10 Ways to Clean with Grapefruit

Amanda TarltonUpdated: Jan. 05, 2022

Follow our tips for turning grapefruit into a citrusy Cinderella. Your house has never looked so clean or smelled so nice.

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Photo: Shutterstock / beeboys

Save the microwave

No worries. Place a grapefruit half in a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and heat for about three minutes on high. The steam will soften any gunk, making it easy to remove, and the citrus itself will leave a pleasant odor. Psst! This trick works with lemon, too.

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Photo: Shutterstock / rawcaptured photography

Deodorize the drain

Instead of tossing grapefruit rinds into the trash, pulse them through the garbage disposal. Goodbye stink, hello freshness.

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Twist of citrus peel on a white background.

Photo: Shutterstock / Valentyn Volkov

Make your own multipurpose cleaner

Green cleaning is in right now, so get on board by trading chemical-filled products for a homemade alternative. Place citrus peels and white vinegar in a tightly sealed jar. Leave it to steep for about a month before removing the peels. Dilute this fermented vinegar with some water. Voilà! You’re ready to check off every item on your spring cleaning checklist.

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Used dirty iron pan with oil and dirty turner

Photo: Shutterstock / ideapix69

Get rid of grease

Whether it’s in your oven or sticking to your pots and pans, grease is tough to tackle. Sprinkle some salt onto the affected area and squeeze grapefruit juice on top, letting it sit for five to 10 minutes. Then take a sponge and scrub off the grease effortlessly. Learn more grease-fighting hacks, here.

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Photo: Shutterstock / Billion Photos

Restore your cookware

Any pots or pans that are aluminum, copper or brass tend to tarnish and dull easily. To make them shine again, simply rub half a grapefruit over the dish and wipe with a dry washcloth.

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Bowl of grapefruit bath salt and some fresh fruits;

Photo: Shutterstock / matka_Wariatka

Scrub the tub

Meet the dynamic duo of bathroom cleaning: grapefruit and salt. Sprinkle half a grapefruit with about 1/4 cup kosher salt, then use it to scrub away rust and stains in the bathtub. Rinse with warm water when you’re done. Learn how to use salt to tidy up every room in the house.

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Photo: Shutterstock / moprea

Remove stains

Instead of using harsh bleach, swap in a combination of grapefruit juice and baking soda. Simply soak any soiled clothes in the citrus solution for at least 30 minutes before tossing into the washing machine.

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Photo: Shutterstock / LarsZ

Polish furniture

Kitchen table or hardwood floors looking a little worse for the wear? Mix the juice of a grapefruit with olive oil in an empty spray bottle and use a dry rag to buff gently into wood furniture. We recommend testing it first on a small, hidden section before trying to restore an entire surface.

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Overhead view of the chain of ants, which moves in the light of the rough plaster wall

Photo: Shutterstock / Vlad.Romensky

Prevent pest problems

It’s a little-known fact that insects hate citrus smells. For a natural deterrent, place dried grapefruit peels by windows, door cracks or anywhere else that ants and other unwanted creatures could enter.

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Photo: Shutterstock / TB studio

Freshen a closet

Let grapefruit peels dry completely, then place them in drawers or a closet to add a subtle scent to delicates. Bonus if you mix in lemon and orange rinds as well.

Originally Published: November 07, 2017

Amanda Tarlton

As both a freelance lifestyle writer and editor for a national teen magazine, Amanda spends most of her time creating #content. In those (rare) moments when she's not at her desk typing furiously, she's likely teaching a hot yoga class, reading the latest chick-lit or baking a batch of her famous scones.