Orange Peel Vinegar
My kids adore oranges. But, what do you do with all those peels? At first, I start freezing them to make my own orange peel zest. But after the 10th orange, I couldn’t figure out what else to do with them. Leona McEachern of My Healthy Green Family gave me a great idea on how to make my own orange scented vinegar cleaning spray.
Vinegar is my #1 cleaner. It disinfects, reduces smells, mold, and removes calcium build-up. I can’t stop gushing about how much I love vinegar. (For 1001 uses for vinegar, see here.) But I honestly don’t love the smell. Adding the orange peels to the vinegar is going to give it that wonderful citrus smell I love.
Talk about delish smelling. So, simple too.
Recipe:
- Start to store your orange peels. You can put in the freezer if you like. When you have enough, put them in a glass jar. (Note, you add lemon peels too.)
- Fill the jar up with White vinegar and let it sit for 2 weeks. (Updated to reflect that I am using *white* vinegar.)
- Put it on your countertop so you can admire it. So, beautiful. (You can feel like Martha.) Oh, and you might want to take the old jar peel off, unlike my jar…
- After two weeks strain the liquid.
- Put peels in the composter. (Unless you have any other ideas, I am all ears.)
- Mix water with the vinegar in a ratio of 2:1.
- Use and enjoy.
I am thinking of starting to save the peels to make my own birthday and holiday gifts. Wouldn’t that be a great teacher’s gift?
Other ideas:
- Check out how to make your own citrus scrub (thrivefarm.wordpress.com)
- Also, how to make your own orange peel syrup (daysontheclaise.blogspot.com)
Join the Conversation:
- What are some of your ideas on how to use orange peels?
- Have you used this idea before?
- Do you make your own orange peel zest?
Kristina (The Greening of Westford) says
I have done this with lemon peels! Absolutely LOVE it!!!!! I am currently infusing vinegar with grapefruit peels. It’s only been a week and it smells great.
Malena says
I’m also doing grapefruit peels!
Anna@Green Talk says
I love the smell, Malena. Which one do you like better grapefruit or orange? Anna
Joseph Connor says
Hi there,
What am awesome thing to show the world. I am all about living healthy and organic. You have provided my wife and I with something we will absolutely use. Thank you for the great post. Looking forward to reading more and bookmarking this site… 🙂
PrudenceLee says
Do you know that vinegar can also heal wounds? Now I’m so amazed with other usage of vinegar! I didn’t know that it can be used as disinfectant too!
Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’ll definitely follow this.
Jazmine says
I love baking soda and peroxide. You make a paste out of the two products, rub it on then rinse. It even takes the dark baked on off your pots . I used it on my cupcake pans before the holidays and they look “almost” new. Also used it to clean my oven.
Anna@Green Talk says
Jazmine, I tried once baking soda and vinegar to clean my oven. OMG, what a mess. I will have to try your idea. Anna
Born25 says
Helpful post! We can’t deny vinegar is way around. And now, it’s a one way help to our house chores. Can’t wait to share this to my mom and help her make this. 🙂
debwitter says
If you dry orange peels completely, (you can speed the drying process by baking in an oven) and store in a glass jar they can be used as a healing tea for sickness. This tip came from a friend who grew up in Trinidad. This remedy is used for colds and flu. Now as part of my home remedy kit I always have a large amount of dried orange peels. Because of pesticides we only use organic oranges for this purpose.
Note: this does not work with grapefruit peels.
Katie says
I’ve dried citrus peels (works best if you bake them) and use as kindling in the fireplace/campfire–smells great. I wonder if it’d still work after the vinegar soak…I’ll try it next time!
Anna@Green Talk says
Katie, that sound wonderful. I bet you can also use them in a satchel. Anna
Anna@Green Talk says
Dedwitter, how do you make tea with them? Anna
Deborah Naugler says
This turned out wonderful. The venegar smell is completly gone. Now for using it. As a natural nut I can’t wait to bottle and spray. This is one of the best natural products I have found to make as a cleaner!!!!
Anna@GreenTalk says
Deborah, I have started a little “store,” since people ask me for the spray!!! Great idea for teacher gifts. Anna
Sara says
ALL EARS??
