From the page: The kitchen's acid gold
Idea 7
Citrus cleaning tincture
Macerating citrus peels in alcohol is an old tradition of home alchemy: the essential oils in the peel are soluble in alcohol, not in water. The result is a fragrant, powerful disinfectant that gives a new purpose to that part of the lemon that almost always gets left behind.
What you need
- Peels of 4 to 6 lemons
- Grain alcohol or cleaning ethyl alcohol
- A dark glass jar with a lid
- A fine sieve
- A spray bottle
How to make it
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1
Wash the peels well and place them in the glass jar — the peel concentrates most of the fruit's essential oils.
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2
Cover completely with alcohol and close the jar — the alcohol is the vehicle that dissolves the aromatic and cleaning compounds.
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3
Store in a dark place for 7 days, shaking once a day — the movement aids extraction, and darkness preserves the aromas.
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4
Strain with the sieve and transfer to the spray bottle — add the peels to the compost or rinse them down the sink.
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5
Dilute with a little water, if you want a softer scent, and spray on countertops, doorknobs and surfaces.
Finishing touches
Add cloves, cinnamon or orange peels for a personalized fragrance. Keep it away from sunlight and heat to maintain its potency longer.
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