Cleaning your house is expensive! You can go into any store and easily drop $20 on cleaners for your house. When I clean the bathtub, I can easily use a half bottle of brand new shower cleaner and the shower will look only a little cleaner than it did before. We also have glass shower doors, so after I bleach the tub, I have to be extra careful when spraying my ammonia-based glass cleaner. It's a lot to think about and it takes up extra space under my sinks to store the 5 household products I need to clean my house. Enter, DIY all natural citrus cleaner. My sister-in-law has been making this for awhile now, and it's great. I remember one instance when her husband had a mini heart attack when their toddler grabbed the bottle of cleaner and proceeded to put the spray nozzle into his mouth, to which my sister-in-law replied calmly that it was only vinegar and water. This is super easy, all natural, and uses stuff you already have (or will use elsewhere) and it's dirt cheap. I priced a gallon of vinegar at a local store and the cost was $4.09. If you shop at Costco or BJ's I'm sure you can get it even cheaper! Use only the citrus you would normally buy for your household, that way something you would normally discard is getting used again. You can save spray bottles for this project to use for your cleaner or buy new ones. These spray bottles are from my sister in law whose employer would throw them out so she would take them home to be reused. I just cleaned them and soaked them in hot water and dish soap and the label came off like a breeze.
You will need:
1 large mason jar
Citrus peels of your choice (only the peel, no pith or juice/pulp) - I used grapefruit, and I currently have lemon going as well. Note: This can be made with the peel of 2 or 3 grapefruits, depending on size.
Citrus Peeler, if you have one.
Herbs of your choice - I paired mint with grapefruit but you could also try thyme, rosemary, sage, etc.
White Distilled Vinegar - enough to completely cover the citrus, 1-2 cups
Essential Oils - I had some Orange essential oil around the house so I added in a few drops of that, this step is completely optional and customizable.
When you are ready to bottle your homemade concentrate (after 2 weeks of soaking) you will need:
First step is to peel the citrus that you have chosen, I found it easiest to peel my grapefruit first and then segment it and eat it rather than cutting it up and having to separate the peel from the pith and juice that you don't want.
Next, stuff your mason jar with you peels, herbs and essential oil(s). Pour the vinegar over your peels so they are completely submerged in the vinegar.
Screw the cap back onto the mason jar and give it a good shake. Let it sit for about 2 weeks. I just left mine on our counter by the sink.
After the 2 weeks are up strain the liquid into your second mason jar. Discard the peels; I put mine in a Ziploc bag before throwing away to control the odor.
Fill your spray bottle about two thirds of the way up with water and then fill it the rest of the way up with your concentrate. 2 parts water, 1 part concentrate.
I printed out labels for mine as I had a few extra from my recent nuptials, but this certainly isn’t necessary. This is the finished product:
I made 2 spray bottles with the cleaner and I have enough left for about 2 more.
As you can see, I have two lemon cleaners going now too. I didn't add anything extra, just lemon. The big one on the left I started earlier today, and the one right beside it has been going for about a week now.
In case you were wondering, other than being cheap, why vinegar?
Vinegar is mostly acetic acid and because it is an acid, it helps in dissolving mineral deposits and build up from your surfaces. It also has the power to kill bacteria, but is mild enough not to damage most surfaces. We eat the stuff, so it’s great if you have kids or animals that are sensitive to all the chemicals or you just don't want to expose yourself to the extra crap! I get it.
Where can you use vinegar around your house?
Floors (even the hardwood)
Counters (except marble or granite)
Toilet bowl cleaner (spray it and let it soak for a minute or two and then take your toilet brush to it)
Shower (Shower head, Tub, Tile, etc.)
Glass
Cleaning your coffee pot
Pet Urine
Garbage Disposal
Removing Buildup from faucets
Fabric Softener (love it!)
Children's Toys
Cost Breakdown:
Vinegar 1 Gallon (16 cups, 2 per batch of concentrate): $4.09
Grapefruit 10lbs (enough for 8 batches): $7.98
Spray Bottle: I price checked these on amazon, and the cost is for 3 bottles: $6.00
Total cost for all supplies: $18.07
Total cost for each batch (8) of cleaner: $2.25
Total cost for each spray bottle (5) of cleaner: $0.45
It will go down from $0.45 per batch because next time you will only need to buy the vinegar and citrus fruit. At that point it will cost, $0.30 per bottle of cleaner. Blows my mind people!
The spray bottles will be a one time expense. I used 2 cups of vinegar and should be able to make 5 bottles of cleaner with each batch of concentrate that I make.
*** DISCLAIMER: While vinegar is a great cleaner for most surfaces it can damage marble and granite, so keep that in mind.
What do you use vinegar for around your house?
