I recently tried making my own homemade lemon cleaning oil, and after seeing how well it turned out, it made me want to try creating even more homemade cleaners using some of the simple fruits and plants we have around us every day.
So, here I am again, and this time I am going to show you how to make homemade orange peel cleaning spray.
I have tried this one for myself too, and I love how it turned out. One of the things I enjoy most about making homemade cleaners like this is finding another useful purpose for something I would normally throw away. Instead of tossing those orange peels into the trash, you can turn them into a simple cleaning product to use around your home.
There are different ways you can make an orange peel cleaning spray. Some recipes use vinegar, while others can be made without vinegar. In this article, I am going to show you a simple way to make your own homemade orange peel cleaning spray, along with some of the things you can use it to clean and the surfaces you should avoid using it on.
How to Make Homemade Orange Peel Cleaning Spray
1. Wash and completely dry the peels from 2 to 3 oranges. Make sure the orange peels are clean before placing them into your jar.
2. Cut the orange peels into smaller pieces. This will make them easier to fit inside the jar and give the liquid more contact with the peels.
3. Place the orange peels into a clean, dry glass jar. You do not need to pack the peels tightly. Simply place enough inside to loosely fill the jar.
4. Cover the orange peels completely with 70% rubbing alcohol. Pour in enough rubbing alcohol so that all of the orange peels are submerged, then tightly seal the jar.
5. Allow the orange peels to infuse for about 1 to 2 weeks. Keep the jar in a cool, dark place and gently shake it every few days.
6. Strain out the orange peels. Once the orange peels have finished infusing, pour the mixture through a fine strainer to remove all of the peels and any small pieces.
7. Pour the orange-infused liquid into a clean spray bottle. For a general household cleaning spray, dilute the orange-infused alcohol with an equal amount of water.
8. Close the bottle and gently shake it. Your homemade orange peel cleaning spray is now ready to use.
9. Label your bottle. Write “Homemade Orange Peel Cleaning Spray” and the date you made it on the bottle so you always know what is inside.
How to Make Homemade Orange Peel Cleaning Spray With Vinegar
Making your homemade orange peel cleaning spray with vinegar is simple. Follow the same steps in the recipe above, but replace the 70% rubbing alcohol with plain white vinegar. Place your clean orange peels in a glass jar, completely cover them with white vinegar, seal the jar, and allow the peels to infuse for about two weeks in a cool, dark place. Strain out the orange peels, then mix equal parts of the orange-infused vinegar and water in your spray bottle. That’s it! You now have another simple version of homemade orange peel cleaning spray to use around your home.
Just remember: Because this version contains vinegar, don’t use it on acid-sensitive surfaces such as marble, limestone, travertine, or other surfaces that shouldn’t be cleaned with vinegar.
What Can You Clean With Homemade Orange Peel Cleaning Spray?
Now that you have made your homemade orange peel cleaning spray, there are quite a few places around your home where you can put it to use.
I especially like this type of homemade cleaner for those quick everyday cleaning jobs where you want to remove light dirt, fingerprints, and grime while leaving the area looking clean and fresh.
Here are some things you can use it to clean:
- Sealed laminate countertops—Use it to wipe away light spills, fingerprints, and everyday grime.
- Stainless steel sinks – Wipe away fingerprints and light residue, then buff the sink dry with a clean cloth.
- Stainless steel appliances – It can be useful for removing fingerprints from compatible stainless steel refrigerators and appliances. Always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions first.
- Chrome faucets—Spray a small amount onto a microfiber cloth and use it to wipe away fingerprints and light grime.
- Ceramic bathroom sinks—Use it for everyday cleaning around suitable ceramic sinks.
- Glazed ceramic tiles – It can be used to wipe down compatible glazed tiles in the kitchen or bathroom.
- Sealed non-stone countertops—Try it for quick everyday cleaning on compatible sealed surfaces.
- Glass tables—A small amount can help remove fingerprints and smudges. Wipe the glass dry afterward to help prevent streaks.
