This easy DIY household cleaner harnesses the anti-bacterial power of vinegar and grapefruit. It's easy to make, smells wonderful, and is chemical-free!
The last two days have been beautifully cool and rainy. After a hot and dry spell so long it seemed it would never end, I can't remember the last time I've been so grateful to be (mostly) driven indoors.
It's been a welcome chance to give this house the mid-summer cleaning it's been so desperately needing. My floors, I'll tell ya. Yuck. 🙈
Because nearly all cleaning sprays, even "all natural" ones, give me a headache if I use them for more than a quick cleanup, I try not to use them more than necessary when I go on a deep-cleaning kick. It made me really happy to remember that I have a full quart of homemade citrus cleaner all ready to go--and it's grapefruit. My absolutely favorite. (Lime is a close second!)
Lest you feel that I'm just smearing germs around in my effort to clean my house while avoiding a headache, this DIY cleaner really does have a lot going for it.
Vinegar is a natural disinfectant
Studies have demonstrated how effective vinegar can be, when it comes to destroying bacteria, like the salmonella in this study.
This study involving E. Coli was especially interesting to me. It showed that vinegar does have a strong bactericidal effect, which increased when combined with salt, but decreased when combined with sugar.
Vinegar also has amazing scrubbing powers, and it's a wonder-worker on things like soap scum. (Have you tried my vinegar gel bathroom cleaner? It's kind of like magic!)
However, it IS important to remember that vinegar doesn't kill everything. There are plenty of situations where commercial household cleaners would be the right thing to reach for - like when dangerous pathogens might be a possibility.
This excerpt from the CDC is a good reminder:
Grapefruit peel is also a powerful sidekick in this cleaner recipe.
Aside from imparting a bright and uplifting scent that love, grapefruit peel has long been valued for the antimicrobial properties of its essential oil.
How to make all-natural grapefruit and vinegar cleaner
Making this cleaner is really the easiest thing, and it's incredibly cost effective. Because vinegar is inexpensive, and grapefruit peels are "free" food waste, this is an effective, good-smelling cleaner that ends up costing just pennies.
1. Pack a quart jar about ⅔ full, with fresh grapefruit peels.
2. Pour white vinegar (5% solution) or cleaning vinegar (6% solution) over the peels.
Add enough vinegar to fill the jar, making sure the peels are fully submerged.
3. Cover with a non-metallic lid, to prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal.
(These plastic lids are handy!) If you don't have a plastic lid, simply placing a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap under the metal lid before screwing it on will do the trick.
4. Allow the vinegar solution to infuse for several weeks.
I like this cleaner best when it sits for about 4 weeks, but it's still pretty great even by 2 weeks, if you can't wait that long.
5. Make up a spray bottle with your finished solution.
To make a bottle of household cleaner, fill a spray bottle ½ full with your finished vinegar cleaner if you used cleaning vinegar, ⅔ full if you used 5% white vinegar. Top the bottle up with water, replace the spray nozzle, and you're ready to go!
Some things you shouldn't clean with vinegar
While I love this cleaner for almost everything, it's important to remember that some surfaces can be damaged by the acidity of vinegar. You'll want to avoid using this cleaner on:
- Stone countertops, like granite, soapstone, or marble
- Hardwood floors or furniture
- Electronic screens
- Stone floor tiles
- Kitchen knives and any utensils made of copper or aluminum
I have loved catching up on my household cleaning these last two rainy days, and I'm adoring the fresh scent of grapefruit that's now filling my house. Grapefruit and rain...does it get any better than that?
Below, you can find a printable version of the instructions for making this, in case you'd like to keep it handy.
Happy cleaning!
DIY Grapefruit and Vinegar Cleaner
Equipment
- 1 quart glass jar, with a non-reactive lid
- Empty spray bottle
Ingredients
- 2 cups Grapefruit peels
- 2 cups white vinegar or cleaning vinegar
Instructions
- Pack a quart jar about ⅔ full, with fresh grapefruit peels.
- Pour white vinegar (5% solution) or cleaning vinegar (6% solution) over the peels. Add enough vinegar to fill the jar, making sure the peels are fully submerged.
- Cover with a non-metallic lid, to prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal. (These plastic lids are handy!) If you don’t have a plastic lid, simply placing a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap under the metal lid before screwing it on will do the trick.
- Allow the vinegar solution to infuse for several weeks.I like this cleaner best when it sits for about 4 weeks, but it’s still pretty great even by 2 weeks, if you can’t wait that long.
- Make up a spray bottle with your finished solution. To make a bottle of household cleaner, fill a spray bottle ½ full with your finished vinegar cleaner if you used cleaning vinegar, ⅔ full if you used 5% white vinegar. Top the bottle up with water, replace the spray nozzle, and you’re ready to go!
Anna Chesley
Anna Chesley is a freelance writer living a homestead lifestyle, with a special love for family travel, old books, vintage skills, and seaside living. In addition to founding Salt In My Coffee, she runs the website, New England Family Life, as well as The 1800's Housewife, a website devoted to re-creating authentic 1800's recipes.
Comments
No Comments