Don’t Toss Citrus Peels—Use Them To Make A Natural Cleaner

I used to toss my orange and lemon peels in the trash without a second thought. After all, what good are they once the fruit is gone? Turns out, I was throwing away something surprisingly useful: a natural cleaner that actually works.

If your kitchen counter sees more crumbs than a bakery floor, or your sink smells a little… suspicious, this citrus peel trick will come in handy. It’s simple, smells great, and helps cut down on waste. Plus, you only need two ingredients.

Let me show you how I turn leftover peels into a cleaning powerhouse.

Why Citrus Peels Are Cleaning Gold

Citrus peels are packed with oils that naturally fight grease and grime. They also smell a whole lot better than store-bought cleaners with names you can’t pronounce.

Lemon, orange, grapefruit—doesn’t matter. The peels have natural cleaning power that can shine up surfaces and freshen the air without all the fake stuff. And the best part? You’re getting double use out of something you already bought.

How To Make Citrus Peel Cleaner

This is the easiest cleaner I’ve ever made. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Citrus peels (lemon, orange, lime, or whatever you’ve got)
2. White vinegar
3. A mason jar with a lid
4. A spray bottle.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Save your peels – I keep a jar on the counter and toss in peels after I eat or juice citrus.
2. Fill with vinegar – Once the jar is halfway full of peels, I pour in white vinegar until the peels are completely covered.
3. Let it sit – I screw on the lid and leave it for 1–2 weeks. The longer it sits, the better it works.
4. Strain and pour – After it’s done steeping, I strain out the peels and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. That’s it!

You can use it on countertops, in the sink, on stovetops, or anywhere else that needs a good wipe. Just skip natural stone like granite or marble—vinegar and stone don’t mix.

It Works, It’s Cheap, and It Smells Amazing

This cleaner cuts through grease, leaves my kitchen smelling fresh, and costs basically nothing. It’s also a great way to reuse something that would’ve gone straight into the trash.

And no, it doesn’t leave everything smelling like a salad. It smells clean, citrusy, and just plain better than whatever is hiding under the kitchen sink right now.

So next time you eat an orange, don’t toss those peels. Turn them into something useful instead.