Lemon All-Purpose Cleanser (with Rosemary!)

Who'd of thought that we can combine citrus with all natural cleansers to replace many of the chemicals that we rely on for household cleaning. The staples of this all purpose cleanser are vinegar (use regular white vinegar or organic, if desired) combined with lemon and rosemary. Here's the part that each ingredient plays:

• vinegar is naturally a terrific degreaser and antimicrobial agent, and can be used on all sorts of household surfaces to disinfect;
• lemon, or specifically the oils in the lemon and rind, are stain-beaters - and they smell great!; and
• rosemary's scent is unique, but it also has properties that are antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic. Like other common herbs including tyme and lavender, rosemary is a perfect complement to citrus in all natural cleansers. cleaning. 

• Peels of 2 or more lemons
• 2-3 sprigs of rosemary
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups white vinegar

In a jar (a quart or larger), combine the lemon peels, rosemary, water and vinegar. Allow to rest 2 weeks in a cool location to allow the oils from the lemon and rosemary to infuse.  

Next, optionally you can strain the lemon peels and rosemary and transfer the remaining cleanser liquid to a spray bottle . If you like, you can retain the lemon peels and rosemary and transfer them to the spray bottle with the cleanser. The scent will intensify over time!

Try this all-purpose cleaner in the kitchen, bathroom, on kids toys or as a glass cleaner. Steer clear of surfaces that be damaged by an acidic spray.