Here is a step-by-step guide to making a homemade glass cleaner using white vinegar and orange peel which is easy, cost-effective, and gives excellent results.

I started cutting out chemical cleaning products over 20 years ago since they are a major source of toxins which pollute our homes and harm the aquatic life in our waterways.

The health risks associated with common toxic household cleaning products include:

• respiratory issues from ammonia, bleach, and Volatile Organic Compounds;
• Skin irritation;
• Eye irritation;
• Cancer and hormone disruption.

But as prices continue to rise natural glass cleaning products such as Method are around £4.50 for 800ml, so I was looking for a cheaper alternative without resorting to chemicals.

I knew that white vinegar was a good all-round natural cleaning product as it is a major ingredient in many natural brands, so I decided to experiment with ways of making it smell better.

My local veg box delivery contains three organic oranges per week, so I wanted a recipe to recycle the orange peel.  If you like a citrus smell you could also use lemon, grapefruit or lime peel according to what you have at home.  Alternatively, you can try different combinations of essential oils.

You can reuse an old plastic trigger bottle or buy a reusable bottle.  I bought a reusable glass bottle with a spray trigger from my local refill shop, Juniper on Lavant Street in Petersfield – https://www.juniperonline.co.uk

You will need:

• An air-tight jar;
• White vinegar;
• Orange peel;
• A sieve or muslin;
• Water (optional);
• Lemon or Lavender Essential Oil;
• A spray bottle.

Instructions:

Prepare the Orange Peel

Peel a couple of oranges and remove as much of the white pith as possible using a small knife or peeler, so as not to make the final liquid cloudy.

Infuse the Vinegar

Place the orange peel into a clean glass jar.

Fill the jar with white vinegar until the peel is completely submerged.

Seal the jar tightly with a lid.

Steep the Mixture

Let the mixture sit for at least two weeks in a cool, dark place. This allows the essential oils from the orange peels to infuse into the vinegar.

Strain the Mixture

After two weeks, strain the vinegar to remove the orange peels using a fine-mesh strainer, muslin, or cheesecloth.

Dilute (Optional)

If you find the vinegar too strong for your liking, you can dilute it with water. A common ratio is 1 part infused vinegar to 1 part water. However, for tougher cleaning jobs, you might prefer using it undiluted.

Add Essential Oils

Depending on the base of your mixture you can experiment with different essential oils.  With my orange base, I tried lemon and lavender.

Storage

Pour the strained (and possibly diluted) vinegar into a spray bottle.

Label the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place.

Using the Glass Cleaner

Spray the mixture onto glass surfaces.

Wipe with a clean, lint-free cloth or paper towel.

For best results, buff the glass with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.

Gently shake the bottle before each use to ensure the mixture is well combined.

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