Citric Enzyme Cleaner
A LOT of people have been asking me how I make my citric enzyme cleaner, so I thought I'd post the "recipe" for anyone who wants it :) It's VERY easy to make, so you have no excuse not to try it! The only downside to this cleaner is how long it takes to ferment - if you don't use yeast, it will take a minimum of three months. If you add yeast, it will only take two weeks... Which is still a long time for someone (like me, ha!) who wants things NOW and is used to going out to buy things when you run out. But, hear me out, and give it a try - once you get the first batch going, you shouldn't have to worry about running out!
Cris's Citric Enzyme Cleaner
Ingredients
Supplies
Preparing the Citric Enzyme Cleaner Base
Step #1
Measure out 3/4 cup of sugar or honey in your measuring cup. Fill the measuring cup with enough warm/hot water to cover the sugar/honey - about 1 cup. Use a spoon to stir the sugar and water until the sugar has mostly dissolved in the water. Set the mixture aside.
Step #2
Gather your oranges, lemons and/or limes. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut each piece of fruit into halves, then quarters, then eights, and so on until each piece is small enough to fit inside the mouth of your container. Do not separate the rind from the fruit - the rinds and seeds go into the container with everything else!
Step #3
Put the orange, lemon and/or lime pieces into your plastic container. I know plastic isn't the optimal choice for a lot of you, but see my footnotes to understand why you cannot use glass!
Make sure to add the rinds, seeds, juice and anything else from the fruit in your container!
Step #4
Insert your funnel into the mouth of your container. Carefully pour the sugar/water mixture into the container. Add the remaining 3 cups of water to the container; I use warm water, which I think helps dissolve everything better, but you can use cold or room temperature, if that's what you have. Don't use overly hot or boiling water - you might melt the container!
Step #5 (Optional)
With the funnel still in place, measure out and add a tablespoon of dry yeast to the container. This will decrease your wait time from three months to two weeks, so if you have yeast on hand, use it!
Step #6
Put the lid back onto the container as tightly as possible. Hold the container over your sink and flip it upside-down. Shake vigorously for five minutes; I turn the container every minute to make sure everything is mixed well.
Step #7
Remove the lid from your container and place it back on top of the mouth WITHOUT TIGHTENING/SCREWING IT ON. This is VERY important! If you even slightly screw the lid on, you will block the gas build-up from escaping, and you will end up with an explosion!
Store the container in a dry, out-of-the way place, not in direct sunlight. DO NOT STORE IT IN YOUR FRIDGE; this will slow down the fermentation of your citric enzyme cleaner.
Step #8
At least once a day, tighten the lid on your container and shake it vigorously for a minute or two over your sink. REMEMBER TO TAKE THE LID OFF WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED SHAKING!
If you added yeast to your container, continue shaking your mixture for at least two weeks. If you did not add yeast, continue this for a minimum of three months (this is why I strongly suggest adding yeast!)
Making Your Citric Enzyme Cleaner
Supplies
Step #1
When your two weeks/three months is up, check the bottom of your container for any undissolved/unearned sugar. If you see any sugar sitting at the bottom, your mixture isn't ready yet; let it sit for another week (and remember to shake it every day!).
If you don't see any leftover sugar, you're ready to make your very own Citric Enzyme Cleaner! Give your container one last good, vigorous shake, then get your supplies ready.
Step #2
Set your mesh strainer or cheesecloth over an empty measuring cup. Very carefully pour the mixture from your container over the strainer and into the measuring cup. You will need 1/2 cup of pure liquid from your mixture; take care not to let any pulp or seeds get into your measuring cup.
Optional: scoop up the leftover pulp/rinds and stick them back into your container. You don't have to do this, especially since you likely won't pour out too much, but I do this - I figure every little bit helps :)
Step #3
Pour the liquid in your measuring cup into a clean, empty spray bottle. I use an old Windex All-Purpose cleaner bottle that I cleaned thoroughly; since this is what I'm replacing with my citric enzyme cleaner, it seemed like the next choice, but any spray bottle will do as long as it's clean and has no leftover residue from any previous cleaner that may have been in it.
