Hello, homemaker!
There are a few things in our home that I no longer throw away, and citrus peels are one of them.
For a long time, I didn’t think much about orange, lemon, or lime peels after using them. They went straight into the trash without a second thought. But as I started leaning more into a simple homesteading mindset and becoming more intentional about what we bring into our home, I began looking at “waste” a little differently. Now, instead of tossing those peels, I save them to make one of my favorite homemade staples: a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner.
I’ve been trying to swap chemical cleaners for homemade alternatives whenever I can, and this is one of the easiest switches I’ve made. It works really well, smells fresh and clean, and costs next to nothing to make. That alone is enough reason for me to love it. But beyond that, I also appreciate what it teaches my child.
It also opens the door for a bigger conversation with my boy. I'd ask him questions like: Why do we need to keep buying bottles filled with harsh chemicals? Why are we bringing more plastic into the house over and over again? Why not use what we already have?
This citrus peel cleaner may be simple, but for me, it represents something bigger: learning to live with less waste, fewer toxins, and more intention.
Why I Started Making My Own Cleaner
Like many moms, I used to grab whatever cleaner was easiest at the store. It was convenient, familiar, and honestly just what everyone seemed to use. But over time, I started paying more attention to labels and ingredients. The more I learned, the more uncomfortable I felt about using strong chemical products on the counters where we prepare food, the tables where my child eats, and the surfaces we touch every single day.
Store-bought cleaners also come with a hidden cost beyond the price tag. Not only are many of them loaded with ingredients I’d rather avoid, but they also come in new plastic bottles every time. When you start noticing how much waste is tied to everyday household products, it’s hard to unsee it.
That shift in thinking is what led me to homemade cleaners.
I wanted something effective, affordable, and simple. I didn’t want a complicated recipe with ingredients I’d have to order online. I wanted to use things I already had at home. Citrus peels fit perfectly into that kind of lifestyle.
Why Citrus Peels?
If you’ve ever peeled an orange or squeezed a lemon, you already know how fragrant citrus is. Those peels hold natural oils that smell amazing and help cut through grease and grime. Instead of throwing them away, I save them in a jar and let them become something useful.
That’s one thing I love most about homemaking with a homesteading mindset. It teaches us to look at everyday things differently. What once seemed like scraps become useful again. Citrus peels are no longer trash in our kitchen. They’re part of a homemade cleaner that helps keep our home fresh without relying on store shelves.
It feels good to use something natural, practical, and inexpensive. It feels even better knowing that I’m getting one more use out of something that would have otherwise been wasted.
Homemade Citrus Peel All-Purpose Cleaner
This cleaner is about as simple as it gets. There’s no fancy method and no expensive ingredients. You just need a little patience while it infuses.
What You Need
- Citrus peels from oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruits
- White vinegar
- A large glass jar with a lid
- A spray bottle
- Water
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
How to Make It
- Fill a glass jar with your saved citrus peels.
- Pour white vinegar over the peels until they are completely covered.
- Put the lid on and let the mixture sit for about 2 to 3 weeks.
- Once it has infused, strain out the peels.
- Pour the citrus vinegar into a spray bottle and dilute it with equal parts water, or adjust to your preference.
That’s it. You now have a homemade all-purpose cleaner that is simple, frugal, and naturally fresh-smelling.
How I Use It Around the House
This is one of those homemade products I reach for again and again. I use it on kitchen counters, the dining table, cabinet fronts, the outside of appliances, and other everyday surfaces that need a quick wipe-down.
It does a great job cutting through light grease and grime, and I love the clean citrus scent it leaves behind. It makes cleaning feel a little less like a chore and a little more satisfying.
Of course, like any vinegar-based cleaner, I avoid using it on natural stone surfaces like granite or marble. But for many common household cleaning jobs, it works beautifully.
Why I Prefer This Over Store-Bought Cleaners
There are so many reasons this cleaner has earned a permanent place in our home.
1. It’s inexpensive
This is one of the cheapest homemade cleaners you can make. The citrus peels are something I already have from fruit we eat, and vinegar is affordable and easy to keep stocked in the pantry.
2. It reduces waste
Instead of throwing away citrus peels, I use them for something practical. And because I refill the same spray bottle over and over, I’m also cutting down on plastic waste.
3. It smells naturally fresh
I really enjoy the scent of this cleaner. It doesn’t have that overpowering artificial smell that many commercial cleaners have. It just smells clean, bright, and natural.
4. It supports a healthier home environment
I’ve become more mindful about what we use inside our home, especially in the areas where we cook, eat, and gather. Swapping harsh chemical cleaners for homemade alternatives is one small way I can make our home feel gentler and more intentional.
Teaching Our Kids Through Everyday Homemaking
One of my favorite parts of making simple things at home is being able to involve my child in the process and explain the “why” behind it.
Homemaking isn’t just about keeping a clean house. It’s also about shaping the atmosphere of our home and passing down values in everyday routines. When my child sees me save citrus peels instead of throwing them away, mix up a homemade cleaner, and refill the same bottle again, it becomes a lesson without needing a formal lecture.
It teaches that not everything has to come from a store.
It teaches that convenience is not always the best option.
It teaches that we can care for our home in ways that are both practical and thoughtful.
And it opens up important conversations about the products we buy. Many store-bought cleaners are filled with chemicals that I’d rather avoid when possible, and every bottle usually means more plastic coming into the house. These may seem like small choices, but small choices add up over time.
I want my child to grow up seeing that there are often simpler, better ways to do things.
A Simple Homemaking Habit That Adds Up
I think that’s what I love most about this cleaner. It’s not complicated. It’s not expensive. It’s not trendy. It’s just one small homemaking habit that makes sense.
Saving citrus peels, steeping them in vinegar, and turning them into something useful may seem simple, but that’s often where the beauty of homesteading-inspired living begins. It starts with small choices. Small habits. Small shifts in perspective.
Little by little, those choices create a home that feels more peaceful, less wasteful, and more aligned with what matters.
This homemade citrus peel cleaner is one of those changes for me. It helps me avoid unnecessary chemicals, cut back on plastic, save money, and make use of something that would have otherwise been thrown away. That’s a win all around.
Looking for More Homemade Ideas?
Feel free to browse around for more homemade ideas and get inspired!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been wanting to replace some of your store-bought cleaners with homemade alternatives, this is such an easy place to start. It’s simple, effective, budget-friendly, and a lovely fit for a homesteading lifestyle.
In our home, citrus peels are no longer just scraps. They’ve become part of the rhythm of homemaking—using what we have, wasting less, and caring for our home in a more natural way.
And honestly, that kind of simple living is something I never get tired of.
Equipment
- 1 A large glass jar with a lid
- 1 A spray bottle
- 1 Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
