I have used vinegar and baking soda for cleaning for at least 14 years (I started all this great stuff around the time my first son was born) but when my second son was very young he let me know, in no uncertain terms, that he could not abide the smell of vinegar. Even now, at age ten, every time I spray vinegar somewhere E calls out "Eeeew, vinegar!" from wherever he is in the house (He used to call it "Vinekar" and the bottle of vinegar we use as a hair rinse still is labeled that way thanks to his older brother). When I came across the idea for putting orange peels in vinegar and letting it sit until the scent was transferred I knew right away I had to give it a try (I saw this on a blog somewhere but I cannot remember the name of the blog or how I came to it, so if it was your idea I thank you very much).
We only had a grapefruit on hand so I tried that instead. E ate the grapefruit, I popped the peel in a jar, covered it with vinegar and left it for about 2 weeks. It definitely is grapefruit scented and...E still doesn't like the smell. ;-) Ah well, it pleases me that I have found another use for something and I'm all for grapefruit-scented bathroom mirrors and tubs.
8 comments:
What a great idea - I've got some oranges and I'm definitely going to do this!
so just put the peels in straight vinegar? That sounds easy enough! He must be a SUPER SMELLER!
I just recently bought some essential oil to try and cut down on the vinegar smell when I clean. I associate vinegar with the smell of dying eggs at Easter - and while the association brings up happy memories, it's not how I want my house to smell. But just soaking peels in the vinegar works, too? That sounds so, so much better! Does it smell like grapefruity vinegar? Or just grapefruit?
Hi Affectioknit- I liked the grapefruit so much I decided to get some oranges so we could try that too.
Brooke, yes you just put the peels in the jar and then pour the vinegar in. I put a glass lid on it and let it sit. You can see it start to change colour quite quickly.
Greenie, yes it still does smell somewhat vinegary but I was pleasantly surprised by how much it smelled of grapefruit too. I also have essential oils but I really like this because I just love finding another purpose for something that would have just gone right into the compost otherwise.
Heather, you can pass on to E that my entire laundry room smells of apple cider vinegar right now. I used it to add to the chicken's waterer, forgot to cap it and left in on top of the washing machine, while it was in the midst of a rinse cycle. My machine is second-hand and when it completes its' rinse cycle, it tends to vibrate alot. It vibrated the ACV jug right off onto my floor! I mopped it up, but eeeek! The smell is terribly strong. I am sympathetic to his vinegar sensitivity right about now! My door is wide open to the evening breeze and it is slowly lessening. ;-)
I would like to try scenting some vinegar, too. I wonder if pine or fir would work?? I would love that scent.
Eek, I tell him Erin. I'm sure he'll say he would have to "leave the building". ;-) Well, on the bright side, just think how clean your laundry room will be.
I'm wondering if all sorts of plant material would work. How about you let me know if the pine works and I'll try wild roses in June and let you know if those work. Deal? ;-)
Thanks, I love all of your helpful tips. Our rhubarb is just barely peeking out of the ground. I wonder how spruce tips would work for this?
Spruce buds?! I wonder too, I hope you'll let me know if you try it and it smells good. That rhubarb was brought from a friend's house and it hasn't grown much since. I keep thinking that surely, now, it'll warm up and things will start to grow but...not so much. ;-) It seems we're about two months behind town in seasons up here so I might be eating rhubarb in July and August.
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