(Image courtesy of Muffet)
Green living starts at home and what better way to do something good for yourself (and the environment) than by cleaning your apartment! Many of the cleaners we commonly use to clean our homes often contain a myriad of harsh chemicals that can cause health issues if we are over-exposed to them.
To kill germs without risking exposure to chemicals like bleach and ammonia, consider making your own citrus based cleaners. Using the simple steps found in this article and just a little patience, you can make your own (great smelling) cleaning agent that you don’t need to worry about!
What You Need:
Materials
- Citrus Peels (I used a combination of navel orange and clementine)
- Distilled White Vinegar
- Water (optional)
- Airtight Glass Container
- Spray Bottle
- Tools
- Measuring Cup
- Strainer
1. Collect citrus peels and store them in an airtight glass container.
Note: citrus fruits contain d-limonene, a natural solvent that chemically reacts with oil to break it down.
2. Once your container is full, cover the peels with white vinegar.
3. Date your jar, and let it sit for about 2 weeks.
Note: when ready, the vinegar should have a strong citrus odor and be yellowish in color.
4. Strain the peels.
5. Dilute with water if you so desire.
The concentration depends on your intended use and preference. I used a 1:1 ratio.
6. Pour into a spray bottle and use.
While I have been using it mostly in my kitchen to clean up stove top grease, this makes for a great, all purpose cleaner.
0comments:
Post a Comment