Top 10 Uses for Citrus Cleaners

Top 10 Uses for Citrus Cleaners

If you're looking for an eco-friendly, natural way to tackle all sorts of cleaning tasks around the house, citrus is incredibly versatile and effective. From lemons and limes to oranges and grapefruit, the fresh scent and acidity of citrus make for fantastic green cleaning power. In this post, we'll cover the top 10 uses for citrus cleaners to help you ditch the harsh chemicals while getting sparkling results.

1. All-Purpose Surface Cleaner 

Citrus is a workhorse when it comes to cleaning counters, tiles, sinks, tubs, and more. Simply mix some lemon or orange juice with water in a spray bottle for an all-natural, multi-purpose cleaning solution that will cut through grease and grime with ease. The acid helps dissolve stuck-on messes while leaving surfaces shining. For tougher cleaning jobs, use full-strength lemon or grapefruit juice as a degreaser.

2. Stain Remover 

Citrus acids make citrus juices and oils excellent stain removers. Lemon, lime, and orange juice can help lift food stains, grease spots, and more from clothing, upholstery, and carpets when applied directly. Lemon juice is also great for treating stubborn underarm perspiration stains on clothing. Just be sure to spot test fabrics first for colorfastness and rinse thoroughly after treating with juice.

3. Deodorizer

In addition to cleaning power, the fresh, invigorating scents of citrus fruits make them ideal eco-friendly deodorizers. Use juices or peels to help neutralize odors in things like trash cans, litter boxes, and diaper pails. Simmer some citrus peels in water on the stove to perk up your whole home with a bright, cheery aroma. The oils in citrus can oust musty smells and leave the air smelling clean and vibrant.

4. Produce Wash

Washing fruits and veggies with lemon or lime juice makes an excellent natural produce wash. The acids help kill bacteria and dissolve pesticide residue and wax coatings used on some produce. Plus, the citrus provides a light scrubbing action. Just mix equal parts juice and water, let produce soak briefly, then rinse clean.

5. Microwave Cleaner 

Spills and splatters in the microwave can be tough to scrub away, but citrus makes it easier. Just heat up a small bowl filled with lemon juice for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the microwave is steamy. Let it sit for several minutes so the steam can loosen any caked-on gunk, then simply wipe away with a damp cloth. Lemon's antibacterial properties help sanitize as you clean.

6. Wood Furniture Polish

Have some old, lackluster wood furniture that needs refreshing? Lemon juice and lemon oil make excellent natural polishes that restore shine and luster. The acidity gently cleans and dries out any grime, while the oils condition and protect the wood. Try mixing lemon juice with olive or mineral oil for an easy polishing treatment, or look for wood polishes that contain lemon oil. Just avoid using these citrus polishes on unfinished wood.

7. Copper and Brass Cleaner

The mild acid in citrus makes quick work of tarnish and grime on copper, brass, and other metal items without harsh abrasion. Just cut a lemon or grapefruit in half and use one of the exposed halves as a scouring "pad." The fruit's juice and textured surface will gently polish and brighten as you scrub tarnished metal pieces.

8. Laundry Booster

Adding a bit of lemon juice to your washing machine during the wash cycle provides a few eco-friendly benefits. The acidity and scent of lemon acts as a natural bleaching agent and deodorizer to help freshen and brighten laundry, especially for whites and colors. Lemon juice helps remove stubborn stains and residues as well. Just take care not to use too much lemon, as excessive acid can potentially damage clothing over time.

9. Descaler and Mineral Remover

Hard water stains and mineral buildup can be no match for grapefruit! The citric acid in grapefruit juice makes it highly effective at dissolving and removing harsh deposits from tiles, bathtubs, shower doors, faucets and more. Straight grapefruit juice can be sprayed on and left to soak for 15-30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing away all the dissolved gunk. It's ideal for cleaning and descaling appliances too.  

10. Grease Cutting Cleaner

Has burnt, caked-on grease accumulated on your oven racks or baking sheets? Put the power of citrus to work! A paste made from lemon juice and baking soda will cut through those tough, dried-on greasy messes. Coat the dirty areas generously with the paste and let sit for at least 30 minutes to work before scrubbing clean. The lemon's acidity dissolves grease while the baking soda adds gentle abrasion to scour away gunk.

Get Cleaning With Green Citrus Power 

From their bright, bold scents and flavors to their potent cleaning acids, citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit have so many household uses. Put them to work as natural all-purpose cleaners, deodorizers, degreasers, and more. Reach for citrus as a green stain remover, polisher, produce wash, and mineral deposit dissolver. With citrus, you can tackle all sorts of cleaning tasks around the home without resorting to harsh chemical products—and enjoy that fresh, lively aroma all the while! Start adding more citrus to your eco-friendly cleaning arsenal.