Orange Vinegar Cleaning Spray

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

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!

24 comments

  1. Does it have to be Blue Dawn? Not easily available in UK.

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. Well, I am sure you could try other dish washing soaps to see how they do. I've been told that it has to be blue Dawn, but to be honest, I've never tried any others to see. So, I say give it a try and see what happens! Appreciate your visit and comment :)

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  2. How great! Thank you for the instructions! I like the way people are moving away from the toxic stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the less toxic "stuff" around us, the better! :)

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  3. Replies
    1. You are welcome Marie, thank you for the visit :)

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  4. This is so lovely! Thanks for sharing it ♥

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    Replies
    1. I'm happy to share things that really work and are useful. Have a blessed day!

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  5. Hi Marilyn! I don't make my own cleaning products, so I admire you for your efforts. My husband absolutely adores the smell of oranges. We had a orange fragranced candle that he just loved, I know he'd really appreciate your recipe!
    I bet your house smells amazing :)
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That fresh orange smell is so wonderful to clean with, for sure! Appreciate your visit Ceil, have a blessed weekend!

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  6. Well, you are just so smart to have thought of that! A orange sent is so fresh and smells so clean! It feels so much better to use a natural cleaning project!
    Blessings, Roxy

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    Replies
    1. Natural cleaning products are wonderful, and since I've started making my own, I have saved a lot of money too! Hugs to you today Roxy :)

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  7. HI,
    yes, we make our own cleaning supplies. I use tea tree oil, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide mix. I love the smell of orange. I will be trying this recipe.
    Thank You,
    Carla

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    Replies
    1. Hydrogen peroxide is a great cleaner too, thanks for that reminder! Have a blessed weekend my friend!

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  8. That sounds like an amazing cleaner, the orange smell would be wonderful. I need to try this. Have a great weekend, Kelly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is very easy to make, inexpensive, and cleans just about anything. Highly recommend it :) Hugs to you today Kelly!

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  9. I do love fragrant cleaners like yours! I use good old hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.

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    Replies
    1. I like hydrogen peroxide too, it works great for any stains with blood. This cleaner is an overall great one to have for just about any stain. Appreciate your visit and comment as always, have a lovely weekend!

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  10. I used the citrus vinegar and water to clean with. I never thought about adding Dawn to it. One of the best oven cleaners I have found is sprinkling baking soda on the burn on yuck in my oven and them spraying it with the citrus vinegar. It bubbles and does most of the scrubbing action for me leaving me to just wipe it all up after it had sat for about 10 minutes. :)

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    Replies
    1. Yes, baking soda and vinegar work so amazingly together! I have also used them to clean my oven too, but I have found that this Dawn vinegar mix does the trick as well. I haven't found anything that it doesn't work on. Hugs to you today Debbie, have a blessed weekend!

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  11. Oh, this is wonderful! I started using the dawn/vinegar mix a while back, and it has become my standby cleaner, too. Adding the orange to it must make it just amazing!!! Come to think of it, I don't think I have bought another household cleaner since using the dawn/vinegar mix, either, except I do keep comet on hand for certain tough jobs. Do you know what I have come to rely upon for cleaning the bathrooms? A pumice stone! Oh, my word, if you have toilets that won't come clean, this absolutely does the trick. It does not scratch them at all. You can also use it on glass top stoves. It scrapes off the dirt and leaves the surface unharmed. I keep them on hand, at all times. They are amazing. It takes a lot of elbow grease along with it, but it is so worth it. Thank you for sharing about your orange peels...this is a wonderful idea. I love to clean! I know it is weird, but I just so enjoy the process and then seeing the final results and scent in our home. Sending you love and hugs, sweet friend. :)

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    Replies
    1. A pumice stone, wow, that sounds pretty hand to have. I bet it would work to clean the oven too. I'll have to pick up one of those just to have for cleaning, thanks for the great hint! I do enjoy cleaning, and having the house smell wonderful and fresh, I really cannot truly relax until my house is clean, lol! Love and hugs to you today dear friend, praying your weekend is blessed abundantly!

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  12. You are so creative! Your home must smell wonderful!

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    Replies
    1. There is something about citrus that really does make cleaning more fun, I think, lol! Hugs to you today :)

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