Citrus Vinegar Cleaner

Now that you have citrus infused vinegar, what do you do with it? Well, you make citrus vinegar cleaner.

This cleaner could not get much simpler. Take your citrus infused vinegar (after it has been hanging out for at least a week) mix it with water in a 50/50 ratio. Pour into a spray bottle and you’re ready to go! My quart jars usually yield about 2 cups of vinegar, so enough to make 2 full 16 ounce spray bottles.

As soon as my jar is empty I refill it with lemons and vinegar and it’s ready to go by the time I need to make more cleaner.

Why use vinegar cleaner?

• it’s antimicrobial, which means it helps kill off bacteria (source)
• it’s non-toxic
• it smells better than plain vinegar and water
• it’s inexpensive to make

What do I use vinegar cleaner for?

• greasy stove tops
• laminate floors (with no wax coating)
• kitchen and bathroom counters
• stainless steel appliances
• mold and mildew
• hard water build up

Where should you NOT use vinegar? It’s fantastic, but it’s not a miracle all-purpose cleaner

• stone surfaces – stone counters or floors are porous and can potentially be damaged with the high acidity
• wood floors and furniture – vinegar can potentially damage the finish
• leather – again with the finish
• clothing and cloth furniture – plain vinegar can be a valuable laundry tool. Citrus infused vinegar takes on the wonderful smell AND some of the coloring of the citrus, so it’s best to avoid surfaces that can potentially stain.

This cleaner has become a staple in my household. What’s your favorite cleaner? What do you use vinegar cleaner for?