DIY: Citrus Vinegar Spray

This is a homemade concoction that every barn should have handy! It’s a multi-use cleaning and deodorizing liquid that’s completely non-toxic to animals and made of all food-grade ingredients.

Uses include:

• bit cleaning
• bit flavoring
• feed bin/bucket cleaning
• stall deodorizing
• glove and helmet liner cleaning
• anti-thrush spray (anti-bacterial)
• dermatitis/scratches treatment (anti-fungal)
• all-purpose cleaning

Materials

• large glass jar
• distilled white vinegar (~$2.50 for ____ gal from the supermarket)
• citrus fruit peels
• strainer
• funnel
• empty spray bottle

Step 1: Citrus Infusion of the Vinegar

Put your citrus peels in the large glass jar, then fill with distilled white vinegar. Be sure to fill it to the very brim to prevent any gross mold growth inside the lid. You can also add a sprig of mint or other herbs for added scent and flavor. Put the jar in a cabinet where it is dark and you can ignore it for a few weeks.

Step 2: Strain & Bottle

Use a mesh strainer to remove the citrus peels so that you’re left with vinegar that is now a bit yellow or orange. Next, put it in a spray bottle using a funnel.

Step 3: Spritz Away!

Because no water has been added, this is heavy-duty strength. You can add a few spritzes to a bucket of water for a mild solution perfect for cleaning bits or gloves. For gross crusty feed buckets and algae-stained water tubs, use the full strength spray right onto the surface. The strong scent will dissipate quickly, and for more citrus scent simply use more citrus peels.

While the many uses could be accomplished with straight white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, their smell can be quite overpowering. Horses and humans both seem to prefer the citrus infusion version.

Enjoy!