For the past 5 years or so I’ve been gradually trying to replace chemical filled (my kids LOVE this term) items with chemical free stuff. Its been really gradual, but when I can find a product that actually works, I’m giddy with joy and just want to share! I’ve been adding essential oils to my lifestyle as well and this was a fun way to use my new love.
I’ve seen many different DIY Orange Peel Cleaners, but I was super skeptical when I first saw them. Especially because my husband has the most sensitive nose on the planet and can smell vinegar from 10,000 miles away. I never thought I could get away with this….but alas, I decided to give a whirl…and guess what? He can’t even smell it!
The verdict???? This stuff is amazing!! It is literally the only all-purpose Kitchen cleaner that I use and have used for about a year. I use it on my counter tops, floors, stove top, you name it! It also gets those pesky finger prints off of my fridge and microwave! To me, it’s a little like a cross between Pine-sol, Windex and the amazing lemon spray that I used to get at Target….at $4 a pop.
The other great thing about this all-purpose kitchen cleanser is that I feel like I’m putting waste to good use. I mean, I love the smell of orange peels, so wouldn’t it make sense to harness the loveliness of the scent of them?
OK, one more thing about this cleaner that I LOVE???
It’s so stinking easy to make!! The hardest part is waiting for your orange peels to release their orange goodness into the vinegar. This process takes 1-2 weeks, but I just keep adding orange peels and vinegar as I use it, so I have a perpetual supply of the concentrate ready to go when I need it. I keep it under my kitchen sink, and within a minute, I have more cleaner ready. Its pretty mind-blowing, this is about as close to being excite about cleaning that I ever get.
What you need to make the most amazing cleaner ever?
- Leftover orange peels
- Leftover glass jar (this is exactly why I’m a glass jar keeper)
- Vinegar (the plain cheap stuff)
- Lemon or Eucalyptus essential oils
- Time
- 3 pumps of dish soap
- Spray Bottle
What to do:
- When you are done eating an orange, keep the peels and put them in your jar, I just keep adding peels and vinegar as I have them.
- Cover peels with vinegar
- Wait….about 2 weeks
- Grab your empty spray bottle, add about 1/2 cup of orange vinegar concentrate.
- Add 3 pumps of dish soap and 10 drops of Essential oil of your choice
- Fill up to the top with water.
- Give it a good shake and you are ready to go!
