DIY Homemade Nontoxic Counter Spray Cleaner

The clocks have sprung forward, the days are longer, and I’m in a Spring Cleaning state of mind (let’s face it, it could also be the nesting)! Especially during this time preparing for baby, I was shocked to find out what’s hidden in a lot of our everyday products. So, I’ve been on a mission to slowly rid our home of toxic cleaners and cosmetics. When I set out to research natural cleaners, I quickly realized it’s much easier and simpler than I thought to make your own! I wished I had been doing this all along!

So, to start my foray into homemade cleaning products, I thought I would share what I made – a DIY nontoxic counter spray cleaner that is very versatile!  Apparently, natural “orange cleaner” has been a Pinterest sensation for a while, but this was my first time hearing about it! If you, like me,  haven’t given it a whirl yet, this post is for you!

To make the cleaner you will need:

• A mason jar (I used a large 16 oz. jar to make my first batch and it yielded enough cleaner for my two spray bottles)
• Citrus peels (feel free to mix lemons, grapefruit, oranges, clementines, but for my batch I used clementines)
• Distilled white vinegar
• Spray bottles (These are the exact ones I used. I loved them because they have the chalkboard labels and marker included!)
• Essential oils (optional, but I used about 10 drops of clove oil in my batch. I want to try rosemary next time!)

It’s as easy as this:

Fill your mason jar with as many citrus peels as you can fit. Then top it off with vinegar to the brim! Seal the jar.

Now we wait… The mixture will take about two weeks stored in the cupboard in order for the citrus oils to infuse with the vinegar and create a cleaning concentrate. I set a reminder on my phone for two weeks later so I wouldn’t forget.

After the two weeks, strain the vinegar into a pyrex with a spout (this just makes it easy to transfer into your bottle.) It should be a bright yellow color.

 

Mix one part vinegar solution with one part water. I just eyeballed half my spray bottle with the solution and then topped it off with water. Add your essential oils and shake.

 

I was able to fill both of my spray bottles and instantly ordered more bottles because I want to try other concoctions! The marker that comes with the chalkboard labels works well with a couple layers of inking. A chance to add some pretty hand lettering to your kitchen supplies – love it!

I’ve been using this cleaner for a couple weeks now and I think it works great! It leaves behind a pleasant smell despite the vinegar. I use this as a counter spray, but it really is an all-purpose cleaner that you could use for any number of tasks! A little disclaimer: I did read online that you should exercise caution when using the spray on granite or marble countertops, stone flooring, hardwood floors, and painted surfaces as it is an acidic cleaner. (My countertops are a faux marble, so it works great for me!)

I can’t wait to try my hand at other cleaning solutions like a dusting spray! I’ll be sure to share if I do. Let me know if you try this and what you think!

The print pictured here was just released with our Spring Kitchen print collection! Find the prints here to give your kitchen art a Spring refresh, too!

Happy Spring Cleaning!