I never would have thought that I would be sooo excited
to share a recipe for a cleaner!
But I am!!
I am really excited about how this cleaner turned out!
I’ve seen a lot of recipes out there for homemade orange vinegar cleaner.
The one thing people complain about the most
is that it still smells a lot like vinegar.
With this recipe you can say, Bye, Bye Vinegar and Hellloooo Citrus Scent!
This recipe calls for you to have a little patience.
Not only do you have to eat a lot of oranges,
so you can save the peels to make it,
but you also need patience,
to wait for it to do it’s thing and be ready.
I am positive you won’t be disappointed with the scent or the way it cleans!
Give the recipe a try and let me know what you think!
Homemade Orange Vinegar Cleaner
Here is what you will need:
Enough Citrus Peels to fill a large jar
(I used Cuties because they are my favorite to eat,
but you can use whatever kind you want.)
White Distilled Vinegar
Salt, any kind.
(I used sea salt, just because it is what I had on hand.)
Orange Essential Oil-optional
First, eat a lot of oranges. (Good thing they are healthy for you!)
Place peels in a baggie and freeze them until you have enough to fill a large jar.
When you have enough peels,
remove them from the freezer, and
place them on a large cookie sheet, peel side up.
Sprinkle with salt.
This will help pull the oils out of the peels.
Let this sit for 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes, place peels in a large jar.
Fill jar with vinegar.
Now, this is the hard part, I know, I had to have patience too.
Let the mixture sit for 1 month. (or longer!!)
Trust me, you will thank me for making you wait!
I gave mine a good shake once a week.
I don’t know that you need to do this.
It just helped me “feel” like I was doing something with it!
To use your wonderfully scented Orange Vinegar:
Fill a spray bottle with half orange vinegar and half water.
(I used a funnel to put the vinegar in the spray bottle,
and then picked out the orange peels that fell in,
and put them back in the jar.)
If desired, add 20 drops of Orange Essential oil.
If desired, add 20 drops of Orange Essential oil.
Shake bottle and then get to cleaning!
This is my deck table before I cleaned it. YUCK!
This is the table after I cleaned it with the Orange Vinegar Cleaner!
Look at that shine!
(I didn’t edit the photo at all!)
I almost forgot to mention!
When your jar of orange peels and vinegar gets low,
add more vinegar.
You can use the peels at least twice before you need to throw them out.
Enjoy!
Happy Mother’s Day Everyone!
~Robyn
I’m linking up at Sunday Round Up, Chic and Crafty,
WOW what a difference. Ill have to give this a try.
Thanks for sharing at our Sunday Round Up! Can’t wait to see what you have for us next weekend. Have a GREAT week!
xoxo
Heather
Thanks for stopping by Heather!!
What a great idea. Thanks for sharing this @ The Sunday Round Up.
Hope to see you again next week.
Rose
http://www.arosiesweethome.com/
PS> I’m now following your lovely blog.
Thanks for stopping by and the follow!
~Robyn
Hey Robyn, which side is the “peel side up”? Orange side or white side? Just to be sure?
I need to get some cuties.
I had a photo I was going to post that showed that and then I forgot to use it. Orange side up! You can use any citrus fruit. Oranges, grapefruit, lemons.
I hope you like it!
~Robyn
Super idea! Can’t wait to try this out. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week. I can’t wait to see what you link up next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
Thanks Michelle!
I love cleaning with vinegar & am definitely going to give this a try! Thanks again for linking up to last weeks party! I have another one up and running today. Looking forward to seeing what you have to share.
http://lovingthiscrazylife-melissa.blogspot.com/2012/05/welcome-to-katie-from-quality-cheap.html
Hope you’re having a great week!
XO, Melissa
Hi Melisa! Thanks for stopping over!
~Robyn
Thanks so much for linking up on Fabulous Friday. I am featuring you tomorrow. I love this! Can’t wait to see what you bring to the party tomorrow. Hugs!
Awww!! Thank you for featuring my recipe! That means a lot to me! Made my day!!
Can’t wait to try this, I know I have to wait! Thank you for posting, my family can not stand the smell when I clean with vineger. I’m visiting from A pinteresting party
The waiting is the hardest part! Thanks for stopping by!
~Robyn
I forgot all about the one I made and I am wondering how long it lasts.
I have mine for over 3 months.
Donna NE Indiana
No worries, Donna! It will be just fine!
~Robyn
I cannot WAIT to try this! I think I will make mine using a combination of orange, lemon and grapefruit.
I just discovered your site – you have such great ideas. Off to discover more!!!!
I bet it will smell great with that combination!
Trying this now! What a yummy solution!
Oooooo… I want to try to make this! Better start saving orange peels, huh?
Could I use a mix of lemon and orange peels for this?
Oh yes! I think any blend of citrus peels would work great.
Ahh! I made this recipe from memory and forgot a whole bunch of steps! So yeah, I put the peels straight in the jar and the vinegar and let it sit for a month. Still smelled kinda “vinegar-y”. I also put the vinegar straight into a bottle without watering it down. I noticed that I needed to wipe it down really good with a wet rag or else it would leave drips on my tile. I’ll be trying this again and definitely making sure I do all the steps!
I have a few questions though…what types of surfaces can this be used on? Does it work on glass, mirrors, and wood? How do you use it? Do you spray it on and wipe off with wet rag or dry rag? Do you let it sit or do you wipe it off immediately? Sorry to ask so many! Thanks and I hope to hear back soon!
Hi Spring! So sorry to not have answered you sooner. I was looking over my comments and just found it. I love this cleaner for cleaning glass! It works great on the windows and mirrors. I also use it to clean the counter tops in the kitchen and in the bathroom. For the glass I use a dry rag, or paper towel, and for the counters I usually use a wet rag. For the counters, I have used it both ways. (spray and wipe right away, and spray,leave sitting for several minutes and then wipe.) Next time I make a batch up, I want to make it with lemon peels.
)