- Mirrors—Use a small amount and immediately wipe the mirror dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Door handles and knobs – It can be handy for wiping away fingerprints and everyday grime from compatible surfaces.
- Plastic trash cans—Use it to wipe washable plastic areas as long as the plastic is safe for alcohol-based cleaners.
- Ceramic backsplashes – It can help remove light splatters and everyday kitchen grime.
- Shower glass—Use it for fingerprints and light residue, then buff the glass dry with a clean cloth.
- Outside of small kitchen appliances—Apply the cleaner to a cloth and wipe compatible exterior surfaces rather than spraying directly into controls or openings.
- Other washable hard surfaces—Always check the manufacturer’s instructions and test the spray on a small hidden area first.
What Should You Not Clean With Homemade Orange Peel Cleaning Spray?
Just because a homemade cleaner works well on one surface does not mean it should be used everywhere.
Since this homemade orange peel cleaning spray contains rubbing alcohol, there are certain materials and finishes where I would not use it.
Avoid using it on:
- Unfinished or unsealed wood—Alcohol can soak into the wood or affect its appearance.
- Finished wooden furniture unless alcohol is approved—Some varnishes, shellacs, stains, and finishes can become cloudy, dull, or damaged.
- Leather furniture and accessories—Alcohol can dry out leather and may cause discoloration.
- Television and computer screens—Certain screen coatings can be damaged by alcohol.
- Phone and tablet screens—Unless the manufacturer allows it, always follow the cleaning instructions for your particular device.
- Acrylic and Plexiglas – Alcohol can cause some acrylic materials to become cloudy, cracked, or damaged.
- Painted surfaces—Depending on the paint and finish, alcohol may dull, soften, discolor, or remove paint.
- Natural stone countertops—I would avoid using this cleaner on marble, granite, limestone, travertine, and similar surfaces unless the manufacturer specifically approves alcohol-based cleaners.
- Waxed furniture or floors—Alcohol can affect or remove some wax finishes.
- Delicate fabrics and upholstery—The spray may cause staining, fading, or discoloration.
- Carpets and rugs—Different fibers and dyes can react differently to alcohol, so I would not use this as a general carpet cleaner.
- Certain plastics and rubber—Repeated exposure to alcohol can damage or discolor some materials.
- Hot surfaces or areas near an open flame—Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so never spray this cleaner around candles, flames, a lit gas stove, or hot surfaces.
- Food and food-preparation items—Do not use this homemade spray as a replacement for properly washing or sanitizing dishes, utensils, cutting boards, or other food-contact items.
- Anything with care instructions that say not to use alcohol-based cleaners—always follow the manufacturer’s directions when they are available.
Heads-Up… It’s Not a Disinfectant
This homemade orange peel cleaning spray is meant for everyday cleaning, not for disinfecting or sanitizing.
Even though rubbing alcohol can be used in properly formulated disinfecting products, once you start adding orange peels and diluting the mixture with water, you no longer have a tested disinfecting formula.
I use this homemade spray for cleaning away light dirt, fingerprints, and everyday grime and for leaving surfaces looking fresh and clean. If you need to disinfect or sanitize something, use a product that is specifically made and labeled for that purpose.
Always Test Your Homemade Cleaner First
One simple rule I like to follow with any homemade cleaner is to test it first.
Before spraying your homemade orange peel cleaning spray over an entire surface, apply a small amount to an area that is not easily seen. Allow it to dry and check that there is no discoloration, dulling, or other damage.
Every surface and finish can react differently, so this quick little test can save you from accidentally damaging something in your home.
Final Thoughts
Isn’t it amazing how you can simply get up and make your own DIY homemade cleaner using something as simple as a fruit?
You have just learned how to make homemade orange peel cleaning spray, and now those orange peels do not always have to end up in the trash.
I hope you found this article helpful and that you enjoy trying this homemade cleaner around your home as much as I did. Keep coming back for more simple household cleaning tips, hacks, and tricks that can make everyday cleaning a little easier.
See you next time!
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