A while back I wrote about making your own Citrus Enzyme Cleaner, which got me thinking about how the whole idea of cleaning with citrus just makes so much sense to me (not to mention that I LOVE the smell, taste, and just about EVERYTHING else related to citrus!)
I mean why pay ridiculous amounts of money for harsh commercial cleansers when you can create your own INEXPENSIVE and EFFECTIVE versions using citrus peels? What makes them so effective? Citrus peels contain oil called D-limonene which is a powerful solvent for dirt and especially grease.
And as a bonus…citrus cleaners leave your home SMELLING fresh and clean!
I can’t wait to make up each and every one of them using LEMON peels!
1. Citrus Vinegar All-Purpose Cleanser
Fill a glass jar with clean chopped citrus peels. Pour vinegar over the peels until they are completely submersed and screw the lid on the jar. Allow the concoction to sit, occasionally shaking the jar to mix the liquid. After four weeks, pour the concoction through a mesh strainer and into a spray bottle. Use the cleanser to clean countertops, stovetops, appliances, floors and glass.
2. Powdered Citrus Cleanser
Combine 1 cup baking soda, 2 tsp. cream of tartar, 1/8 cup Borax, and 1/4 cup grated citrus peel in a bowl. Mix the ingredients well and pour the mixture into a glass jar. Sprinkle the mixture onto dried spills and scum. Use a sponge or soft brush to scrub the mixture into the mess, breaking it up. Wipe clean with a wet cloth.
Optional: add 10 drops of Lemon essential oil for greasy messes and stubborn stains, also sanitizes cutting boards.
3. Carpet Freshening Cleanser
Combine 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup borax and 3 tsp. citrus zest in a bowl. Let the mixture sit until all moisture has evaporated. Mix it well and store in a glass jar. Sprinkle it onto dirty carpets and allow it to sit, absorbing odors and loosening dirt. Vacuum the carpets well after at least five minutes.
Optional: add 20 drops of Lemon essential oil for its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties ~ especially if you have pets in the house (careful around cats, citrus EOs can be toxic to cats.)
4. Disinfecting Citrus Cleanser
Chop up the peel of a large citrus fruit. Combine it with 4 cups water and bring it to a boil in a saucepan. Allow it to cool until it is warm. Stir in 6 tbsp. vinegar and 3 tsp. borax. Mix well and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake before use to mix the liquids. Spray hard surfaces with the cleaner and wipe clean.
5. Citrus Furniture Polish
In a jar, combine 1 cup lemon juice, 2 cups olive oil and 1/2 cup finely chopped citrus peel. Dip a rag into the concoction and use it to wipe wooden surfaces. Screw the lid onto the jar and store in a cool, dry place.
6. Citrus Disposal Degreaser
Drop the peels into the disposal with three or more ice cubes. The ice cubes cool the grease, solidifying it, and the acid in the peels cuts it away. Turn on the disposal until the peels, ice cubes and grease are gone. The citrus peels release a clean scent as they are broken down.
7. Citrus Microwave Degreaser
Combine 1 cup of water and 2 tbsp. of lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the liquid for about 3 minutes, or until hot and steaming. Remove the bowl from the microwave. Dip a clean rag into the liquid and use it to wipe down the inside of the microwave until it is clean.
For stainless steel add 10 drops of Lemon essential oil instead of lemon juice for a streak-free shine!
More Ideas You'll Love
8. Citrus Scrub Degreaser
Cut through caked-on grease on stovetops or kitchen counters. Sprinkle salt heavily over the grease. Cut a lime in half and squeeze the juice over the salt. Use as many limes as necessary to cover the salt. Allow it to sit for about five minutes. Scrub the salt and lime juice into the grease with a sponge or rag to loosen it. Wipe it up with paper towels or a wet rag.
9. Citrus Metal Polish
When it comes to copper, brass and chrome, nix harsh chemical polishes and instead put some elbow grease behind half a lemon. For extra oomph, before scrubbing, dip the fruit half in salt—it will help exfoliate the surface for added shine.
10. Citrus Spray Degreaser
The acids found in the vinegar and lemon juice work together to quickly cut through grease. Mix together 1/2 cup lemon juice and 2 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle. Keep it in the kitchen and quickly spray grease splatters with the solution. Wipe them up with paper towels.
Wow! That’s a whole lotta citrus! Of course I personally can’t get enough. If you’re like me and simple LOVE LEMONS….you might want to check out my Pinterest board “Lemon Joy” for all sorts of citrus inspiration!
