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DIY Non-Toxic Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner

Making your own DIY Non-Toxic Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner is super easy and it can be made with ingredients you already have at home! One of the first steps people take to creating a toxin-free home is to make their own cleaning products. It is a cheap and simple way to rid your home of harsh chemicals. A natural all-purpose cleaner is the perfect place to start as it is versatile and safe to use on many surfaces!

finished natural citrus all purpose cleaner in glass jar next to oranges

Why Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner?

  • Cost savings: Ingredients are inexpensive and often on hand.
  • Health benefits: Avoid irritating chemicals and strong artificial scents.
  • Environmental impact: Reduce plastic packaging and rely on natural ingredients.

This All Purpose cleaner is the perfect solution to clean 90% off your home’s surfaces. I decided to make a warm and cozy scent by using rosemary and clove, but you can use any scent you’d like! The point of this recipe is to keep things budget-friendly and easy!

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DIY Non-Toxic Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Ingredients & Supplies

  • 2 cups orange peels (or any citrus peel. Lemons work great, too!)
  • 3 cups white vinegar
  • Handful of cloves (About 10 or so)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Glass jar (large enough to hold the mixture)
  • Glass spray bottle for final solution

(Pro Tip: If you’re using a metal lid, place parchment paper between the lid and the jar to avoid corrosion/rust.)

glass jar with orange peels, rosemary, and cloves
Subs

Use what you have on hand to make this recipe! Other great options include:

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Combine Peels & Vinegar. Place the orange peels (or other citrus) into your jar. Add rosemary or cloves for extra scent. Cover completely with vinegar.
  2. Infuse for 1–2 Weeks. Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place. Let the natural oils from the citrus infuse into the vinegar.
  3. Strain. After 1–2 weeks (or longer if you forget!), strain the liquid to remove peels and any debris.
  4. Optional Essential Oils. Add 5–10 drops of your favorite essential oil (e.g., lemon, clove, cinnamon). Shake gently to mix.
  5. Dilute. Use roughly a 1-1 ratio of water to your vinegar infusion. Transfer the vinegar solution into clean spray bottle halfway, then top off with water.
  6. Store. Store any extra infused vinegar in a cool, dark space. To maintain potency and avoid mold, do not dilute before long-term storage.
vinegar infusing with orange peels, cloves, and rosemary in glass jar

How to Use Your DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

  • Spray directly onto most non-porous surfaces (countertops, stainless steel, bathroom tiles, etc.). Avoid using on natural stone (granite, marble) or unfinished wood—vinegar can etch or damage these surfaces.
  • Wipe clean with a cotton cloth or reusable rag. I usually avoid microfiber as it can leach microplastics into your laundry and wastewater. If you love your microfiber, consider a special laundry filter (like a Guppyfriend bag or microfiber filter) to catch those microplastics.

FAQs + Troubleshooting

Yes! I always forget about mine (#momlife). As long as you don’t see any signs of mold and the vinegar is still covering the ingredients, you are good to go clean!

This vinegar-based cleaner works great on most non-porous surfaces like countertops (laminate, stainless steel), bathroom fixtures, and sealed tiles. However, avoid natural stone (granite, marble) and unfinished wood, since vinegar’s acidity can etch or damage those surfaces over time.

Absolutely. The infused vinegar concentrate can last indefinitely if strained well (removing fruit peels and herbs). However, once it’s diluted with water, it’s safest to use it up within 2–3 months. Store in a cool, dark place to maintain potency—especially if you added essential oils.

Citrus is a Cleaning Powerhouse!

Lemons and oranges are powerhouses when it comes to natural cleaning.

Citrus is amazing for cleaning because:

  • Its high acidity helps break down tough stains, cut through grease, and dissolve mineral deposits.
  • Citrus also contains natural antibacterial properties, making it effective for everyday disinfecting.
  • Plus, the fresh, uplifting scent of citrus helps neutralize odors without the need for synthetic fragrances.

When you infuse citrus peels in vinegar, you’re harnessing the fruit’s essential oils in a gentler, more sustainable way than using commercial essential oils (especially if you are using food scraps!). The result is a versatile, effective, and pleasantly scented cleaner for your home.

Did you make this recipe?

Mention @brittanylgibson on Instagram so I can see your creations! You can also leave a comment below!

By creating this easy, citrus-infused all-purpose cleaner, you’re taking a significant step toward a non-toxic, eco-friendly home. Whether you’re looking to reduce waste, save money, or simply bring a fresh, invigorating scent into your kitchen and bathroom, this DIY cleaning solution has you covered.

three natural cleaning supplies on a wood table

Non-Toxic Cleaning 101: Ditching Harsh Chemicals Step-by-Step

A guide to begin your toxic-free journey with my best tips and all of the best DIY cleaning solutions for your whole house!

Give this homemade all-purpose cleaner a try and experience the power of simple, natural ingredients. With a few basic pantry staples, you can make your green cleaning routine more affordable, sustainable, and safe for the whole family.

Pin It for Later!

A jar containing a DIY citrus cleaning solution with orange slices and rosemary is shown alongside fresh citrus on a wooden surface.

About the Author:

I’m Brittany, totally modern and mainstream turned crunchy mama!

Read more here about how I went from a totally incompetent cook and hyper-consumer to striving to live a more meaningful life from scratch.

I can’t wait to share my modern homesteading journey with you and I hope I inspire you to join along!

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Non-Toxic Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

weck jar with orange rosemary and cloves

A natural all-purpose cleaner is the perfect place to start your all natural cleaning journey as it is versatile and safe to use on many surfaces!

Materials

  • 2 cups orange peels (or any citrus peel. Lemons work great, too!)
  • 3 cups white vinegar
  • Handful of cloves (About 10 or so)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs

Tools

  • Glass jar (large enough to hold the mixture)
  • Glass Spray Bottle

Instructions

  1. Combine Peels & Vinegar. Place the orange peels (or other citrus) into your jar. Add rosemary or cloves for extra scent. Cover completely with vinegar.
  2. Infuse for 1–2 Weeks. Seal the jar and store in a cool, dark place. Let the natural oils from the citrus infuse into the vinegar.
  3. Strain. After 1–2 weeks (or longer if you forget!), strain the liquid to remove peels and any debris.
  4. Optional Essential Oils. Add 5–10 drops of your favorite essential oil (e.g., lemon, clove, cinnamon). Shake gently to mix.
  5. Dilute. Use roughly a 1-1 ratio of water to your vinegar infusion. Transfer the vinegar solution into clean spray bottle halfway, then top off with water.
  6. Store. Store any extra infused vinegar in a cool, dark space. To maintain potency and avoid mold, do not dilute before long-term storage.

How to Use Your DIY All-Purpose Cleaner

  • Spray directly onto most non-porous surfaces (countertops, stainless steel, bathroom tiles, etc.). Avoid using on natural stone (granite, marble) or unfinished wood—vinegar can etch or damage these surfaces.
  • Wipe clean with a cotton cloth or reusable rag. I usually avoid microfiber as it can leach microplastics into your laundry and wastewater. If you love your microfiber, consider a special laundry filter (like a Guppyfriend bag or microfiber filter) to catch those microplastics.

Notes

This vinegar-based cleaner works great on most non-porous surfaces like countertops (laminate, stainless steel), bathroom fixtures, and sealed tiles. However, avoid natural stone (granite, marble) and unfinished wood, since vinegar’s acidity can etch or damage those surfaces over time.

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