Taipei City Government

With the year-end cleanup underway, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers residents a DIY recipe for a homemade, all-natural cleaner!

According to DEP, the in-season tangerine serves as an ingredient of choice for making detergents, as the skin of citrus fruits contains limonene – a natural solvent that breaks down grease through chemical reactions.

Below are the instructions for making the tangerine cleaner:

1. Collect tangerine rinds and place them in a glass container.
2. Cover the peels with 75% alcohol (available at pharmacies) and make sure the container is airtight.
3. Let the jar sit for 3 to 5 days. It will be ready when the liquid turns yellowish-orange, with the essence of the tangerine rinds being fully released into the alcohol.
4. Pour the solution into a spray bottle for use.

DEP noted that tangerine cleaner, which emits a natural citrus scent, is neither pungent nor harmful to the skin. It does wonders at removing the grease from stoves and exhaust hoods in the kitchen, accomplishing the task more effectively than any other chemical detergents on the market.

The agency also reminds the public to take heed of the following points when using detergents:

1. Never mix different kinds of detergents. The resulting product may release toxic gases from chemical reactions.
2. Cleaners containing strong acids or strong alkalis are not recommended as they could erode ceramic tiles and make dirt harder to remove.
3. Ensure ventilation during cleaning to avoid inhaling hazardous fumes emitted by the cleaner.
4. Put on plastic gloves and face masks to prevent detrimental effects of chemicals on skin or respiratory organs.