DIY Household Cleaners With Citrus

5 Materials
$2
15 Minutes
Easy

I have also been working hard doing the research on eliminating chemicals in my home. Not everyone likes the smell of vinegar and I have come up with a way to use citrus in your home that helps cut the smell, or you can use instead to make some DIY household cleaners.


You can see more of my crazy creations here

Many of these recipes you can use your choice of lemons, limes, grapefruit, or oranges. Lemons and limes are the highest in acidity for cleaning. You can substitute bottled lemon/lime juice.

Microwave Cleaner -

Place 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl.


*You can substitute lime, grapefruit, or oranges for this recipe if you like a different scent better.

Place your bowl in your microwave and run for approximately 5 minutes (times vary depending on microwave strength). The steam being released will start losing the food particles. Once the microwave is done, carefully remove the bowl, and wipe out with a clean rag.

Clean Your Cutting Board:

Place 1 teaspoon salt on a cutting board, squeeze lemon juice onto the cutting board, use the lemon to scrub the salt and juice into the board. Let set for 10-15 minutes.


*Lemons are the recommended fruit for the high acidity.

Wipe away salt mixture, and then wash off.


*You can do this to plastic cutting boards as well.

Deodorize Plastic -

Squeeze and rub in citrus fruit of your choice. Put lid on and let sit for 1 hour, then wash out.

Clean Stainless - Good for sinks, pots, pans, faucets


Make a paste of salt/baking soda, and lemon juice (or citrus fruit of your choice).

Scrub onto surface and rinse off.


*If using to clean pots and pans, wash and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Multipurpose Cleaner -

Place citrus fruit peels of your choice in a mason jar. Fill jar with vinegar, place lid on and let sit for 1-3 weeks. This is to help the vinegar absorb the smell of the fruit.

Strain out the peels from the vinegar and discard. In a squirt bottle mix a ratio of 1:10 vinegar with water (1 being the vinegar). Use as a multipurpose cleaner in your home - great for tile.


*This is not to be used with granite. If you'd like a granite cleaner please see my granite safe multipurpose cleaner here - https://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/diy-household-cleaners-38590066?r=2

Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal -

Place your citrus peels, or used citrus cut into sections into your garbage disposal. Turn your water and garbage disposal on.

Soap Scum Remover -

Remove soap scum by rubbing lemons or limes over the surface.

Spot Treatment -

Make a past of lemons & salt (lemons are recommended) and rub onto the spot. Let stand for 30 minutes. Wash as usual in your laundry.

Soften Your Towels -

Place 1 cup vinegar, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (lemon juice is recommended) into your washing machine. I have even thrown my remaining lemon into the wash as well. Launder as usual.


I would love to have you stop by my blog     Chas' Crazy Creations  for the full tutorial as well as sign up for my latest creations, posts, recipes, exclusives, and more...


I would love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel to see more of my crazy creations - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIOsMN7hycVRco-MROXwmXg

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  • Tam 15076171 Tam 15076171 on Aug 29, 2018

    I was wondering what kind of salt? when I clicked the see more it took me to a sight showing epsom salt and grandpa's salt/baking soda soap and the label looks like what is beside the words salt / baking soda see more. Is this what you are using or is it a mixture of salt and baking soda? Also I have been using 1/2 c. of baking soda in my laundry and it seems to be making my laundry soap scent last way longer in my clothes and they smell & look a lot cleaner and brighter. Is this right or is it my imagination because I want to justify the extra expense of the large amounts of baking soda I am buying?

  • Tanya Nichols Tanya Nichols on Sep 05, 2018

    what is best to use to unclog a sink

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Sep 09, 2019

    Did you know that adding vinegar to the dryer clothes prior to drying will help "cut"/remove residual soap? AND - the vinegar smell goes mostly away by drying and once removed from the dryer the scent goes away completely!


    Vinegar in the dryer kills mold, viruses (hot washer water does not do this unless you raise the hot water heater temp above what's safe for household use), and static cling. It also reduces pilling and knotted threads on your clothes.


    ps - always LOVE your posts and I LOVE adding to your knowledge lol! 😎

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