Step #4
Add four cups of filtered water to the spray bottle. Put the sprayer back on the bottle, tighten it and shake the bottle for a minute to combine the water and the citric enzyme liquid.
Step #5
Optional: open the bottle back up and add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential. Tea tree oil is antibacterial - although the citric enzyme cleaner is also antibacterial, so you don't NEED anything else - and this is the most popular choice. I, personally, add a few drops of "lemon verbana" fragrance oil, because I find the smell of citric enzyme cleaner putrid and I associate lemon with clean, so that's what I prefer :) You really don't need much at all if you're using fragrance oil - I add roughly 5-6 drops, and that's enough for me to smell it every time I spray it!
Once you've added your oil, close the bottle up and shake again to distribute it.
Do not discard the container with the rest of your citric enzyme cleaner - put it back in an out-of-the-way place and save it for later use. You do not need to continue shaking it at this point, although I still do shake it once in awhile, just to mix things up again. Do not add any more water to the container - you'll dilute the mixture, and it won't be as effective when you make future batches of cleaning spray!
That's it! You now have your very own bottle of natural, homemade and cheap citric enzyme cleaner! Now get to cleaning!
I strongly suggest making two batches of citric enzyme cleaner at a time the first time you make it. That way, while you're using up the first container, you have a second one on-deck when you run out. Then, after you crack open the second container, make a new batch using the empty first container. The idea is to always have a second batch brewing, so that when you run out of your first batch, you don't have to wait two weeks to clean again :) And since citric enzyme cleaner only gets stronger the longer it sits, you don't have to worry about it going bad!
So the one thing you need to be aware of is that citric enzyme cleaner is created through fermentation, which is why the yeast speed things up drastically. Because of this, the mixture will create a LOT of gas.
The first time I made this, the day before my two weeks was up, I put the bottle on my kitchen window sill to remind myself to make the cleaner in the morning. I gave it once last good shake before putting it up there... And then completely forgot to loosen the lid again. Unfortunately, my husband closed the blinds OVER the bottle, and I didn't see it, and had forgotten about it. It wasnt until 9:00 that night that I happened to notice it... And in the less than 24 hours that the bottle sat there with the lid tightened, it managed to double in size, and the top had already started to crack! I have pictures that I will post eventually, but it was scary to look at. My husband freaked a little, and tried to loosen the lid to let out some gas. The sound it made was terrifying, so he quickly moved it to our kitchen porch outside while I watched from inside the kitchen. He managed to loosen the lid enough to slowly let the gas escape, so the mixture didn't overflow or explode everywhere. It took FIFTEEN MINUTES for the gas to completely escape and for the bottle to return to it's original size. If I hadn't remembered the bottle was there for even a few more hours, there is no doubt it would have exploded all over our kitchen.
Now imagine what would have happened if, instead of plastic, I had used a glass bottle.
Yeah...
So this is why you CANNOT use a glass bottle - even if you *swear* you'll never accidentally forget to loosen the lid or forget about the container, it could still happen. And it could happen while you're standing right next to it - or worse, while your children are standing right next to it - and seriously harm someone. So do NOT use glass, no matter what!
If you're like me, and don't have anything plastic around the house to use, you can ask someone else for their leftover containers. I got mine from a neighbor who drinks a lot of soda :) I'm sure there is someone in your life who drinks something out of a plastic container, that wouldn't mind giving you the empty bottle!
Two-liter bottles of soda are also cheap - about $1 from our local shoppette - so if you have $1 to spare, you could buy a bottle and dump the contents (or donate it to a soda-drinker) to get the plastic container you need. Worst-case scenario, but since you can continue re-using the bottle for all future batches, you should only have to do this once!
