Lemon and Orange Peels: Don’t Throw Them Away — Mix Them with Vinegar! They’re Worth Gold
If you’re like most people, you probably toss lemon and orange peels straight into the trash or compost after enjoying the fruit. But what if we told you that those peels are actually household gold? By simply mixing them with vinegar, you can create one of the most powerful, natural, and cost-effective cleaning products available — all from ingredients you were going to throw away!
Why Are Citrus Peels So Powerful?
Lemon and orange peels are rich in natural oils, especially limonene, which is a powerful degreaser and antibacterial agent. These oils are responsible for that fresh, zesty scent we all love, and when combined with vinegar, they form a natural disinfectant and multi-purpose cleaner.
This mixture can easily rival (and even outperform) many store-bought chemical cleaners — without the harsh fumes or high price tag.
How to Make Citrus Peel Vinegar Cleaner
Ingredients:
- Lemon and/or orange peels (any amount)
- White vinegar (enough to fully submerge the peels)
- A glass jar with a lid (a reused pickle or jam jar works perfectly)
Instructions:
- Collect Your Peels
After eating or juicing your citrus fruits, keep the peels. You can use just lemons, just oranges, or a mix of both. - Fill a Jar
Place the peels into a clean jar until it’s about halfway full. - Add Vinegar
Pour white vinegar over the peels, filling the jar to the top so that all the peels are submerged. - Let It Sit
Seal the jar and let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days to help the infusion process. - Strain and Store
After 2 weeks, strain out the peels and pour the citrus-infused vinegar into a spray bottle. You can dilute it with water (1:1 ratio) if desired.
How to Use Your Citrus Cleaner
- Kitchen counters and sinks
- Bathroom surfaces
- Glass and mirrors (when diluted with water)
- Cutting boards and refrigerators
- Floor mopping solution (add to a bucket of water)
The result is a sparkling clean home, smelling fresh and citrusy — without chemicals, and at no extra cost.
Eco-Friendly and Budget-Friendly
This cleaner is 100% natural, zero-waste, and made from items you already have. It’s safe for kids and pets, and helps you reduce plastic waste from commercial cleaning bottles. Plus, it’s a fun and satisfying DIY that saves money while helping the environment.
Did you love this simple, natural cleaning hack?
Then please like, share, and repost this article with your friends and family! The more we spread these zero-waste solutions, the more we all benefit — for our homes, our health, and our planet.