OK.
put a small hand full in your garbage disposal with 1/2 c of ice and a couple tsps of salt. BEST DARNED garbage disposal cleaner ever. I do this all the time with the peels and cuts of lemon from squeezing for a marinade. So why wouldn’t the peels with the vinegar be better.
Sprinkle them in your garden and discourage pests, gophers, cats, and other creatures with very strong sense of smell. (not tested yet, just seems to make sense)
take one or two pieces of the vinegar soaked lemon or orange peel, and wipe down the base boards, door frames and anywhere else ANTS are coming in at. (Just did this morning. I will report back)
I read a blog a minute ago that says to re-use them and start another jar, you can use them twice before they are done giving up the good stuff.
Thank you.
Celia says
Can anyone tell me if you used Apple Cider Vinegar, or just white?
thanks :~)
Katie says
I LOVE apple cider vinegar (especially mixed with water for a facial toner), but for this application I use white vinegar.
Anna@Green Talk says
Thanks Katie,
You beat me too it. Yes, I use white vinegar. Katie, what’s your recipe on facial toner? Does it matter dry, oil, or normal skin? Anna
Katie says
Anna, I tend to just eyeball my toner recipe. I would guess it’s about a 3:1 ratio of water to vinegar. Really 2:1, 1:1, or even straight vinegar is fine, but it’s pretty acidic so most people don’t like it straight. It should work for any skin type (apparently). I have friends with all skin types who like it. My skin tends to be a bit mixed with an oily T-zone. My mom has dry skin and likes it. And even my hubby got on board and uses it. He has oily skin–well, had oily skin. Ever since starting this he hasn’t had to worry about any more adult acne. Yay for him! I referenced this website http://www.skinacea.com/acne/a.....t-acv.html
the first time I made it. It has some helpful information on there too so I do recommend checking it out if you have any other questions. I don’t think I’ll ever stop making it and it’s dirt cheap…so even better!
snigdha ralli says
Actually, when you use vinegar on your skin, it’s always better to dilute it as it could cause a mild burn which is not ideal. 3:1 is a good ratio. It doesn’t matter what your skin type is as the vinegar just balances out your skin and doesn’t strip it of its natural oils.
Anna says
Thanks for the tip. Anna
Neil E Mac says
Have created several jars since first starting to make this wonderful cleaner after reading your post several months ago. I packed well a jar of peels, not unlike your own; and poured vinegar over them until completely covered. Even added more vinegar after a couple or three days when I discovered space in the bottle after the peels absorbed much of the vinegar.
After four weeks, after removing the peels, I poured the result into a spray bottle and filled the rest with water. Almost half and half. The cleaner worked fabulously; in fact, I used a spray bottle to spritz my floors and a regular old string mop to wipe them clean. Worked wonders, and the aroma was not the offensive odor of vinegar; but instead, was most pleasant on the nose. Not too shabby for an aging bachelor, yes? Visitors love the smell of my home. Thanks for your experiment. Hopefully, the world will awaken and use this eco-friendly product, too. Blessings & (((hugs)))
Anna@Green Talk says
Neil, you are my hero! I am glad you love the recipe. I tried it with grapefruit peels. Smells great! Anna
Becca says
Hi, can you clarify the 2:1 ratio? 2 vinegar: 1 water, or 1 water : 2 vinegar? Also, any thoughts on whether this would work using lavendar? Thanks for the recipe!
Anna@Green Talk says
Becca, sorry I missed your question. It is 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar solution. I don’t know if the vinegar would steep the lavendar. I think adding a few drops of essential lavender oil would be better. Let me know if you try it. Anna
Elisa says
I tried this with tangerine peels. It came out with a mucous-y texture and was musty-smelling after using it on my countertop. Did I do something wrong?
Anna@Green Talk says
Elisa, that is weird. Did you strain the liquid? Perhaps use a cheese cloth or coffee filter. I wonder if some of the skin stayed in the liquid. Those skins are alot thinner than lemon and grapefruits. Let me know. Anna
daniel bird says
Thanks for list. it’s abundant appreciated.
