A drab winter day is my favorite time to clean. And this time of year, citrus is readily available.  If you have an abundance of citrus, here is a way to use them. Citrus is a great cleaner and deodorizer. Citrus will remove most mineral deposits and stains and cut grease. My grandmother used her homemade citrus cleaner when she washed clothing by hand.

I use half of a lemon to clean my wood-cutting board. It comes out very clean, then I use food-grade wax to seal the board.   

This is how to make our citrus cleaner:

Put the peels of your favorite citrus fruit and put them in a large jar that has a lid. Fill the jar with enough white vinegar to cover the peels. Put the lid on. Place the jar in a dark, cool area for two–three weeks. Strain the pulp and skins out. In a spray bottle, fill half the bottle with the “cleaner” and the other half with water.

Use the spray bottle citrus cleaner on glass doors, showers, toilets, rust stains, cutting boards, the inside of the microwave, and for keeping insects out.

I don't recommend using this cleaner on granite or marble countertops. The vinegar and the citrus can weaken or etch the sealant and/or the granite.

I juice a few lemons put the juice in a small container and pop in the freezer. This guarantees I have lemon juice year-round.