I have been making my own homemade all-natural citrus cleanser for a while now. I thought it might be helpful to share a tutorial on how I make it, in case you’re working to “clean up your act” in the same way I am. In this post, you will learn how to make your own organic citrus-infused liquid cleanser for kitchen, windows and more. It’s economical, natural and effective. Ditch your chemical cleaning products for good!
As I mentioned in a previous post, lately I’ve been bitten by the cleaning bug. I’ve been emptying closets, re-organizing and eliminating clutter, shedding the old to make way for the new. I was also recently diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, which is really not a big deal but it has changed the way I look at my environment. My doctor described the thyroid like a sponge that takes in everything you’re exposed to, for better or for worse. I’ve decided that getting rid of unnecessary chemicals in our home is a priority.
Making a homemade, all natural, all purpose cleanser is really quite simple. All it takes is some good old fashioned white vinegar, some citrus peels, and a little time. You can make it organic by using organic ingredients. This concept goes back to our great grandparents, who were using simple vinegar to clean and disinfect their kitchens and homes. More and more, I find myself returning to those old fashioned simple techniques… they’re often a vast improvement over the “modern” methods!.
What I really love is how adaptable this “recipe” is. You can use any citrus peels you like – lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit, or a combination of all of them! You can also make as much or as little as you like. They all work well, cut through grease, clean glass windows with very little streaking, and they leave your home disinfected while smelling crisp and clean.
I like using these glass spray bottles to store them in. Of course you can use simple plastic spray bottles, which are less prone to breakage. The glass just feels more old fashioned to me, and I like the weight of it.
Once you begin using this homemade cleanser instead of chemical cleansers you’ll start to realize just how unnecessarily potent the other stuff is. I can’t even handle the smell of chemical cleansers anymore. This one smells fresh, clean and is every bit as effective. Our great grandparents knew what they were doing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Helpful Hint: If you’re wondering what to do with all of that extra citrus that has been peeled, try my Sweet Citrus Rosemary Medley, Citrus Avocado Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing or Pineapple Lime Grilled Chicken.
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Natural Homemade Citrus All Purpose Cleanser
Ingredients
- Peels from lemons, limes, grapefruits and/or oranges (use organic for an organic cleanser)
- White vinegar use organic for an organic cleanser
- Mason jars with lids tapered opening recommended, or any airtight container
- Spray bottle
- Mesh strainer
- Distilled water
Notes
Instructions
- Before peeling your citrus, be sure you have cleaned it with warm soapy water and have removed any stickers. You can use any variety or combination of citrus that you like. I prefer to do the peeling by hand to eliminate the possibility of any fruit getting into your cleanser base-- sugar = mold.
- Fill a clean mason jar, or airtight container, with the peels and pack as tightly as possible. Jars with a tapered opening work best, so that you can place a larger peel at the top to block the smaller pieces from floating above the vinegar, which in my experience can lead to mold.
- Once you jar is packed, fill with vinegar until all of the peels are completely submerged.
- Screw the lid on tightly and store the jar in a cool, dark place for two weeks. I like to check it every few days to be sure that the peels are still submerged and no mold has grown on any exposed pieces.
- After two weeks your cleanser base is ready. Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer into a bowl or another jar. Discard the peels
- The base can be stored in a tightly sealed jar or airtight container until ready to use. When you are ready to make the cleanser, combine it with distilled water in a 1:1 ratio and, using a funnel, pour into a spray bottle.
Homemade are the best, no chemicals and side effects plus you get to make them anytime you want with a few dollars only
I’ve been making my homemade citir vinegars the same way BUT I use 1/4 of raw sugar to break it down. If you stir your jar once everyday for a couple weeks… You will have your own vinegar! No need for store bought anymore. Distilled water, citrus peels and sugar! No need for any weighing down, you want the air to evaperate through the first couple weeks, I use a torn ouece of cloth and rubber band! Then after the 2 weeks, strain it and put your kid on. Good for a year or more if stored in fridge! Sarah G from TN
This looks awesome!! I am going to try this. I have been cleaning with vinager and water for a while now because I get horrible headaches from any chemicals expecally fragrances. It will be wonderful to have a cleaner that smells good and doesn’t give me headaches!!! Thank you!
I’m going to post a homemade rug cleaner soon too… trying to ditch as many chemicals as I can!
what should i do if i notice mold forming?
Hi Joe, Tori’s assistant Ashley here. Unfortunately if molds starts to form you will need to throw away the cleanser and make a new batch. Making sure that all of the fruit is removed from the peels can help stop this from happening.
I squeeze my lemons and I have bags of them in my freezer. Could you explain why you cant have any of the lemon left on the peels? Love your site, just found it.
Hi Yannah, Tori’s assistant Ashley here. Removing all of the fruit helps to ensure that the cleanser doesn’t go bad or accumulate any mold. It’s precautionary.
I have neen making this cleaner for years now. A tip I would like to share is; after peeling the citrus of choice, run a knife over the white parts of the peel to ensure no citrus flesh is on peel greatly reducing the chance of mold growing!!! Also I boiled the vinegar/water solution then added citrus peels and let cool to room temperature, however the citrus barley added sent; leaving my kitchen with an overwhelming vinegar smell for days!!! Last tip, I added a tablespoon of baking soda to the spray bottle and then added two week infused vinegar and mixed until baking soda dissolved. This helped remove tough grime!!
Gotta be careful with mixing baking soda and vinegar in any container. Best case scenario, the chemical reaction will be overwhelmed by the vinegar—the little bit of baking soda will be turned into a salt and water, thereby weakening your vinegar and neutralizing any baking soda effects. If you really want bubbling action? Scrub with baking soda and rinse with a vinegar cleanser.
Can you do anything with the peels instead of throwing them away? If there is mold, will that be ok? How do you know if you have distilled water or purified water? Is there a cleanser that could work on any surface and be pet safe? Thank you.
I do not know of a use for the peels. I do not recommend using if the peels became moldy. Distilled water can be purchased by the gallon in most grocery stores, if you are uncertain you can purchase it. This cleanser should be pet safe, it is all natural ingredients.