Shannon says
Would this encourage fruit flies in the summer?
(I always have tonnes of them and don’t want to make it worse!)
Anna@Green Talk says
I have a lid on it so no flies get in. I did it in the summer. Let me know if that happens. Anna
Becky Sunderman says
Can this be used on hardwood floors? Pergo floors? I really need to find a good cleaner for my floors that is both natural and inexpensive. Thanks
Anna@Green Talk says
Becky, I dilute my vinegar when using it on hardwood floors. I read as a rule that 1/2 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. I don’t see why you can’t use that same rule with the vinegar solution.
Let me know how you like using the solution on your floors. Anna
caroline says
Love this idea ,I have my first batch brewing ,
As a cancer patient /survivor I am especially concered with the amount of chemicals in our daily lives.
one of the tools I like best for cleaning is my Shark steam cleaner for hardwood ect ,I got the one with the lift off hand held portion as well. Combined with natural cleaners I can do the whole house with no chemicals.
Happy ,healtyhy cleaning to you !!! PS the Shark was not cheap but well worth it . A great money saver is making you own laundry detergent .
Cat Hill says
I wish that when you all post ingredients that you would be more clear for those who don’t know whether to use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. I know the difference but it was years before I could track down information that made sense. It’s like recipes that call for butter….but they don’t mention salted or unsalted. Some recipes do and I really appreciate that. Those who don’t get tossed. There are a lot of young people that read here and you can’t “ASS”ume that they know the difference.
Anna@Green Talk says
Cat, I will amend the recipe to be clear. My apologies.
Roxane says
Thank you fo this wonderful tip and great idea!
Anna@Green Talk says
Good luck and let me know how it goes. Anna
sheena says
Uggg, did this after I read that white vinegar was the way to go, will my apple cider work???
Anna@Green Talk says
Sheena, I honestly don’t know since apple cider has more of a smell. I don’t know if the orange peels will cancel out the smell. When you dilute it might make it smell better. Let me know how it works out. Anna
Katt says
grind the used peels in to a paste and use them as a hair mask table spoon in before you shampoo when uve been sweating all day does wonders 🙂
Anna@Green Talk says
Katt, tell me more. Do you wait until the peels are good and hard then whirl them in a food processor? How much do you use for the mask? Do you leave it on your hair for a few minutes? Anna
Mags says
What purpose does the hair mask have? Is it supposed to clarify, infuse vitamins for strengthening, make it shiny, moisturize, etc
Is it safe for chemically treated hair?
Will it alter my current color?
How long should it stay on?
ty
carol says
would love to read the whole article, but that floating toolbar is in the way
Anna@Green Talk says
Carol, are you on a mobile device?
Dreama says
I heard a rumor this cleaner removes hard water stains? Am I correct?
Anna@Green Talk says
Take a look at this article from the Washington Post. http://articles.washingtonpost.....hower-head. Vinegar by itself is suppose to take out hard water stains. Anna
Jennifer O says
I did this twice and both times the vinegar turned a brown color. Did I do something wrong or is that how it’s supposed to look?
Anna@Green Talk says
I looked at my solution in the kitchen which has been sitting in a glass jar sans the orange peels. Sure enough, it is a light brown. Kind of like a really light color broth. Is this what yours looks like? You can send me a pic. Anna
Simplepurebeauty says
What a great idea! I just wrote an article about apple cider vinegar and acne treatment. If you’re interested, you can read it on my blog: http://simplepurebeauty.com/na.....egar-acne/
Kristin says
Great post. This week over on Wildcrafting Wednesdays we’re hosting a special Hygiene Edition and this post would be perfect in the carnival. I’d love it if you would pop over and share this post with our readers.
http://www.herbanmomma.com
Anna@Green Talk says
Thanks for asking. I posted! (Spent a ton of time reading everyone’s articles.) Anna
snigdha ralli says
Hey, I’m wondering if adding baking soda to this would be a good idea? Typically, baking soda and vinegar cause a chemical reaction. Would it be a good addition especially for doing laundry?
Anna says
I wouldn’t since you are spraying it. The baking soda might clog the sprayer. Anna