Orange Vinegar Cleaning Spray

Sometime ago, I found a recipe on Pinterest that most of you probably know about and use.  My family dubbed it the "vinegar stuff" but I think its official name is Blue Dawn Vinegar Spray, and it works to clean just about everything.  Since beginning to use this spray, I have not bought another bottle of cleaning spray for the home.  This stuff covers it all, amazingly!

Not too long ago, I looked at the pile of orange peelings that were piling up in the compost bin, and thought that surely there must be a better use for them than the compost pile.  So I gathered up orange peelings and when I had enough, I stuffed them into a jar and poured vinegar over them.

I let the orange peelings sit in the white vinegar for a week or so, until the vinegar began to turn a soft brownish color, which is the color in the jar above.



Then I strained the orange peelings...

And this was the resultant orange vinegar!  Oh it smelled heavenly!  It was so fresh and fragrant, I just wanted to clean my whole house with it!

And so what I did was "tweak" our beloved vinegar/dish soap/water recipe using my fragrant orange vinegar.  Oh my goodness!  Amazing! The strong vinegar smell is replaced with a powerful fresh fragrance instead... and if you need some inspiration to clean your house... this just might do the trick... {smiles}...

Orange Vinegar Spray

Fill a pint bottle with orange peelings.  Pour enough white vinegar over the peelings to cover.  Seal the bottle and put away in a dark place (I just covered mine with a dish towel) for about a week or two. When the liquid turns a light brown, it is ready to use.  Strain the peelings, and measure vinegar.

Add to your spray bottle a 1:1:1 ratio - vinegar/Dawn dish soap/water starting with vinegar, then Dawn, and ending with the water.  (For example: 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup blue Dawn dish soap, and 1/2 cup water).  Shake well.  (Note: If you want to make the spray disinfecting, you can add 1 tsp alcohol to your spray bottle.)

*Some people warm the vinegar just slightly before adding in the Dawn and water, and I've noticed that when I take the time to do that, it does seem to mix easier.  Not a necessary step, but one that can be done.

** Please note, one thing I have learned is that you need to use the BLUE Dawn dish soap, as there is something in the chemical formulation of the blue Dawn that works well with the vinegar.

This Orange Vinegar spray can clean a host of things. I use it in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry, and I have not found a formulated cleaner on the shelf of the grocery store that does a better job than this does.  I spray it on laundry stains, in the bathtub, toilet, sinks, on any carpet stains, and I also use it in the kitchen. I have separate spray bottles that I keep in the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen.  As with any cleaner, you should probably test in an inconspicuous area of carpet or clothing first.  

Do you have a favorite cleaning spray recipe that you like to use? If you do please share... or anything to make the cleaning-your-house chores easier!