How to Make Homemade Lemon Vinegar Cleaning Spray: Natural, Non-Toxic & Effective!
Last Updated on January 22, 2025
Got lemons? Hate chemicals and artificial fragrances? Try making your own non-toxic household cleaning spray solution! It only has two ingredients: lemon and vinegar. Actually, you can repurpose any type of citrus peels to make this cleaning spray. Orange, lime, lemon, grapefruit, or even a combination of a few.
Not only is this homemade lemon cleaner incredibly easy to make, it also serves the added benefit of repurposing spent citrus scraps instead of trashing them! This is one of our favorite uses for lemon rinds, along with making homemade lemon powder.
On its own, white vinegar provides natural but effective antimicrobial activity. It’s also very inexpensive. However, many people find the smell of white vinegar to be far too pungent and sharp to use as a cleaner on its own. That is where the lemon (or other citrus) come in! By infusing white vinegar with lemon peels, this cleaning spray takes on a fresh, citrusy, enjoyable scent. Furthermore, lemon has its own formidable cleaning powers too! Lemon is known to have natural anti-fungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, and deodorizing properties.
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Supplies Needed
- Lemon peels, or other citrus scraps – organic if possible!
- White vinegar (you could also substitute with over-brewed acidic kombucha vinegar!)
- A large glass jar or other container for steeping
- A spray bottle
- A fine-mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth
- Optional: fresh aromatic, antiseptic herbs such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, or mint
Directions
Step 1: Gather Lemon Peels
Collect your spent lemon rinds (or other citrus peels) in a large glass container. We typically use a half-gallon mason jar, but a pitcher, a couple of smaller jars, or even a vase would work! Also, it is definitely okay to have the membranes, pith, or seeds in there as well!
Our favorite time to create this cleaning spray is right after we make a large batch of our garden “Besto Pesto” – because we use a lot of our backyard Meyer lemons in the process! If you can’t collect your rinds all at once, that is fine too. Just keep the container of rinds in the refrigerator and add to it as you generate more.
If it is going to take you more than a week to build a nice little collection of citrus peels, I suggest adding a little white vinegar to your jar by day 6 or 7. Pour in enough to submerge the lemon or citrus peels. This will prevent the citrus from molding while you continue to add more. If you do this, you can keep the jar out on the counter instead of in the fridge.
The amount of citrus rinds you collect isn’t crucial. As you can see in the photos, we had almost a full half-gallon of spent, squeezed lemon halves! This will create a very lemony cleaning spray. Yet a lesser amount will do the job too! I suggest collecting at least a heaping handful. The more citrus you have, the more wonderful the smell will be.
Step 2: Soak and Wait
Once you have a good amount of lemon or citrus rinds collected, pour plain white vinegar into the container over them. Fill it all the way up, or at least until the peels are all submerged. Feel free to add a handful of fresh herbs (listed above) for increased natural aromatherapy and disinfecting power.
Soak the citrus in vinegar for at least one week, and up to three weeks. The container of steeping rinds can sit out on the counter at room temperature. To help encourage the infusion, you could give the container a shake every few days to mix things up.
Step 3: Strain and Bottle
After it has finished steeping, it is time to separate the lemon rinds from the vinegar. The liquid may be more cloudy, especially if you’ve been shaking or stirring it. We want to remove as many chunks and particles as possible, to avoid clogging the spray bottle!
Therefore, you could pour the entire concoction into a very fine-mesh strainer perched over a bowl to catch it, as shown below. Another option is to pour the solution through cheesecloth. It may be worthwhile to strain the mixture twice before bottling.
Either way, I like to squeeze and squish the citrus rinds a bit – ringing them out to extract as much vinegar and juice as possible.
Finally, pour the strained solution into a spray bottle. Grab a funnel if needed! We use these glass spray bottles, but you can also rinse and reuse any other spray bottle you have around! If there is extra, simply store it in a jar until your bottle needs a refill.
Some recipes say to dilute it by mixing it with equal parts water. If you want to increase the volume of your batch, feel free to add some water! However, based on my research, vinegar has the most effective disinfecting powers when it is used full-strength.
