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Easy Non Toxic (and cheap!) Multi-purpose cleaner

Have you ever read the label of a multipurpose cleaner and thought there’s a whole lot of warnings on this thing… My goodness there has to be a safer product out there. And there are I’m sure, but most of them cost a fortune. Luckily there is a simple (and cheap!) answer to this dilemma. This easy multi-purpose cleaner with just three easy affordable ingredients has been my go to cleaner for about the last two years.

easy Multi-purpose cleaner

Since I did not grow up caring about non toxic cleaning strategies or even how to keep house, all of this information was new to me. I had no idea the power of vinegar. (Or baking soda! Check out this post on how to use baking soda to clean your enameled cast iron pots and pans).

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This easy multi-purpose cleaner is made up of vinegar, water, and lemons or oranges. So simple, so easy and so cheap. That’s a win, win, win in my book! And the best part is I get a fresh batch of lemonade out of it. Is there anything better than fresh squeezed lemonade?

How to make multi-purpose cleaner

All you have to do is buy a bag of fresh lemons or oranges, cut them up, squeeze out the juice and stick the rinds in a 64 ounce mason jar. Fill that mason jar up with white vinegar (5% acidity) and let it sit for about two weeks. Fill a spray bottle like this one up with half of the lemon vinegar mixture and half water (distilled is best). Store the rest in a glass jar for easy refilling. I just purchased these pour spouts for my cream and homemade elderberry syrup, but I bet they’d also help when it’s time to refill your spray bottle.

bottle of white vinegar on kitchen counter

That’s it! I told you it was easy. Make some yummy lemonade with that fresh squeezed lemon juice and enjoy a glass while you cross ‘make non toxic multi-purpose cleaner’ off your to-do list.

How to use Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Spray the cleaner onto a towel and then wipe the soiled surface clean. Use this non toxic multi-purpose cleaner on vanities, toilets, bathtubs and showers (as long as it’s not made out of stone). It is my favorite bathroom cleaner, tabletop cleaner, and disinfectant. Many people use this type of cleaner on windows and mirrors as well.

Things to avoid when using Vinegar to clean

While this cleaner has many amazing qualities there are some types of materials you should avoid using it on because of its acidic properties. You should avoid using it on stone countertops like marble or granite. Wood floors, aluminum, copper, and appliances or items that have rubber parts that the vinegar would touch should also be avoided. The acidity in the vinegar can etch and damage these surfaces over time.

Multi-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Ingredients

Items Needed

Directions

  1. Roll lemons or oranges with the palm of your hand on counter applying slight pressure to loosen up juice
  2. Cut fruit and juice. Store juice for other use.
  3. Place rinds in 64 ounce mason jar
  4. Fill mason jar with fruit rinds with white vinegar so it covers rinds
  5. Cover mason jar with lid
  6. Let sit on your counter for about two weeks
  7. Drain vinegar and remove rinds
  8. Fill glass spray bottle with half vinegar mixture and half water (distilled is best)
  9. Store remaining mixture in glass jar to refill spray bottle as needed
  10. Use spray bottle to clean soiled surfaces

Easy Non Toxic (and cheap!) Multi-purpose cleaner

Easy non toxic multi-purpose cleaner is made with only three ingredients. This cleaner is not only much safer to use but very affordable.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time20 minutes
Resting Time14 days

Equipment

  • 1-2 64 ounce Mason jar For lemon rinds
  • 1 32 ounce Mason jar To store leftover cleaner
  • 1 16 ounce glass spray bottle

Materials

  • White Vinegar 5% acidity
  • 1 bag Fresh lemons (or oranges) 8-12 lemons
  • Water Distilled is best

Instructions

  • Roll lemons or oranges with the palm of your hand on counter applying slight pressure to loosen up juice
  • Cut fruit and juice. Store juice for other use.
  • Place rinds in 64 ounce mason jar.
  • Cover mason jar with lid.
  • Let sit on your counter for about two weeks.
  • Drain vinegar and remove rinds.
  • Fill glass spray bottle with half vinegar mixture and half water (distilled is best)
  • Store remaining mixture in glass jar to refill spray bottle as needed.
  • Use spray bottle to clean soiled surfaces.

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