We tried making our own citrus cleaner with grapefruits off the trees in the back yard while we residing in Georgia.
1. Strain about a bag of grapefruits.
2. Strain out the pulp.
3. Until you have pure grapefruit juice.
4. Add enough vinegar to cover the grapefruit rinds.
5. Place in an air tight container for a few weeks.
6. It cleaned well and smelled like…..well, citrus-y vinegar. Use it up fairly quickly because it will sour.
We made grapefruit juice with the rest and gave away bags full of grapefruit to anyone who would take them. I miss those trees!
Flavorful citrus articles:
- Ramping Up Your Vinegar Based Cleaner (mommyfoulmouth.wordpress.com)
- Lovely, lovely grapefruits… (romanlosangelez.wordpress.com)
- DIY Dishwasher Rinse Aid Recipe: How to Make Your Own Citrus Vinegar (doitnowandgreen.wordpress.com)
- Grapefruit! Pulp Non-Fiction! (foodsfromspain.wordpress.com)
- “Waste Not” or Citrus Guilt (mydailycompost.com)
Attempting zero waste lifestyle in a military household 
What do you clean with it…just floors, cookers, sinks and bath sort of things…windows?
Yes, you can clean just about anything with it. Toilets, etc. it’s really just vinegar and the juice makes it smell good. Never tried it on the windows, though vinegar works wonders on windows, I’m thinking the juice might leave streaks….
No windows. Can’t remember if I ever mentioned that. Just the bathroom sink and toilet really.
I made a cleaner with orange rinds last year, but thought it smelled horrible – maybe I left it too long and it soured. I should give it another try then.
Heidi, we did the same thing. We left it too long and it smelled like sour grapefruit. I just thought it was supposed to smell like that. We used it up real fast though. Maybe try it less time but if that doesn’t work, can it. We’ll just have to come up with another one!
Ha, I do the same only with lemon and orange zests.
They say that the most cleaning power have pineapple rind if used for this purpose. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m planning !
Ohhh. I have some of these and have no idea what to use them for. You just solved my problem Miss Ewa.
awesome!!! 🙂
I swear by cold-pressed orange oil. It’s my go-to spot cleaner. And everything smells so fresh and clean afterward! I only use vinegar for cleaning water hardness (soaking sprayers, aerator screens, removing water spots, etc.) Never thought of the combination of the two.
Shannon, where can I find this cold-pressed orange oil?
I find it at the local organic gardening store. But I looked it up on Amazon: “Medina orange oil,” 32-oz for $15. Or you can make your own. (http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Orange-Oil-Recipe_vq1585.htm). There are recipes on-line for many uses with orange oil. The fire ant remedy is the BEST. Keeps them out of my garden areas.
Thanks Shannon!
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have you thought of making a cat repellent out of it: zap citrus rinds in just enough water to pulse the blender; spread the resulting liquid wherever pets and stray wildlife wish to establish dominion in your garden or whatever outdoor space you have. added bonus, it repels termites and ants as well.
a fruitful new year to you..
Nadine, it’s amazing the things you come up with. I need the cats around here though to get rid of the mice!! Ha!
I hope things are ok – it’s been a while since you blogged, i just realised. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (belatedly) to you!
I appreciate you checking in on me! I sent you a little email.
We’re good here just too busy to write lately. Augh!