The new world of simple cleaning is opening up my eyes to how complicated we’ve made everything. I have always loved doing things simply (I have been airdrying my clothes since I moved out, I use baking soda for my whites and vinegar for harder stains. See my green laundry tips here), but am often skeptical of green claims. Mostly because a lot of greener options don’t actually work and a lot of options that do work aren’t actually eco-friendly.
Well, orange peels and vinegar are as simple as you can make something, is cost effective, is green, and WORKS. That’s the most important part of living a greener life – finding new things that actually work. You wouldn’t continue in your new eco-friendly lifestyle if it isn’t actually working, would you?
I’ve updated my cleaning products to include this magical cleaner that can be used with lime, lemon or orange peels. I’ve seen people use pine and lavender, but I haven’t had luck with pine previously (although that was with an infused oil and not vinegar) and I cannot grow lavender. Seriously, it’s mind-boggling. Lavender just doesn’t produce for me
Anyways, it’s super easy to get started in infused vinegar cleaning. All it really takes is the garbage from your afternoon orange.
Infused Vinegar Recipe:
– sanitize a jar to keep your infused vinegar in. I use old honey jars and sauce jars as they fit a good amount of citrus peels and vinegar in there! You don’t need to go out and buy cute mason jars (and, honestly, I think the sauce jars look pretty damn adorable) to start this recipe.
– add in your citrus peels (I make new jars as I eat more oranges). Make sure you at least rinse the orange off before adding to the jar.
– fill with vinegar.
– screw on the lid and keep for 2 weeks.
In 2 weeks, your vinegar will be nicely infused with a sweet citrus scent and some extra cleaning power. This is my new go-to for cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms and I even add a little bit into my sink when doing the dishes! Perfect for stubborn stuck-on grossness.
All-Purpose Cleaning Recipe:
1 cup infused vinegar
1 cup water
For more cleaning power and an amazing scent, add in a couple drops of lemon essential oil and rosemary essential oil for your kitchen.
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