Cris's Citric Enzyme Cleaner
Ingredients
- 2-3 large oranges; OR
- 5-6 large lemons; OR
- 5-6 large limes; OR
- A combination of any of the above;
- 3/4 cup sugar (white, raw or brown); OR
- 3/4 cup of honey
- 4 cups of warm/hot (not boiling) filtered water
- 1 tablespoon of yeast (optional)
Supplies
- Large plastic bottle/container with lid (do NOT use glass!)
- Funnel - make sure it fits inside the mouth of the container!
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoon (tablespoon)
Preparing the Citric Enzyme Cleaner Base
Step #1
Measure out 3/4 cup of sugar or honey in your measuring cup. Fill the measuring cup with enough warm/hot water to cover the sugar/honey - about 1 cup. Use a spoon to stir the sugar and water until the sugar has mostly dissolved in the water. Set the mixture aside.
Step #2
Gather your oranges, lemons and/or limes. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut each piece of fruit into halves, then quarters, then eights, and so on until each piece is small enough to fit inside the mouth of your container. Do not separate the rind from the fruit - the rinds and seeds go into the container with everything else!
Step #3
Put the orange, lemon and/or lime pieces into your plastic container. I know plastic isn't the optimal choice for a lot of you, but see my footnotes to understand why you cannot use glass!
Make sure to add the rinds, seeds, juice and anything else from the fruit in your container!
Step #4
Insert your funnel into the mouth of your container. Carefully pour the sugar/water mixture into the container. Add the remaining 3 cups of water to the container; I use warm water, which I think helps dissolve everything better, but you can use cold or room temperature, if that's what you have. Don't use overly hot or boiling water - you might melt the container!
Step #5 (Optional)
With the funnel still in place, measure out and add a tablespoon of dry yeast to the container. This will decrease your wait time from three months to two weeks, so if you have yeast on hand, use it!
Step #6
Put the lid back onto the container as tightly as possible. Hold the container over your sink and flip it upside-down. Shake vigorously for five minutes; I turn the container every minute to make sure everything is mixed well.
Step #7
Remove the lid from your container and place it back on top of the mouth WITHOUT TIGHTENING/SCREWING IT ON. This is VERY important! If you even slightly screw the lid on, you will block the gas build-up from escaping, and you will end up with an explosion!
Store the container in a dry, out-of-the way place, not in direct sunlight. DO NOT STORE IT IN YOUR FRIDGE; this will slow down the fermentation of your citric enzyme cleaner.
Step #8
At least once a day, tighten the lid on your container and shake it vigorously for a minute or two over your sink. REMEMBER TO TAKE THE LID OFF WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED SHAKING!
If you added yeast to your container, continue shaking your mixture for at least two weeks. If you did not add yeast, continue this for a minimum of three months (this is why I strongly suggest adding yeast!)
Making Your Citric Enzyme Cleaner
Supplies
- Empty, clean spray bottle
- Measuring cup
- Mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- 4 cups of filtered water
- Essential or fragrance oil (optional)
Step #1
When your two weeks/three months is up, check the bottom of your container for any undissolved/unearned sugar. If you see any sugar sitting at the bottom, your mixture isn't ready yet; let it sit for another week (and remember to shake it every day!).
If you don't see any leftover sugar, you're ready to make your very own Citric Enzyme Cleaner! Give your container one last good, vigorous shake, then get your supplies ready.
Step #2
Set your mesh strainer or cheesecloth over an empty measuring cup. Very carefully pour the mixture from your container over the strainer and into the measuring cup. You will need 1/2 cup of pure liquid from your mixture; take care not to let any pulp or seeds get into your measuring cup.
Optional: scoop up the leftover pulp/rinds and stick them back into your container. You don't have to do this, especially since you likely won't pour out too much, but I do this - I figure every little bit helps :)
Step #3
Pour the liquid in your measuring cup into a clean, empty spray bottle. I use an old Windex All-Purpose cleaner bottle that I cleaned thoroughly; since this is what I'm replacing with my citric enzyme cleaner, it seemed like the next choice, but any spray bottle will do as long as it's clean and has no leftover residue from any previous cleaner that may have been in it.
