If you are searching for a natural cleaning solution, a cleaning enthusiast recommends a homemade cleaner using food scraps to help remove kitchen grease and grime.
The Secret Ingredient
Grease and grime can leave kitchens looking unsightly and hamper the performance of household appliances. Before reaching for harsh chemical cleaning products, there is a surprising food scrap that could offer an effective natural alternative.
Cleaning enthusiast and TikTok creator Lily, widely known as Clean with Lily, recently revealed how she transforms an everyday food scrap into a powerful homemade cleaning solution. The secret ingredient is simply to hold on to your orange peels instead of binning them.
How to Make the Cleaner
Lily recommended setting aside orange peels to create your very own homemade degreaser. In a video, she said: "Most people don't realise you can do this. If you add the orange peel into a glass jar, cover it with white vinegar and leave it for around two weeks, you'll have yourself a natural cleaner."
Leave the orange peel to steep in white vinegar for a fortnight, then remove the peel from the jar. Boil a kettle of water, pour it into the solution, and decant the mixture into a spray bottle. Simply spritz the solution onto greasy worktops and surfaces, then wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.
Why It Works
Citric acid breaks down grease and disperses it into smaller particles. Thanks to its mildly acidic nature, it effectively dissolves mineral deposits, grime, and grease alike. As citric acid also boasts antibacterial and antiseptic properties, lemon oil can eliminate bacteria while tackling mould and mildew, according to Blanc Living.
Consumer publication CNET highlighted that orange peel also contains the naturally occurring compound d-limonene, a natural oil widely found in numerous cleaning products. CNET explained: "D-limonene helps by washing away dirt and filth, keeping your surfaces nice and clean and smelling great. It isn't just about smell, however: orange peels also have antibacterial properties, great for killing household germs."
Where to Use It
The cleaning solution is equally effective on stovetops, fridge doors, microwaves, and stone, marble, and laminate worktops. However, CNET's experts cautioned that any orange-peel-based solution should be kept away from wooden surfaces or furniture, as it risks causing discolouration.
White Vinegar Benefits
White vinegar is an excellent natural remedy for tackling grime, thanks to its acidity and acetic acid content. This powerful acid prevents fungi and other organic matter from taking hold, making vinegar an ideal choice for those seeking a natural product with both antifungal and antibacterial qualities. Given that mould is a fungal growth, vinegar will effectively eliminate the bacteria, while its acidity can also deodorise and disinfect any affected areas.
Alternative Methods
For those who would rather avoid making a spray solution, Purdy and Figg suggest applying lemon essential oil on a cloth or an orange directly to the area you are cleaning. Using leftover orange peel in your cleaning spray also adds a pleasant fragrance, ensuring your kitchen smells fresh rather than overly sterile.
