The Low Waste Trails: Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner

Originally published in April 2020.

Today I wanted to talk a little bit about Zero Waste and Sustainability, specifically a recipe (I think I would called it that?!) of an all-purpose cleaner I have made using only three ingredients. Having found it online, from a website called Gypsy Soul, I’ve been wanting to make my own cleaner for a while, being very passionate about lowering my waste, so here’s how it was made and what I think!

Of course, like I said, I have followed instructions from Gypsy Soul so do not want to make you think this is my original idea! But, unlike the instructions they provide, mine was a lot smaller batch. To make it, you simply need the following things:

– 2 – 4 Lemons (skin only)
– White Wine Vinegar
– Water

1. Peel the skin of the lemon and place into your bottle.
2. Add your vinegar so the lemons are all covered
3. Let it sit for 2 weeks so it ‘brews’
4. Add enough water to fill your bottle, so to dilute it

I’ve made my cleaner today and used an old spray bottle from Wilko I’ve had a while. So,  am now going to let it sit for the 2 weeks specified. I shall be checking back, on Instagram in 2 weeks for an update on how it works in my kitchen and bathroom – if you’re interested in the result!

I find this to be a great idea as it both saves you money as well as cuts down on household waste incredibly. Instead of buying bottle after bottle of plastic cleaners, you are buying lemons which are of course plastic free, as well as vinegar which near enough always comes in glass (glass bottles being recyclable and/or reusable products). So with a little more time on your hands now, why not consider a homemade all-purpose cleaner, its as anti-bacterial as your normal sprays but with the difference being it has a lot less harsh chemicals – what’s not to love!