Step #4
Add four cups of filtered water to the spray bottle. Put the sprayer back on the bottle, tighten it and shake the bottle for a minute to combine the water and the citric enzyme liquid.
Step #5
Optional: open the bottle back up and add 10-20 drops of your favorite essential. Tea tree oil is antibacterial - although the citric enzyme cleaner is also antibacterial, so you don't NEED anything else - and this is the most popular choice. I, personally, add a few drops of "lemon verbana" fragrance oil, because I find the smell of citric enzyme cleaner putrid and I associate lemon with clean, so that's what I prefer :) You really don't need much at all if you're using fragrance oil - I add roughly 5-6 drops, and that's enough for me to smell it every time I spray it!
Once you've added your oil, close the bottle up and shake again to distribute it.
Do not discard the container with the rest of your citric enzyme cleaner - put it back in an out-of-the-way place and save it for later use. You do not need to continue shaking it at this point, although I still do shake it once in awhile, just to mix things up again. Do not add any more water to the container - you'll dilute the mixture, and it won't be as effective when you make future batches of cleaning spray!
That's it! You now have your very own bottle of natural, homemade and cheap citric enzyme cleaner! Now get to cleaning!
I strongly suggest making two batches of citric enzyme cleaner at a time the first time you make it. That way, while you're using up the first container, you have a second one on-deck when you run out. Then, after you crack open the second container, make a new batch using the empty first container. The idea is to always have a second batch brewing, so that when you run out of your first batch, you don't have to wait two weeks to clean again :) And since citric enzyme cleaner only gets stronger the longer it sits, you don't have to worry about it going bad!
So the one thing you need to be aware of is that citric enzyme cleaner is created through fermentation, which is why the yeast speed things up drastically. Because of this, the mixture will create a LOT of gas.
The first time I made this, the day before my two weeks was up, I put the bottle on my kitchen window sill to remind myself to make the cleaner in the morning. I gave it once last good shake before putting it up there... And then completely forgot to loosen the lid again. Unfortunately, my husband closed the blinds OVER the bottle, and I didn't see it, and had forgotten about it. It wasnt until 9:00 that night that I happened to notice it... And in the less than 24 hours that the bottle sat there with the lid tightened, it managed to double in size, and the top had already started to crack! I have pictures that I will post eventually, but it was scary to look at. My husband freaked a little, and tried to loosen the lid to let out some gas. The sound it made was terrifying, so he quickly moved it to our kitchen porch outside while I watched from inside the kitchen. He managed to loosen the lid enough to slowly let the gas escape, so the mixture didn't overflow or explode everywhere. It took FIFTEEN MINUTES for the gas to completely escape and for the bottle to return to it's original size. If I hadn't remembered the bottle was there for even a few more hours, there is no doubt it would have exploded all over our kitchen.
Now imagine what would have happened if, instead of plastic, I had used a glass bottle.
Yeah...
So this is why you CANNOT use a glass bottle - even if you *swear* you'll never accidentally forget to loosen the lid or forget about the container, it could still happen. And it could happen while you're standing right next to it - or worse, while your children are standing right next to it - and seriously harm someone. So do NOT use glass, no matter what!
If you're like me, and don't have anything plastic around the house to use, you can ask someone else for their leftover containers. I got mine from a neighbor who drinks a lot of soda :) I'm sure there is someone in your life who drinks something out of a plastic container, that wouldn't mind giving you the empty bottle!
Two-liter bottles of soda are also cheap - about $1 from our local shoppette - so if you have $1 to spare, you could buy a bottle and dump the contents (or donate it to a soda-drinker) to get the plastic container you need. Worst-case scenario, but since you can continue re-using the bottle for all future batches, you should only have to do this once!