This economical “green” cleaner is easy to make and rivals pricey boutique alternatives…and all you need is two ingredients!
Household chores will likely be cast off in favor of egg hunts and family get-togethers this weekend, and that’s a good thing. Happy Easter!
The arrival of spring, however, is known as much for bunnies and daffodils as it is for thorough cleanings. So the timing seemed right to consider an ingredient that can disinfect your counters as effectively as it can dress your salad: vinegar.
Basic household items like baking soda, toothpaste, lemons, and vinegar have long been used for purposes beyond the obvious. They offer convenient ways to scour, deodorize, remove stains, and more. What’s more, they do this without the use of harsh chemicals and for a fraction of the cost of many store-bought cleaners.
For some people, however, the pungent smell of vinegar is off-putting. All-natural and boutique products often rely on essential oils to make things smell good, and it occurred to me years ago that the natural oils in citrus peels might accomplish the same goal.
My initial experiment involved stuffing orange peels into a Mason jar, pouring basic white vinegar overtop, and storing the jar in a cupboard without opening. After two weeks of steeping, the essence of the orange peels did, in fact, permeate the vinegar and I deemed the test a success.
When I shared this “recipe” in this very space three years ago, I was astounded by the response to my little experiment. Orange Vinegar has been “pinned” hundreds of thousands of times and shared countless times on Facebook and beyond. If you look below, you will see over 400 comments!
Readers have mentioned making versions with clementine, lemon, and lime peels and have noted the many ways they use vinegar in their household cleaning. And who knew? Lots of people use it as a hair conditioner, too! There are various questions and a few funny stories thrown into the mix. The resounding feedback is that people like to cook and clean with vinegar and they enjoy the ease with which this green cleaner benefits from a little orange.
After writing The Fountain Avenue Kitchen blog for several years, I have learned that many readers appreciate those comments as much as I do. So, if you try this—or any other recipe—I welcome you to leave a quick comment. In this case, feel free to include the ways you put basic household products to work beyond their intended use.
- 1 16-ounce canning jar*
- 2 oranges, peels only (eat the insides!)
- White vinegar to cover
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Curl the peels around the inside of the jar. For my last batch, I used two large oranges and would not have been able to fit another peel. If your oranges are small and you can fit another peel, feel free to add it. Pour the vinegar into the jar to cover the peels and close tightly.
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Store the jar in a cupboard or another cool, dark place for two weeks. Then remove the orange peels and transfer the vinegar to a spray bottle.
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For basic household cleaning purposes, I use a 1:1 ratio (equal parts) of vinegar and water.
* You may vary the jar size. Just choose one with a tight-fitting lid, and then fill it with peels and cover with vinegar. Also, feel free to experiment with peels from other citrus fruits, like lemons, limes, and grapefruit.
Tip: I have used vinegar to clean our granite countertops for years with no ill effect, but some people recommend against doing so. If you are unsure as to whether vinegar should be used on a particular surface, test it in an inconspicuous spot. For anecdotal information, you may also wish to skim through the many comments below.
Thank you. I’m surely going to try this. But, wouldn’t peels without the white pith be more effective. In this way more peels would fit into a jar as well.
Hi Leanne, You could absolutely remove the peels from the pith if you want to pack more in the jar and obtain a higher concentration of the essential oils. That said, the benefit exists with the easier method of simply peeling the fruit. Either way, I’d love to know if you try!
Mine has a mother (which hasn’t happened in the last few years of doing this. It should still be good to use, right? And what should I do with the mother?
Hi Phoenix, The mother in vinegar has virtually indefinite shelf life, so it wouldn’t hurt to leave it.
would this be good to use on wood surfaces
Hi Michelle, Depending on the finish, vinegar could damage the wood. If the wood is sealed (but not waxed or oiled) it may be ok, but I would test an inconspicuous spot to be sure.
When I add water to the orange vinegar mixture, could I add isopropyl alcohol too? Or would that react negatively with the oranges?
Hi Chloe, I recently read that mixing isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar makes a quickly evaporating glass and mirror cleaner, although I have yet to try this myself.
Thank you for the recipe! Can I use it to disinfect surfaces like furniture, light switches and door handles? Do we know how much of the bacteria, mould and viruses it kills?
My pleaser, Elif. You can use the mixture on glass, windows, many countertops (it’s not recommended for marble, for example), flooring (although not wood unless sealed or prefabricated hardwood), sinks, stovetops, bathrooms, coffee makers. microwave, and kitchen trashcan to name a few. As for how much bacteria, etc., is killed, there are many factors and it would be impossible to gauge without a microscope.
Has anyone used this in their laundry?
