Did you know you can make a DIY Citrus Cleaner? I have been working hard doing research on eliminating chemicals in my home. Not everyone likes the vinegar smell and I have come up with a way to use citrus in your home that helps create a nice citrus scent, or you can use it instead to make some DIY household cleaners.
One of the best things is that this will give you lots of options for a natural cleaner and natural citrus solvent
Citrus Cleaner Ingredients
- Citrus Fruit – lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit
- Vinegar
- Water
- Salt
- Baking Soda
Many of these recipes you can use your choice of lemons, limes, grapefruit, or oranges. Lemons and limes are the highest in acidity for cleaning. You can substitute bottled lemon/lime juice.
Citrus Cleaner Instructions
1. Use citrus to clean your Microwave
Place 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl.
*You can substitute lime, grapefruit, or oranges for this recipe if you like a different scent better.
Place your bowl in your microwave and run for approximately 5 minutes (times vary depending on microwave strength). The steam being released will start losing the food particles. Once the microwave is done, carefully remove the bowl, and wipe it out with a clean rag.
2. Clean Your Cutting Board with lemon:
Place 1 teaspoon salt on a cutting board, squeeze lemon juice onto the cutting board, and use the lemon to scrub the salt and juice into the board. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
*Lemons are the recommended fruit for high acidity.
Wipe away the salt mixture, and then wash off.
*You can do this to plastic cutting boards as well.
3. Deodorize Plastic Surfaces and storage containers
Squeeze and rub in the citrus fruit of your choice. Put the lid on and let sit for 1 hour, then wash out.
4. Clean Stainless steel
Use citrus to clean appliances, sinks, pots, pans, and faucets easily with just a few ingredients.
Make a paste of salt/baking soda, and lemon juice (or citrus fruit of your choice).
Scrub onto the surface and rinse off.
*If used to clean pots and pans, wash and wipe with a microfiber cloth.
5. make a citrus Multi purpose Cleaner or citrus peel cleaner
Place orange peels or citrus fruit peels of your choice in a mason jar. Fill the jar with vinegar, place lid on, and let sit for 1-3 weeks. This is to help the vinegar absorb the smell of the fruit.
Strain out the peels from the vinegar and discard them. In a squirt bottle mix a ratio of 1:10 vinegar with water (1 being the vinegar). Use as a multi purpose citrus cleaner in your home – great for hard surfaces like tile. Spray on a wide variety of surfaces, and make sure to use a clean cloth to wipe up the mixture.
*This is not to be used with granite. If you’d like a granite cleaner please see my
6. Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal
Place your citrus peels, or used citrus cut into sections into your garbage disposal. Turn your water and garbage disposal on.
7. Citrus is a Soap Scum Remover
Remove soap scum by rubbing lemons or limes over the surface.
8. Use lemons to treat spots
Make a past of lemons & salt (lemons are recommended) and rub onto the spot. Let stand for 30 minutes. Wash as usual in your laundry.
9. Soften Your Towels
Place 1 cup vinegar, and 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (lemon juice is recommended) into your washing machine. I have even thrown my remaining lemon into the wash as well. Launder as usual.
Citrus Cleaner Video
You can see my video with Hometalk below.
Organic Cleaning – DIY Recipes and Tips To Clean the Chemical-Free and Natural Way
When cleaning your home there are amazing ways to be efficient with your time as well as minimize the chemicals in your home. In this book, you’ll learn what natural and organic products to use, the recipes to create, how to use the cleaners in your home, tips, and tricks, and how inexpensive it is to clean naturally. So what are you waiting for? Start cleaning organically and naturally today!
Shop any of these stores and I receive a small commission at no cost to you.
please sign me up- I love to hear all of the blogs ! thanks, Bonnie johnson
Thank you so much Bonnie. All you have to do is fill out the form at the top of my blog. It’ll ask you to confirm you really want to subscribe.
I use lemon for cleaning all the time. Found you on Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thank you for sharing Candy, thanks for stopping by.
I’ve used the vinegar-lemon solution to clean my microwave and it really works! I’m totally turned on to this natural cleaning now. I’m going to try the rest!
Pinning and tweeting this. Greetings from the Blogger’s Pit Stop!
I’m so glad it worked for you and you want to try more. Thanks for stopping by, tweeting and pinning 🙂
I love these tips, I’ve done the lemon in the microwave one for a while so I know that works. I’d love to try some more.
Thank you Julie, and I’m excited you want to give some more a try 🙂
There are some wonderful ideas here, Chas, and the citrus would make everything smell so good. I didn’t know about using the lemon to soften towels! Sharing this post on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page. Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Have a great weekend!
Thank you April, and I have been learning so much about cleaning – it’s been great. Thank you so much for hosting a wonderful party and thank you for the Facebook share – I appreciate it 🙂
Is there a charge to subscribe ?
Hi Maria – there is no charge to subscribe to my blog 🙂