What kind of citrus cleaners do you use around the house?
I did the lemon and vinegar and soaked them in a mason jar.. My question is I for got about it for longer than 4 weeks would it still be good or should I start over… I forgot for WAY longer than 4 weeks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.May I simply say what a relief to find a person that
realoly understands what they’re dishussing on the internet.
You definitely understand how to bring an issje tto light and make iit
important. More and more people ought to read this and understand this side of your story.
I wwas surprised that you are not more popular since you surely have the gift.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are awesome, I love the smell of citrus and it’s cheaper than store bought, I will definitely be trying some of these out!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.After I make my lemon vinegar, I take the peels out and freeze them and use it for my garbage disposal cleaner. I think it works maybe even better than the ice cube trick, but with no waste. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.dameshorloges
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m gradually making a switch to more environmentally friendly products in our household. I don’t love the smell of vinegar so I was super excited to see the all-purpose cleaner recipe.
I’m compiling a list to try and will make sure to link back to this wonderful resource! Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Chelsea,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In the old times, when there were no cancer and all pharma induced maladies., We all used borax for many things around the house and we were all healthy and more knowledgeable.
I have been making this for a couple of months now.. Somehow I thought you added part of the liquid to water in a spray bottle. Didn’t realize you use it straight..Need to know before I give another bottle away. Love getting daily from you. Thanks for all the great ideas and advice. Susi
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank YOU Susi!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This January I canned my own lemonade concentrate and orange marmalade which gave me a lot rinds. I used what I could over the next couple of days for cleaners–but there were so many left– I ended up freezing them. Now I just take from the freezer & let them thaw a bit before using them. Thawing in the microwave gives the bonus of an easy wipe to clean it before I use the rind for what I originally intended. Also every morning I put a frozen rind into the garbage disposal & let it sit there all day (you can smell it throughout the day), when dinner is all cleaned up I run the disposal and get that great smell again. Super convenient.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I first froze the rinds (80 lbs of lemons & 50 lbs of oranges) there were so many I thought I was going overboard; then I decided that so long as I had room in the freezer they could stay. Turns out I only have one bag left and I will miss them when they are gone.
A girl after my own heart CTY!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillie, I love your site and all the wonderfull ideas. On the lemons peels, do they need to be dehydrate or fresh?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They can be fresh! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So glad you decided to re-post this great guide today, Jillee. My apartment is in major need of a deep clean and I have a strict ‘no buying cleaners when I can make them’ policy. Thanks so much! Lemon, orange, and grapefruit are all such wonderful ‘clean house’ smells :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nothing beats citrus for the “clean” smell! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was watching a diy tv show on hgtv the other day and they said to never use olive oil to shine wood. It does eventually mold and that will make a huge disaster! They said use mineral oil. I believe it is relatively nontoxic and it does the same thing without the mold and rotting. I love your tips and have bookmarked your page. I read it daily!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Alyse!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am sad to say I have a grapefruit mad Myers lemon tree where the fruit drops off and just rots because I didn’t know what to do with it all. Especially grapefruit. I am excited about this to help reduce some of that waste!!! My question is… How long will these last? How is the best way to store it?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Brenn, I store mine under my kitchen sink and I haven’t had any problem with any of them going “bad”. I use them up within a month or two. Hope this helps!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Will share this on my blog, I love it . Thanks for all these fantastic recipes, right on time for spring/ summer cleaning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is my first email from you and it couldn’t be better then this. It’s wonderful. I’m just starting to make homemade products after I learned what is in our foods
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wonderful! Welcome Grace!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does it help to keep my dog from peeing in the house
Please log in or create a free account to comment.For your Citrus Furniture Polish… How long is it’s self life?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.These are all great tips- I’m wondering if anyone has a reciepe for citrus cleaner for hardwood floors, I love the way my hardwoods look after using the orange glo floor cleaner, but I do not like the price or the chemicals. I would love to learn how to make my own! I thought about trying the furniture polish you have listed, but I’m afraid that would make the floor too slippery. Any tips would be welcome! Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You could try my enzyme cleaner from today’s post: https://onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/02/make-your-own-citrus-enzyme-cleaner-and-scrub.html
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just made my first batch of Citrus All Purpose Spray Cleaner. Having a hard time waiting to try it out.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been reading your posts and trying several of your tips at home for a few months now. I am impressed and find your knowledge to be invaluable !! I love discovering (through you!) the almost endless list of “alternatives to chemicals”…keep up the wonderful work!! Thank you for caring so much to take the time to pass on your wisdom…
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