I’m back, if anyone missed me. As mentioned two posts ago (before I dissapeared) we were planning on going camping in the Tennessee mountains. I am back and promise to share some pictures once I get them all sorted out. I must say that I missed home (I am not big on going away too often) but I dearly miss the simplicity of living in a one room wood cabin with my family. I guess maybe it would not be too romantic after a while but one week of living together and being outside all the time with almost no belongings has made me think how I need to simplify alot more. It was so beautiful there and the super cold nights on the mountain top were amazing. But, I could not stay there because I live here so I am back and of course back means back to everything, farm chores, house cleaning, laundry, cooking… you get the picture.
I was in the process of making my favorite orange vinegar cleaner when I thought of sharing it with you. The van needed a good cleaning after a round trip from here to Tennessee total of 20 hours. This spray cleans well and smells good. Vinegar is a good cleaner but not too many people enjoy the scent (me included) so here is how I make my own orange cleaner for about $1.00.
Whenever we eat citrus here, the peels always have a second use. Organic produce is pricey so I try to not waste anything I can get another use from. Lemons and limes get zested and I dry or freeze the zest for desserts, cooking and liquer making. Oranges, tangerines and grapefruit are a favorite here in marmalade or candied peels but I have another use, orange vinegar cleaner.
When I am getting low on cleaner, I peel as much of the citrus pulp off leaving only the white under the orange peel and I add them to a big mason jar full of white vinegar. I’m not talking about organic vinegar here (though you may use it if you like) I use the cheapo white viengar you can buy in a big jug.
just plop the pieces of orange or citrus peel into your jar, put the lid back on the jar and shove it back into the back of your pantry until you have more to add, no waste : )
when you have a bunch in there let them sit a few days and then strain out the peels
to this you can add water for a simple and gentle cleaner but I use mine straight to clean all mirrors, windows and glass and it is nice in the bathrooms for my little cleaning helpers to use. Just like Dr Bronners, our cleaner for everything) if they spray it on themselves there is nothing to worry about.
pour into your spray bottle (note to self, look for metal or glass spray bottles instead of yucky plastic). Does that even exist? If it does somebody let me know, its on my list of things to get rid of from our lives.
I promise this will smell like citrus and cleans well. I may add cloves to my spray during the holidays…. or now. I love the smell of orange and cloves.
I have a ton of apple cider vinegar hanging around can I use that?
I love to use a vinegar in cleaning our kitchen but you will not want to use it for so long because of its odor. I think this is really a great idea and I will try this soon.
Do you have to use a jar or could I use a plastic container that is in similar size and look of the jar? I just got done peeling the oranges and I love vinegar to eat and clean and sadly I love the smell too… sorry ladies. 🙂
What a wonderful idea, thank you. Same as others I don't use vinegar because of the smell but going to try this.
Can you tell me the ratio of peels to vinegar that you use for this? I have one quart jar infusing now (had read about this on another site), and another one started. But I wasn't sure how much vinegar I should use to how much peel. They didn't say either.Thanks!
I have never measured but I just put whatever amount of vinegar, (lets say a quart) and just put orange peels into it until they don't fit anymore. The more peels, the faster it gets infused. The jar I am using in the picture is a huge half gallon jar. I hope that helps, but don't worry about the measurements too much, it works out either way.
Thanks! That helps.
A good use for the cheapo white vinegar that is still hanging around my pantry – a leftover from when we made the switch to organic life. I'll bet you could do this with lemon peel too?! I'd love to see a post of yours about all your uses for citrus peels. We compost them, but it still feels like a bit of a waste 🙁
Anne, It last a long time, not sure how long but I have never had it go bad, even a bottle that was lost behind something.
What a great idea!! I love to clean with vinegar but my husband hates the smell. I will try this!!! One dumb question: Does the orange scented vinegar last a long time, or do you need to use it up pretty quickly? Thanks!!!