Eco-Friendly Powdered Surface Cleaner from Citrus Peels and Eggshells

Traditional liquid cleaning products often contain solvents or preserving chemicals that reduce the active ingredients. They are also heavier, increasing shipment costs, and are generally more expensive than powder alternatives. Many infrastructures have stain-prone surfaces that are difficult to restore once stained or affected by mold and algae.

While fruit peels are commonly used as fertilizer or animal feed, their full potential, especially for citrus waste, is not fully harnessed. Orange peels contain d-limonene, a natural oil with degreasing, disinfecting, and biodegradable solvent properties, which is already used in existing commercial liquid cleaners. Separately, a study showed eggshells can be formulated into an effective, versatile, and cost-effective household cleaner, though it still had limitations compared to generic products.

This study proposes an innovation by combining eggshell powder with dried orange peel powder to create a powdered surface cleaning agent. This aims to solve three problems: reducing plastic packaging by using cardboard or biodegradable materials, lowering transportation costs due to the lighter weight of dry products, and decreasing production costs. The resulting powder can be diluted with water as needed.

The goal is to produce this powdered cleaner using readily available materials at minimal cost, making it practical for households, public, and private infrastructures. It can be easily recreated and used by various entities due to its simple production process and short time span. This initiative highlights a potential cost-effective, eco-friendly cleaning alternative that also helps reduce organic waste.