Step 4: Get Cleaning!
Check it out! You just created your own non-toxic citrus vinegar cleaning spray. Now you can clean and refresh your space. It really doesn’t “go bad” in the bottle – you’ll surely use it long before that is a concern.
See a list of uses as well as sensitive surfaces to avoid below!
How to Use Lemon Vinegar Cleaning Spray
We use this vinegar cleaning spray on our super-fancy 1970’s laminate kitchen counters, sinks, shower, toilets, bathtub, on tile, stainless steel appliances, inside the fridge, and other durable, sealed surfaces.
One of my favorite uses for it is to remove unwanted odors, such as that gross egg smell that seems to stay on plates and bowls, or to eliminate residual garlic and onion odor and flavor from cutting boards. In addition to sanitizing and deodorizing, vinegar is great at lifting stains, and sticky messes like sticker glue!
Spray it on, allow it to sit for a minute to reach its full antimicrobial potential, and then rinse or wipe away – such as with a damp sponge or cloth. For a deeper clean and stain removal, such as on shower grout, allow the vinegar cleaning spray to sit for up to ten minutes.
You can also add a splash into the dishwasher, or even in the washing machine to freshen up laundry. I especially love to add a splash with our gym clothes. Plain white vinegar can also be used to clean windows (even better than Windex!), yet the citrus may make it a little streaky.
Do Not Use Vinegar or Lemon on These Surfaces
Please note that vinegar and citrus are very acidic! Therefore, it is NOT recommended to use this vinegar cleaning spray on granite, marble, or other sensitive or porous stone surfaces. The acid can cause staining and etching to them.
We use it on our laminate “wood” floors, but would avoid using lemon vinegar on natural hardwood floors or wood furniture. On the other hand, we DO use this spray on our wood cutting boards. When in doubt, use caution and do some research on the surface in question before dousing it in lemon vinegar.
Now it’s time to take “garden to table” to a whole new level, and say goodbye to toxic chemicals in your home. I hope you found this tutorial useful and easy to follow. If so, please spread the love and leave a review below! See ya next time.
Lemon (Citrus) Vinegar Cleaning Spray: Homemade & Natural
Equipment
- A large glass jar or other container for steeping
- A spray bottle
- A fine-mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth
Ingredients
Instructions
Making Lemon/Citrus Vinegar Cleaning Spray
- Collect your spent lemon rinds (or other citrus peels) in a large glass container of choice. You can throw in just a handful, or fill the container up to halfway. (The more lemon rinds used, the more citrusy it will be! But you still want plenty of room for the vinegar)
- If you cannot collect all your citrus rinds at one time, either keep collecting them in the refrigerator over the course of 5 to 7 days. Any longer, store them in the freezer until you've collected the desired amount.
- Once you have a good amount of lemon or citrus rinds collected, pour plain white vinegar into the container over them. Fill it all the way up, or at least until the peels are all submerged. Feel free to add a handful of fresh herbs (listed above) for increased natural aromatherapy and disinfecting power.
- Soak the citrus in vinegar for at least one week, and up to three weeks. The container of steeping rinds can sit out on the counter at room temperature. To help encourage the infusion, you could give the container a shake every few days to mix things up.
- After it has finished steeping, it is time to strain the lemon rinds from the vinegar. We want to remove as many chunks and particles as possible, to avoid clogging the spray bottle! Therefore, you could pour the entire concoction into a very fine-mesh strainer perched over a bowl to catch it. Another option is to pour the solution through cheesecloth or reusable nut milk bag. It may be worthwhile to strain the mixture twice before bottling.
- Finally, pour the strained solution into a spray bottle. Grab a funnel if needed!
Using Lemon/Citrus Cleaning Spray
- Based on my research, vinegar has the most effective disinfecting powers when it is used full-strength. Thus, we do not dilute it with water. Vinegar is also most effective at killing bacteria if is is allowed to sit for several minutes before wiping up.
- Do clean: laminate kitchen counters, sinks, shower, toilets, bathtub, on tile, stainless steel appliances, inside the fridge, and other durable, sealed surfaces.
