Learn how to make a simple and natural all-purpose cleaner using homemade orange vinegar that’s both non-toxic and eco-friendly.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent way too much time researching how to make your home more natural. You want those chemicals out and the time is now! Take all the stress and pressure off by beginning the transition this year. Or, maybe you’re well established and are looking for a new addition to your natural home. Join us in making this simple DIY cleaner!
Our homes are filled with so many different products that are made from various dangerous and harmful chemicals. It can be overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin and you want this drastic change to be immediate. I know I am beyond eager to have less harsh products in every part of my home in order to help my family be healthier and also for the sake of our beautiful planet. So, let’s begin with some simple ingredients you have right in your own kitchen!
This simple homemade orange vinegar cleaner is a fantastic way to replace a harsh chemical product we use daily in our homes with a green alternative. It's truly the perfect starting point in your journey to a more natural home. Nothing feels better than making something for your home with your own two hands. You can even have the kids help out with this one like a little science experiment! The only ingredients you need are oranges, vinegar, and water.
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How to Make Orange Vinegar Cleaner | Natural Cleaning Solution
Ingredients:
- Oranges.
- White vinegar.
- Water.
How do you make homemade orange vinegar cleaner?
Directions:
- Wash and peel your oranges, placing the peels in a mason jar. Fill the jar with enough peels to reach the neck.
- Pour white vinegar into your jar covering the orange peels but not filling it to the brim. The liquid should stop at the neck of the jar.
- Place parchment paper or cheesecloth over the top and screw the lid on tight. (Note: parchment paper is the better of these two options.) If you have a plastic lid, there is no need for a layer in between.
- Leave your jar to soak in a dark place such as in the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink where cleaning products are typically stored. Let it sit for 2-4 weeks so the oranges fully infuse into the vinegar, shaking occasionally. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.
- Strain the newly created orange-infused vinegar into a new jar with a metal strainer or cheesecloth. Toss or compost the used orange peels.
- Fill a clean amber glass spray bottle halfway with the orange-infused vinegar and half with water for a 1:1 ratio. OR if you would like a more diluted option, fill the jar ¼ of the way full with your orange-infused vinegar and fill the remaining ¾ of your jar with water.
- Spray onto a surface and wipe with a cloth to clean!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is orange vinegar cleaning solution supposed to have a color?
- This natural cleaner will have the aroma of oranges and vinegar but also an orange coloring— this is normal!
What can I use to make a vinegar cleaner? Just oranges?
- You can of course use lemon, lime, or any type of citrus peel to create this natural cleaner! You can also get creative and make a combination of scents. A few examples could be orange peel and cinnamon sticks, lemon peel and rosemary, lemon peel, and lime peel. If you use cinnamon sticks or rosemary you need to be sure that it is completely covered in vinegar to prevent molding. This is why shaking the jar occasionally is a part of the process!
Can I use vinegar to clean my floors?
- Depending on what kind of flooring you have, you may have concerns about cleaning them with a vinegar-based cleaner. I gave the option for a more diluted recipe in the instructions for this purpose, it is the perfect solution to use on floors!
Is it safe to clean my whole house with vinegar?
- If you’re unsure how this will impact a surface (ex. granite, marble, hardwood, etc) sample a small amount in an inconspicuous spot before any widespread use. You should be fine so don’t worry, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Does homemade orange vinegar cleaner smell bad?
- It depends on your personal preferences! If you or your family end up not liking the scent of this natural cleaner, I recommend using it in your bathrooms to clean your toilet, sink, and shower as well as using some down your kitchen sink garbage disposal. The smell seldom lasts long in these places because of water running on the surfaces so often and the scents from other products used in the spaces will drown out the orange vinegar smell quickly. I find it also helps work out those obnoxious hard watermarks that take so much elbow grease to remove. It’s one small way to still use this green cleaner in your home, even if it doesn’t end up being a total hit. Some change in the right direction is better than none at all!
Helpful tips for making your natural homemade orange vinegar cleaning solution:
- I always give my oranges a good wash before I begin this process. You never know what pesticides have been used on them (unless you’re able to buy locally and know the farming practices that have been used.)
- I used cheesecloth in between my jar and lid. It’s not ideal and parchment paper is a far better option. The vinegar will erode the metal lid if there’s nothing between it and the vinegar will soak through the cheesecloth. It helped keep the rust out of my orange vinegar but it did end up with some damage! A plastic reusable screw-on lid is the best option for this DIY! But use what you have on hand.
- Clean water is essential here! I use filtered water to make mine. You can also fill a glass or measuring cup with a bit more than the amount of water you need to use and let it sit out overnight so any chlorine or other nasty stuff in your water evaporates! This process is called off-gassing.
- I shake my jar once a day if I can remember to. It’s easy to quickly do if placed under the sink with your other cleaning products because you’ll see it every time you go in. It takes no time at all to give it a quick swish!
I hope this orange vinegar cleaner recipe helps you to eliminate at least some of the chemical products in your home! Be sure to let me know how it goes in the comments below!
Below I have a printable recipe card for you to keep on hand in your kitchen. I have a binder in my kitchen filled with homemade cleaning recipes!
Orange Vinegar Cleaner
Equipment
- Mason jar (1 quart.)
- Parchment paper OR a plastic lid.
- Amber glass spray bottle.
Ingredients
- Oranges
- White vinegar
- Water
Instructions
- Wash and peel your oranges, placing the peels in a mason jar. Fill the jar with enough peels to reach the neck.
- Pour white vinegar into your jar covering the orange peels but not filling it to the brim. The liquid should stop at the neck of the jar.
- Place parchment paper or cheesecloth over the top and screw the lid on tight. (Note: parchment paper is the better of these two options.) If you have a plastic lid, there is no need for a layer in between.
- Leave your jar to soak in a dark place such as in the cabinet underneath the kitchen sink where cleaning products are typically stored. Let it sit for 2-4 weeks so the oranges fully infuse into the vinegar, shaking occasionally. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
- Strain the newly created orange-infused vinegar into a new jar with a metal strainer or cheesecloth. Toss or compost the used orange peels.
- Fill a clean amber glass spray bottle halfway with the orange-infused vinegar and half with water for a 1:1 ratio. OR if you would like a more diluted option, fill the jar ¼ of the way full with your orange-infused vinegar and fill the remaining ¾ of your jar with water.
- Spray onto a surface and wipe with a cloth to clean!
Notes
- If you’re unsure how this will impact a surface (ex. granite, marble, hardwood, etc) sample a small amount in an inconspicuous spot before any widespread use. You should be fine so don’t worry, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Are you trying to transition to using more natural products in your home? Be sure to leave a comment below and let me know! Don’t forget to tag me, tulipsandtwill, in your photos on Instagram and use the hashtag #tulipsandtwill so I can see your homemade orange vinegar go from soaking in a jar all the way to the amber spray bottle!
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