Hi Tina, I haven’t used the vinegar for my laundry, but I’ve heard from people saying they do and that it whitens and brightens clothes, removes soap residue, neutralizes odors, and softens better than traditional fabric softeners. I’d start with about 1/2 cup per load, undiluted, and feel free to report back!
I am going to try spraying this on a hibiscus plant that is inundated with grasshoppers. I have read it is a good insecticide as well. Wish me luck!!
When I was cleaning my sister’s home I found a bottle of orange cleaner. I used it everywhere – on any spot on the linen before I put it into the washing machine and it was so good. Then I read that we can make our own – I don’t have oranges but a grapefruit tree that produces abundantly. I mixed every citrus peel I had and have a spray bottle in the bathrooms and in the kitchen and laundry. I spray the toilets generously before I go away leaving the lid open. We are on a special system where we can’t use harsh chemicals.
Good luck and feel free to report back!
Vinegars lately have been being sold at a lower acidity level. Normally it was always 5% now some are being sold at 3% . It might be why some people are having problems with the outcome. I.e. syrupy, cloudy, etc.
Hi Concetta, I haven’t seen the 3% option so thank you for mentioning. My guess is that a cloudy outcome stems from fruit or juice getting mixed in – rather than just the peels. But your comment is appreciated and I will keep my eye out.
Can the solution be made in a plastic bottle?
As long as it’s food grade, that should be fine, Gina!
A reused honey bottle is what we use. It is LDPE (stamped on the bottom).
What happens if you leave the peels and vinegar for over a year?
Hi Peggy, That’s a long time, but if the peels don’t look degraded and the vinegar isn’t cloudy, it’s likely fine to use. I would remove the peels though.
Mine came out ok.. had a leak under my sink and pulled everything out and found a jar of this I had from probably 2 years ago the peels were still intact and not moldy or anything lol.. so I’m moving forward with it lol
Can you use the liquid to wash floors? And if so what would the ratio be(in a pail)
Hi Sue, I mention in the instructions that, for basic household cleaning purposes, I use a 1:1 ratio (equal parts) of vinegar and water. As far as washing floors, you should be able to use the diluted vinegar on most surfaces. Some people have used it on wood, but it may have a negative effect on the finish, so I do not. When in doubt, test a small area or contact the manufacturer.
I am two weeks in and it’s turned syrupy. Is that normal?
Hi Chris, The peels shouldn’t make the vinegar syrupy. Did you happen to leave some of the fruit on the peels?
I always spent my half an hour to read this website’s posts daily along with
a cup of coffee.
So happy to read this!
Do you add the water after the two weeks or right at the beginning?
Add the water after the two weeks when ready to use.
I just used my fist batch, just strained it to my spray bottle, can’t wait to use it thanks
Happy to read this, Wendy. Enjoy!
I used the peels from the little cuties instead of regular oranges. Will they be ok? It’s about time to take them out and strain the peels from the liquid.
Cuties will work well, Bonnie!
Is it possible to steep the orange peel/vinegar for too long? Is a cloudy solution no good for use? Thanks!
Hi Justine, I recommend two weeks because the peels can start to break down, which could cause the vinegar to become cloudy. A little cloudiness probably won’t be a problem, but if you’re not sure, you may want to start a fresh batch and set a reminder to strain after two weeks. Hope this helps and that you enjoy using it!
I was gifted a case of oranges. I was going to juice a majority of them… Can you still you juiced oranges peels to make the cleaner or do they HAVE to be peels from after eating them???
Hi Christine, You want to make sure all the fruit has been removed from the peel. So if you juice the oranges, you’ll want to peel away what’s left and use the rinds only. And what a lovely gift!
I made this and it took a very stubborn stain off my quartz countertop that Bleach, Lysol, vim, and baking soda couldn’t remove.
Fabulous news, Rowan!
Does this have to be refrigerated after making?
It doesn’t. A cupboard or other cool, dark place is fine.
Hi! On a whim I tried something different this time and worry I ruined this batch which was meant as a gift for my mother- in-law and her Mom as well. I decided to juice the rinds that have been soaking in the vinegar and was able to get a very concentrated solution that I strained and mixed with water and then poured in a stray bottle.
Has anyone tried this and do you think I ruined it? There doesn’t seem to be a lot of pulp in it but it is much darker.
Thanks for a great recipe!
That’s a good question, K. Pulp can make the solution sticky, which isn’t ideal for cleaning. Pressing just the peels may be fine in theory but could also leave a residue, as evidenced by liquid that isn’t clear anymore. I’d test some of it on your kitchen counters and see what you think. And so nice that you are making some to give your mom and mother-in-law!