and scent.

Tiffany Tarnowski

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Step 1 of 16

Vinegar, jar, citrus fruit

Step 2 of 16

Label your jar with the contents, and date.

Step 3 of 16

Begin peeling your fruit. I had clementines on hand, so that's what I'm using.

Step 4 of 16

Try to peel your fruit in as large of sections as you can.

Step 5 of 16

Add your peel to your container.

Step 6 of 16

If you don't plan on eating lots of fruit all at once, you can add peels over time.

Step 7 of 16

Pour white vinegar on top.

Step 8 of 16

Once your jar is full add your lid, seal tightly.

Step 9 of 16

Place sealed jar in a cabinet or out of the way place to sit for a few weeks while the orange peels release their oils into the vinegar. Shake periodically. Mix will become darker in color over time.

Step 10 of 16

Here's the vinegar solution on August 15, it's ready for the next step.

Step 11 of 16

Pour your solution into a larger container, being careful not to get the peels in it. I tried to strain it through a coffee filter- but the liquid was REALLY thick. Next add water.

Step 12 of 16

The oils from the orange are very strong & can ruin surfaces if not mixed with water. If you use the mix at full concentration,wash the area afterward with water. I'm not buying you new furniture. 😉

Step 13 of 16

Add an equal amount of water to your vinegar solution. Here I poured the water into my original container to get any last vinegar solution out of the jar and peels and back into my bigger container.

Step 14 of 16

Stir the vinegar and water together, it will be much thinner now.

Step 15 of 16

Now your solution is ready to use. You can add it to a spray bottle and get started cleaning, or you can put it in some jars to use when you're ready.

Step 16 of 16

Make sure that you label the container that you put it in. I used mine out of the jar on a rag/ paper towel and cleaned my windows and mirrors.

You're Done

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Tiffany Tarnowski

USA

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Lidded container : jar/ tupperware

White vinegar

Citrus fruit: oranges, lemons, clemintines

Patience

Water (to add to finished product)

Spray Bottle or extra jars

Thx for the response. I'll keep some undiluted when I get to make this. Excited to concoct natural and home-made cleaning solution.

Oh Snap Snap 7 months ago

Oh Snap: there will still be a vinegar scent, but it won't be anything like you're used to. It will definitely be more pleasant. I'm sure you could use lemons or limes, but I know orange citrus has a special something (the name of which I can't remember) that helps with cleaning. I use my citrus vinegar for everything. I diluted mine, but I wish I would have left some at full strength.

Tiffany Tarnowski (author) 7 months ago

Does vinegar overpower any citrus scent from the peels? Have you tried it with other citrus fruits? (I'd be interested in using limes). Can I use this in the bathroom? (shower/tub, tiles, toilet...) Plz excuse my asking so many questions...

Oh Snap Snap 7 months ago

Lisa- the citrus is a good choice because of its cleaning abilities. I don't think that there would be any added benefit to using lavender, and I'm not sure how well the scent would infuse into the vinegar, but I'd be interested to hear how it turns out if you do it!

Tiffany Tarnowski (author) 9 months ago

For sure i'll be trying ur recipe out first anyway. Excited to see the results! 😃

Lisa Bennett 9 months ago

Have u ever tried to substitute the citrus peel for lavender? I like the fragrance better and wonder if this would also work?

Lisa Bennett 9 months ago

I use vinegar on my floors (laminate wood) works well

Corinn Whann 9 months ago

I used it on my counters, on my hutch, windows, used it to clean in all the same places that I use Windex and multi surface cleaner. You could use it to clean your washing machine, dishwasher, as a laundry treater- anywhere you use vinegar. As long as its diluted and the orange oils aren't at full force- you could probably use it almost anywhere. It didn't leave any oily residue on any of my surfaces, so I guess as long as your comfortable using it then use it everywhere. It's much safer than your typical store bought cleaners. You know what's in this.

Tiffany Tarnowski (author) 9 months ago