White vinegar is one of my favorite all-natural cleaning ingredients. It can be used for everything from deodorizing laundry to washing floors. But… let’s face it, white vinegar isn’t the most pleasant smelling or exciting cleaner. Luckily it’s easy to make infused orange vinegar for cleaning to liven up your green cleaning routine.
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Scented Vinegar for Cleaning
An easy and inexpensive way to freshen the smell of vinegar is by infusing it with citrus peels. I love using oranges but you can use any citrus fruit from lemon and grapefruit to tangerines and limes.
Orange Vinegar for Cleaning Instructions
To make orange vinegar for cleaning you’ll need a glass container, orange peels and white vinegar. (I use a Mason jar but any glass container with a lid will do.)
- Fill your glass container with orange peels (Any citrus peels will work).
- Pour white vinegar to cover the peels. (Make the infusion process faster by heating the vinegar, get the instructions.)
- Close container tightly and place in dark place for several week. (I put mine under the kitchen sink for 2-4 weeks.) The orange peels will infuse the vinegar with natural scent and color.
- Remove from cupboard, strain out the peels, and use for cleaning.
Cleaning with Orange Vinegar
- Sink Disposal Cleaning – Grind the vinegar soaked peels in the garbage disposal to clean and freshen it. Use a boiling water rinse for a clean, deodorized disposal.
- Multi-Purpose Cleaner – Mix 1/4 – 1/2 cup vinegar with 4 cups water and use to clean counter tops, floors or windows. (Learn how to make my upcycled spray bottle.) I also use this mixture to fill my “quick mop” for weekly floor cleaning. I use it on tile and linoleum floors (get my favorite hardwood floor cleaner recipe here) .
- Bathroom Cleaner – Use full strength to help remove hard water stains when cleaning the bathroom. Dilute to scrub sinks and showers.
- Fabric Softener – Add to the rinse cycle to natural soften and freshen laundry.
Citrus Infused Vinegar
Try infusing several jars of vinegar with different citrus peels. You can also combine peels for a new scent combination.
Tip: Several years ago I ditched my mop with disposable pads and commercial cleaner for a refillable mop with a washable pad. I love that it produces less waste, uses non-toxic cleaners, and it is made in the United States!
More Scented Vinegar for Cleaning
Like cleaning with orange vinegar? Check out my other favorite DIY vinegar scents.
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Alan
Hi,
Thanks for the help!
I want to know if I can use apple vinegar, because I have lots.
Thanks!
Bren
I’ve never made it with apple cider vinegar, I think the apple smell would overwhelm the orange. Let me know if you try!
Maya
How long does the vinegar solution (with the soaked lemon and orange peel) last? and is there any difference in soaking it for 2,4 6, 8, etc. months (potency-wise or in terms of effectiveness)?
Ashley
Can I use this cleaner on laminate floors?
Bren
I have successfully diluted the orange vinegar and used it to clean laminate floors. I would check with your manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations or spot test all new cleaners.
Mary Hamburg
Can I use a plastic jar that I bought grapefruit in? Instead of glass?
Bren
Mary, you can use glass or plastic. I prefer glass to prevent plastic chemicals from leaching into the cleaner.
Ashley
Hi! Can I keep adding peels to the jar periodically? Thank you!
Bren
It’s better to add the peels all at once.
Darla Ryser
Can I cheat and use store bought lemon juice instead of the rind? Is so, how much to 1/4 or 1/2 cup of vinegar?
Bren
No, the citrus oil is in the rind.
Zenzj
Hello Bren,
After a bout one week, the inner air pressure inside the bottle has become very strong. When I open the lid to check, there was strong gas erupting with even greater intensity than beer.
Is this normal? As the gas keep accumulating, I am afraid that my bottles might explode sometimes in the future.
Bren
Are you peels completely covered? It sounds like they are fermenting and giving off gas. This is not normal!
Irene
Hi there.
I made this cleaner but it seems to leave a noticeable film on my black granite counter top. So I added more water to it. But it still leaves a film. Have I done something wrong?
Thanks
Irene
Bren
Irene, vinegar shouldn’t be used on granite. The acetic acid can damage the surface. Use this cleaner instead: all purpose cleaner. Save the vinegar for cleaning toilets, sinks, the inside of the fridge, etc.
Irene
Thank you very much for the info.
Irene 🙂
Helena
Looking forward to trying this recipe!
How long will the strained solution keep for?
Bren
It keeps for quite a long time, Helena. I have some under my sink that is a year old and still looks/smells great.
Ri
Hi, Bren,
I saw the same recipe on another blog, but there it was suggested that you remove the white part from the orange peel, but for me it was too much. Now I will make it according to your recipe. Thanks a lot!
Bren
Hope it works well for you!