Orange Vinegar (a “green” cleaner)


This economical "green" cleaner is easy to make and rivals pricey boutique alternatives.

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.

This economical "green" cleaner is easy to make and rivals pricey boutique alternatives.

Orange Vinegar (a “green” cleaner)

5 from 19 votes
This eco-friendly cleaner is easy to make and rivals pricey boutique alternatives.

Ingredients

  • 1 16- ounce canning jar*
  • 2 oranges, peels only (eat the insides!)
  • White vinegar to cover

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. For basic household cleaning purposes, I use a 1:1 ratio (equal parts) of vinegar and water.

Notes

* 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.
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749 responses to “Orange Vinegar (a “green” cleaner)”

  1. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    What can you do with the strained peels?

    1. Hi Michelle, Not much – at least that I’ve discovered so far. You can compost them though. Fun fact: Orange peels add phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium to compost, which are three of the most important nutrients that plants need to flourish. If readers have other ideas, hopefully they will mention.

  2. Sandy Sherman Avatar
    Sandy Sherman

    Just opened my first batch. I love the idea using citrus as I already use vinegar for cleaning and this just makes it so much better. My only question is: How long once strained and diluted will it last? Thank you bunches!

    1. Sandy, Thank you for the great feedback – I’m delighted you’re a fan! Once strained and diluted, the mixture will last for many months. Vinegar is a natural preservative, so that helps. I’ve yet to have a batch go bad.

  3. Robin M vargas Avatar
    Robin M vargas

    I have used. Your receipt works amazing.
    I’ve tried just orange peels and I have also tried with lemons, limes, and the oranges. They both work amazing

    1. I’m delighted you’ve made and enjoyed with a variety of citrus peels, Robin. Thank you for the great feedback!

  4. Can I keep opening the jar and adding more peels as I eat more oranges/clementines??

    1. You could, Lynn, although it’s best to rotate the old ones out after two weeks because they will eventually start to break down.

  5. Hi, I made this using grapefruit peels. It’s been steeping for nearly a week. Mine doesn’t look like yours though – did I do it wrong? My peels look kind of discolored and the vinegar is cloudy (the same color as the peels)…not sure if they should look perfectly preserved? Thank you for the help!

    1. Hi Alexis, I’m guessing the color difference is because you used grapefruit peels and my photo shows orange peels. As long as you used fresh peels, didn’t include the fruit, and follow the directions, the batch should turn out beautifully with any citrus fruit. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

  6. Yes…. Did this but I steeped mine for a month or so LOL! Wondering if I can use it on my hardwood floors with a light mix of olive oil. Hmmm. Also in naturally use it as a deterrent for unwanted curious furry things coming near to my house like squirrels etc..

    1. Glad you like! I’ve occasionally used the diluted mixture on wood floors, but it’s generally not advised because anything acidic can break down and dull the finish over time. So many other great ways to use vinegar though… enjoy!

  7. I’ve been doing this for years but I was wondering if it would be of any benefit or detriment to dry the orange peels first? I use clementines so it takes a while to fill my 1 quart jar. I don’t mind the extra wait time. But I’m mostly curious what the effect would be.

    1. Hi Rhianna, I’m so happy this has served you well! In theory, drying the peels should work. That said, when an essential oil comes into contact with oxygen, light, and/or heat, it loses its strength and effectiveness over time. Its aroma may also fade, but it could be worth trying.

  8. Courtney Shafer Avatar
    Courtney Shafer

    I started this last week and didn’t know not to open it until ready. Does that make it go bad ?

    1. Not at all, Courtney. The point is to put it away and let the peels steep in the vinegar, but exposing it to air isn’t a problem. Hope you enjoy using it!

  9. Deborah Richer Avatar
    Deborah Richer

    Can you leave the orange peel in for aesthetics, assuming you use it all up in 2 or 3 months? (The 1:1 dilution)

    1. Hi Deborah, The peels do start to deteriorate eventually, so if you’d like them for aesthetic purposes, I’d sooner take the old ones out and replace with fresh peels every month or so. You could top off with more vinegar and water or simply enjoy the stronger scent that the additional oils will create.

  10. Is it compulsory to use glass jar? Or can i use plastic jar instead?

    1. Hi Rien, Plastic will work fine, as long as it is food grade.

  11. I love this too and it’s very safe thanks sweetie I use it for everything

    1. Wonderful, Jannetta!

  12. Just made my first batch and going to be using it soon! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
    Can I reuse the orange peels to make another batch?

    1. Hi Deb, I’m delighted you made this! You could reuse the peels, although the effect will be less since much of the essential oil is now in the batch you just made.

  13. I have a question will apple cider vinegar work as well as the regular vinegar

    1. Hi James, The final color and aroma will be a shade different, but apple cider vinegar should work just as well!

  14. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    How is it used for bug control ? outside, inside or on a person?

    1. Hi Susan, I haven’t used this for outdoor bug control, but I have read that a mix of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts of water with a few drops of mild dish soap stirred in will help control garden pests. A spray bottle can be used to mist plants. Some people also like to spray the mixture along the perimeter of the house to deter common household pests. I regularly use the vinegar mixture on my kitchen counters, where I store fresh fruit. I rarely have a problem with ants, fruit flies, etc. If you skim through the comments, you may also find ways that others have used the solution.

  15. Stacie Avatar
    Stacie

    I made some 3 years ago for bug control. Do think it can still be used? How long is too long? The orange peels are almost black.

    1. Hi Stacie, Vinegar is an excellent natural preservative, but the black color makes me think the batch should be tossed.

    2. Becky G Avatar
      Becky G

      You needed to remove the orange peels

  16. Grandma Foxes Avatar
    Grandma Foxes

    I read to use a non metal lid. So I picked a plastic lid. They say those grated Parmigian Lids fit Mason jars. I also put a spacer between the peels and the lid to make sure the vinegar level was completely over the peels. Used a tiny solo type cup maybe 1 inch tall. I added a few fresh basil leaves. Now we wait a month.
    Thanks for posting.

    1. You are most welcome, Grandma Foxes, and thank you for your detailed comment. Reusing plastic lids from other bottles is a helpful mention. I’ve also noticed that lids from mayonnaise jars often fit a standard canning jar.

      1. Standard peanut butter jar lids also fit well and are usually thicker than the mayo lids. I like to save a couple in as many colors as I can so I can use them for opened homemade canned goods like salsa as well. Red for marinara, yellow for salsa, ect.

        1. Great point on the peanut butter lids, Betsy. They do work well. I love the color coding tip too!

  17. I actually made a case of these and am taking them to the office for gifts

    1. What a thoughtful idea, Tom!

  18. This was so easy to make & it looks just as good. Thank you Ann!

    1. Great news, Peggy. Thanks for your comment!

  19. While it is orange it is such a “green” cleaner. Love it

    1. The more color the better ; ) Glad you like, Hope!

  20. Fabulous gift idea! I just made another batch this week. So useful & looks great on my counter.

    1. When you store it in a jar, add a tag and a pretty bow, it does look boutique-worthy! Thank you for your comment, Tina.