- Great for deodorizing: cutting boards, washing machines, inside the dishwasher, and dishes – especially to remove funky raw egg smell!
- DO NOT USE vinegar on: granite, marble, or other sensitive stone surfaces. We use it on our laminate “wood” floors and wood cutting boards, but would avoid using vinegar on natural hardwood floors or wood furniture.
Deanna Talerico
Deanna Talerico (aka DeannaCat) is a garden educator and writer with over 15 years experience in organic gardening. She is a retired Senior Environmental Health Specialist, and holds a M.A. in Environmental Studies and B.S. in Sustainability and Natural Resources.
107 Comments
Michelle
Love this! Always looking for useful ways to scrapes
Mindi Wynne
I made a jar of orange peel cleaner about a year ago, and then promptly forgot about it under the sink. It was a pleasant surprise when I found it a few weeks ago. Works great and doesn’t have the overpowering vinegar smell!
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Thanks for sharing Mindi!
Angel
What can you make with the leftover rinds once you finish soaking them?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Angel, we just discard the leftover rinds but you could possibly dehydrate the rinds if and when the vinegar smell dissipates from the rinds. You could still dehydrate them when they are soaked with vinegar but you will likely have some very vinegary air being pushed around. You could then use the dried citrus peels in simmer pots during the fall and winter months. Hope that helps and good luck!
Elyse Olaussen
i can`t wait to try this.i wanted to know about using in dishwasher , I have hard well water and i am trying to get away from buying cleaners and I am an
animal cruelty free advocate so this is the way to go . THANK YOU ( and all the lab tortured animals thank you also )
Ashley P.
Can you make this cleaner with lemons that have been zested?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Ashley, absolutely!
Abby
Is a metal canning lid and ring safe to use?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Abby, the vinegar will likely corrode the lids with time, some people will add a piece of parchment paper over the top before securing the lid to cut down on the vinegar to metal contact. You can also get a pack of plastic lids for your mason jars as well. Hope that helps and good luck!
Margie
Sounds great! Can I put leftover rinds in the disposer to freshen it as well or is the vinegar too acidic?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Margie, we have put leftover citrus rinds down the disposal to freshen up the drain but make sure you don’t overload it as disposals can have a hard time if you put too big of a rind down the drain. If you have a septic tank, you want to limit the amount of acidity or other items you put down the drain but if you are hooked up to a city sewer system, it shouldn’t have much of an impact overall. Hope that helps and good luck!
Kyra
I am gonna try it! Question.. for how long can I keep te cleaner? Do you have to use the whole bottle within a couple of weeks?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Kyra, since the cleaner is mostly vinegar, it will last for quite some time, likely longer than it will take you to go through it. Hope that helps and good luck!
Stacyk
How long can this cleaner last once made? Excited to try
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Stacyk, this cleaner will last indefinitely or at the very least, as long as it takes you to use it being that the vinegar is a natural preservative. Hope that helps and good luck!
dan
Ironically, I thought of this last week.
The cooktop I clean with mainstream cleaners leaves a residue that becomes part of my flour tortillas.
Probably not a good thing.
Most importantly, Merry Christmas to you both.
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Dan, Happy holidays to you and keep those cleaners away from your flour tortillas, haha.
Bonnie Newman
I have been making this citrus vinegar for about a year now and love it! Previously, I made a cleaning spray with vinegar, water and essential oils. Now, I use the citrus vinegar instead of plain vinegar. I also use the vinegar diluted with water to wash my produce. I love reusing the citrus rinds, and it makes everything smell great. Thank you for teaching me about citrus vinegar!
S
I’m excited to try this! Could you use fresh basil or is that not recommended?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi S, yes you can absolutely use fresh basil leaves to add to your vinegar infusion.
Mandy
Can’t wait to try! Question – can you use this to clean butcher block counter tops?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Mandy, yes you can, most suggest to spray the vinegar solution on the butcher block and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow it to sanitize before wiping off with a dry microfiber towel. Good luck!