My little guy loves to set up a lemonade stand in the summer.

The last time he had one, he and his big sister squeezed a bigillion lemons and I couldn't handle letting all those lemon peels go to waste!

Infusing used lemon peels with vinegar creates a natural cleaner. Not only is this method effective but it's also simple and inexpensive. Let me show you how easy it is to make your own cleaner using just two ingredients: lemon peels and vinegar.

Ingredients:

1. Lemon peels (from about 3-4 lemons) or a bigillion if you have them 😛

2. White vinegar

Instructions:

1. Start by simply gathering the peels from 3-4 lemons. You can tear or cut the peels into smaller pieces to fit them into a jar more easily and to increase surface area for the vinegar to extract the lemony goodness.

2. Take a clean glass jar with and place the lemon peels inside.

3. Cover the Peels with Vinegar

Once the jar is filled with lemon peels, pour white vinegar over them until they are completely submerged. Make sure to leave a little space at the top of the jar to allow for expansion.

4. Cover and Store

Cover the jar with the lid and store it in a cool, dark place such as a pantry or cupboard. Let the mixture infuse for 2-6 weeks, shaking the jar gently every few days to help distribute the properties.

5. Strain and Transfer

After 2-6 weeks, strain the infused vinegar through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container. Discard the used lemon peels, as they have released their essence into the vinegar.

6. Dilute (Optional)

If you find the scent of straight vinegar too strong, you can dilute the infused vinegar with water. A common ratio is one part infused vinegar to one part water, but you can adjust this according to your preference.

7. Usage

Your homemade cleaner is now ready to use! Transfer it to a spray bottle for easy application. It can be used on various surfaces such as countertops, glass, and stainless steel. Simply spray, wipe, and enjoy the fresh, clean scent of lemon.

8. Storage

As with any herbal infusion, store your jars out of sunlight to prolong the beneficial ingredients.

Benefits of Infused Lemon Peel and Vinegar Cleaner

Natural Ingredients: Lemon peels and vinegar are natural, non-toxic substances, making this cleaner safe for use around children and pets.

Antibacterial Properties: Both lemon and vinegar have antibacterial properties, making this cleaner effective at killing germs and bacteria.

Cost-Effective: Making your own cleaner at home is much cheaper than buying commercial products, saving you money in the long run.

If you are one who uses lemons one at a time, but would like to make lemon cleaner you could squeeze the lemons and freeze the juice in an ice tray. I would transfer it to a freezer bag after 24 hours. Another option is to throw your peels in the freezer as you use them and thaw them when ready to make your cleaner.