Cleaning is essential to maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment. However, the cleaning products bought from stores often contain chemicals that can damage our health and the environment. A better alternative comes in the form of homemade cleaners, particularly those made from citrus and baking soda. These cleaners are budget-friendly, environmentally friendly, toxin-free, and fresh-smelling. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to make a citrus and baking soda cleaner that is effective in removing stains, disinfecting surfaces, and leaving a fresh citrus scent around your house.
Before we get to the recipe, let’s install understanding around what makes citrus and baking soda excellent cleaning agents. Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges have acidic properties that can break down stains and dirt. Moreover, their zest contains a natural oil known as d-limonene, which repels insects and works as a powerful solvent that helps remove gummy substances or glue. On the other hand, baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a mild alkali that can dissolve dirt and grease in water, making it an excellent cleaning agent. Its granulated texture also offers mild abrasion that can be used to scour surfaces and remove tough stains.
### Step 1: Gathering the Materials
The first step in making this homemade cleaner involves gathering all materials. You will require the following:
1. Citrus Peels: You can use peels from any citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, or a mix of these. The peels from approximately five large fruits should suffice.
2. Baking Soda: This versatile ingredient can be found in any grocery store. You will need roughly a cup of baking soda.
3. White Vinegar: Its acidic nature helps boost the cleaning properties of this solution.
4. Glass jar with a lid: This will serve as the container for infusing the citrus in vinegar.
5. Spray Bottle: This will be the final container for your cleaner, making it easy to spritz onto surfaces.
6. Fine Mesh Sieve or Cheesecloth: You’ll need this to strain out the citrus peels once they’ve steeped long enough.
### Step 2: Citrus Peel Preparation
Start by saving and gathering peels from your favorite citrus fruits. You can store them in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator to prevent them from getting moldy as you collect enough for your cleaner. Once you have enough peels, about five pieces of large fruits, you can transfer them into the glass jar.
### Step 3: Infusing the Peels in Vinegar
Next, pour white vinegar into the jar until all the citrus peels are submerged. Tightly screw on the lid and leave the jar in a cool and dark place for about two weeks. This period allows the vinegar to infuse with the citrus oils, creating a strong, aromatic cleaning solution.
Remember to shake the jar every couple of days to allow better infusion.
### Step 4: Straining the Solution
After two weeks, the peels have infused enough citrus oils into the vinegar. You can unscrew the jar and strain the liquid using the cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve, removing the citrus peels. Pour the citrus-infused vinegar back into the jar, and it’s ready for the next step.
### Step 5: Mixing with Baking Soda
Into the spray bottle, pour one cup of baking soda. This creates a cleaning solution with grit that can scrub off more stubborn stains. Then, carefully pour your citrus-infused vinegar into the spray bottle, filling till it’s about two-thirds full. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, causing a fizz. Wait for the fizzing to settle before you screw on the spray top. Give the mixture a good shake to make sure that everything is well-incorporated.
And there you have it! An all-natural citrus and baking soda cleaner that is safe, effective, inexpensive, and easy to make.
### Protips On Usage
When using this cleaner, always give it a good shake before spraying to mix the contents well. You can use it as a kitchen cleaner to wipe down countertops, tables, and appliances. It works well in the bathroom to clean the toilet bowls, sinks, bathtubs, and shower. You can also use the mixture to clean oven tops and scrub off burned food residue. In case of durable fabrics or carpets, do a spot test before using the cleaner over a large area.
### Words Caution
Despite its beneficial cleaning properties, this citrus and baking soda cleaning solution should not be used on certain surfaces. The acidic nature of vinegar can damage stone surfaces like marble and granite. It can also damage waxed furniture and certain types of wood. The cleaner is also not recommended for electronic screens or anything with a lacquer finish.
By understanding the properties of baking soda and citrus fruits and how they interact, you can create an effective cleaner right within your home. This DIY citrus and baking soda cleaner not only helps keep your house clean and fresh but also reduces your chemical exposure and plays an essential role in maintaining a healthier lifestyle and preserving the environment.
