A couple of weeks ago, I proposed a “Homemade Citrus Cleaner Try-A-Long” and a few of you decided to try it with me. Have you got a wonderful thing coming, let me tell you!
After this beautiful stuff had been brewing on my windowsill for the past 3 weeks, I realized that it was time to drain it off and get it into a spray bottle. I opened it up and WOW–what a potent citrusy aroma! Just lovely!
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| After I added 2 cups of water. |
I was rewarded with two full cups of tangerine-vinegar from my jar, and it was a beautiful darkish orange color. (Remember, I used tangerine peels, which I dumped directly into the compost bin upon fully draining.) The instructions from the recipe called for it to be diluted by half, so I added 2 cups of water to the vinegar. I then poured it into a spray bottle. Man–it smells SO good!
I was excited to use it for the first time and decided to use it on my nasty range hood that I briefly blogged about last month. I went to work immediately after the spray was ready.
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| My nasty range hood. Click to see just how nasty. Or not. |
I sprayed my range hood with my new orange cleaner and let it sit for about 5 minutes. (Sprayed range hood not pictured.)
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| This stuff sure cuts grease! |
I found an old scrubby sponge and went to work. I was pleased to see that the years old oily, gunky stuff on my range hood wiped off almost effortlessly. (Granted, I was using the scrubby side, so I’m sure that helped out a bit.) I kept lightly scrubbing and pretty soon, my range hood looked nice and clean. The whole process took about 10 minutes total!
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| Shiny! |
I’m so happy to know that now I’ve got something natural and effective to use on my range hood. The best part is that it’s made from food, so if I spray it around the kitchen, I don’t need to worry if my aim is bad! Not too shabby!
Now, to see if it works well enough to keep my black stove nice and shiny!
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Have you tried this before, and if so how do you like it?
[...] Wanna know how it turned out? Update Post here. [...]
I haven’t tried this yet, but I probably will. I’m always on the look out for DIY cleaning recipes that work, are non-toxic and don’t cost a lot
I”m really glad that you like the results 
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
We made it 2 weeks ago but haven’t used it yet. I will definitely be trying it this weekend after seeing your results!
Yay! I can’t wait to hear how it works for you. I have a feeling I’ll be using this EVERYWHERE in my kitchen!
Mine will be ready next week…and I am truly excited!
m.
Yay! Let me know how you like it, Maria!
Well, I just (yesterday, in fact) got around to starting mine. I used lemon juice in salad dressing last night – started a jar of lemon; then made fruit salad and made a jar with the orange peels.
We’re using a LOT of vinegar lately. I had saved up canisters that originally came with ready made cleaning wipes, and have been filling them with rags and vinegar/water. Voila, home made cleaning wipes that make the commercial ones look bad LOL. My hope is that the citrus will at the very least, improve the scent. The cleaning power boost is a big plus to hear about!
I think so too, Sandra! So far I’m really pleased with it. Todd mentioned being interested in using it too, so I’m not sure how long I will have it around the house. Better get to eating some oranges, lol.
You know, I was thinking that this would be a great use for non-organic citrus since one wouldn’t really want to use the peels for zest or tea. What do you think?
i made some and am really pleased with it. I used it neat on the stove top and it works as well as anything else I have tried, with no nasty toxic chemicals. I’m really pleased with it and have a second batch on the go!
Me too, Queen of String! My new batch is brewing on the windowsill, and every time I have new peels to put in, I do (I started out with 2 cups of vinegar in a quart jar, then add peels as I get them). I love that there are no toxic chemicals too, it’s so nice to know that I’m not ingesting anything that’s bad for me while I’m cleaning!
Thanks for sharing, for the comment and for your visit!
I just strained mine off Saturday. I used mandarin orange peels and limes and oh my does it smell good! I love it so much I have two more jars with lemons brewing up now.
Awesome! I have more going too!
Thanks for your comment and for the visit!
I have my organic lemons in raw apple cider vinegar on my window self right now! Well, just this very morning I got it going, and I only have part of one lemon in there… so far! I have more lemons in the fridge and more on the way in my co-op order!!
Maybe a Lemon Meringue Pie is in the offing soon! THAT would make one very happy DH! And a happy DH makes me… happy!
Thanks for posting an update on your cleaner. I look forward to using mine soon!
Blessings, ~Mrs. R
Hi Mrs. R! Oh awesome! You’re going to be all set pretty soon! Don’t forget to come back and tell me how you liked it!
Oh and lemon meringue pie sounds divine!
Blessings to you!