How To Make Your Own Lemon Dusting Cloths

updated May 30, 2019
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Use these rinds to make your own lemon-scented dusting cloths! (Image credit: Lauren Volo)

If your shelves and surfaces seem to have an ever-growing layer of dust on them, you might want to look to your pantry to combat the problem. You can wipe it all away (and help repel future dust!) with little more than some white distilled vinegar, water, and lemon rinds (you don’t even need as many as in the photo above!).

The best part? This DIY is cheaper than the store-bought stuff and you can re-use the rags again and again.

What Makes Vinegar a Good Cleaner?

Fun fact: With a pH of 2.4, distilled white vinegar is more acidic than coffee or orange juice. This acidity can counteract some gross buildups (think: soap scum, sticker glue, grease, and other crud) and even less gross ones like dust.

What Makes Lemon a Good Cleaner?

Lemons are acidic, too. (We know you know that already, but did you know that lemons have citric acid and vinegar has acetic acid?) They harness all sorts of cleaning powers, like the ability to lift stains and kill bacteria. In this recipe, the lemons are mostly used to neutralize odors (another super power!) and add a touch of freshness.

Get a quick science lesson: What Makes Lemons Such Good Cleaners?

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Make the solution: Measure out equal parts water and vinegar and mix. Add a couple drops of olive oil and pour the solution into a large bowl. (Image credit: Maria Siriano)

How To Make Your Own Lemon Dusting Cloths

Makes 4 to 8 dusting cloths

What You Need

Ingredients

  • Water
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Olive oil
  • 4 to 8 rags
  • Lemons

Equipment

  • Measuring cup
  • Whisk
  • Large bowl
  • Peeler
  • Airtight glass container

Instructions

  1. Make the solution: Measure out equal parts water and vinegar and mix. Add a couple drops of olive oil and pour the solution into a large bowl.
  2. Soak the rags: Gather your rags (you can use old dishcloths that have been cut in squares, old washcloths, or even cut-up T-shirts) and soak them in the solution until they’re fully saturated.
  3. Wring out the rags: One at a time, pull each rag out of the bowl and wring it gently, so that each rag is just a little damp.
  4. Add the lemons: Peel the lemon rinds into sizable pieces. Then, lay out the rags on your counter or table and place a few rinds on each cloth.
  5. Roll up the cloths: Fold up or roll each cloth — with the rinds still in place. Then drop each cloth into your glass container.
  6. Add an extra lemon peel: Throw in an extra lemon peel or two for extra freshness.
  7. Put the lid on: Make sure the lid is on nice and tight and the rags should stay moist until you go to use them.

Note

  • Once you’ve used a rag, you can throw it into the laundry with the rest of your towels. Then reuse!

More Ways to Clean with Vinegar and Lemons