From the page: The whole orange has a purpose
Idea 5
Citrus household cleaner
Orange peels hold essential oils rich in limonene, a natural solvent that dissolves grease and grime. Our grandmothers already left marinade peels steeping in alcohol and vinegar to clean the house — the chemistry does the heavy lifting, with no industrial product at all.
What you need
- Peels from 3 to 4 oranges (the fresher, the more oil)
- White distilled vinegar
- A glass jar with a lid
- A spray bottle
- A straining cloth or clean dish towel
How to make it
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1
Gather the peels in the glass jar, packing them in well, because it's from them that the oil comes, which will give the cleaner its power.
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2
Cover everything with vinegar until the peels are submerged and close the lid — vinegar is acidic and helps extract the limonene from the peel.
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3
Store the jar in a dark place for 10 to 15 days, shaking every 2 or 3 days to spread the oil released into the liquid.
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4
Strain the liquid with the cloth and give the peels a new purpose in the compost bin or plant pot, where they will still fertilize.
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5
Mix one part of the scented vinegar with the same amount of water in the spray bottle — diluting keeps the smell from being too strong and makes it go further.
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6
Spray on countertops, stovetop, sink and tiles and wipe with a cloth: the grease comes loose without much scrubbing.
Finishing touches
For a more powerful version against burnt-on grease, use grain alcohol in place of part of the vinegar. A few cloves or a piece of cinnamon in the jar give the product a warm fragrance.
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