citrus peels · enzyme cleaner · Fermentation · natural cleaning · zero waste ·

DIY Citrus Enzyme Cleaner and Scrub with Fermentation

Turn citrus peels that would otherwise hit the compost into a natural, non-toxic cleaner that actually works. It takes a little patience, but almost no effort and you end up with two cleaners in one recipe. We got our inspiration for trying this cleaner by One Good Thing by Jillee. 

Ingredients & Equipment:

  • 2 Cups Citrus Peels
  • 1 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 4 Cups Water
  • Half Gallon Mason Jar
  • reCAP POUR Lid and Waterless Airlock for fermenting
  • 1 tsp Yeast optional
  • 1 Cup Baking Soda

How to make it:

  1. Dissolve the brown sugar in room-temperature filtered water in your mason jar.
  2. Add the citrus peels (and yeast, if using) and stir. Stir daily for the first 1 to 2 weeks to keep the peels submerged.
  3. Seal with your lid and fermenter. Without yeast, it's ready in about 3 months; with yeast, just 2 to 3 weeks.

For an enzyme cleaner paste: Once fermented, remove the peels and pulse them in a food processor for 20 to 40 seconds, then blend in the baking soda to your preferred consistency. Store in the fridge for 1 to 2 months: great on sinks and bathrooms.

For the liquid cleaner: Store under the sink in a mason jar with your reCAP POUR Lid left slightly open so fermentation gases can escape. 

This liquid can be used for many things:
*Be sure to test on a small area of anything you are going to clean to be sure cleaner does not harm the surface.

  • Multi-Purpose Cleaner  (Half cup cleaner/4 Cups Water)
  • Removing Pet Odors from Carpet  (3 parts cleaner/1 Part Water)
  • Floor Mop Solution  (1 Part Cleaner to 20 Parts Water)
  • Bathroom and Toliet Cleaner (1 Part Cleaner to 10 Parts Water)
  • Clear Blockages in sinks (Undiluted)
  • For Maintenance to keep sinks clog-free 2 to 3 tbsp cleaner once a week (Undiluted)
  • Clean Fruits and Veggies  (1 Part Cleaner/10 Parts Water)
  • Insect Repellent for ants and other insects (Undiluted)
  • Car Wash (1 part Cleaner/20 parts water)

Turn your finished cleaner into a ready-to-use spray: A reCAP Sprayer Lid makes it easy to mist counters, bathrooms, and more straight from the jar. Shop the Sprayer Lid →

Back to Cleaning