How to Make Cleaner Out of Oranges

Use any type of oranges to make a homemade orange cleaner.

Cleaners made from oranges are more and more prevalent in the cleaning isle of most supermarkets and unfortunately, they cost a pretty penny. Instead of buying that expensive orange cleaner, make your own using leftover orange peels and vinegar. Use your homemade all-purpose orange cleaner to clean many surfaces in your home, including windows, wood, toilets, counter tops and sinks.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Dish detergent
• Scrub brush
• Knife
• Jar
• White vinegar
• Colander
• Bowl
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Clean the orange rinds before you peel and eat them. Use antibacterial dish soap and scrub them with a soft nylon bristle brush, or clean them with a paste made with water and baking soda. Rinse well before peeling.

2. Peel the oranges. If the peels are not already cut, cut them into slices, about four to six slices per orange. You can use any type of oranges, including clementines, tangerines and navel.

3. Add the peels to a jar filled with white vinegar. Add more vinegar if necessary to keep the orange peels submerged in the vinegar. Seal or close the lid and shake.

4. Collect the peels as you eat oranges over the next two to three weeks, and add them to the jar full of vinegar as described in Step 3. After the last orange peels are added, wait another two to three weeks to allow time for the orange oils to seep out of the oranges and into the vinegar.

5. Pour the mixture over a colander and catch the vinegar and orange oils in a bowl. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, diluting it with equal parts water. Label the spray bottle and keep it on hand for easy use.

References

• 6 ABC Action News; Mrs. Fixit: Orange Cleaner; June 2011