CdSe quantum dots (QDs) have been widely used in a plethora of applications due to their relatively high photocatalytic abilities and unique properties. Herein, we report that highly water-soluble CdSe (QDs) were successfully prepared in an open-air condition without using an inert atmosphere. This has been accomplished through a facile one-pot method by using a novel binary mixture of thioglycolic acid (TGA) and trisodium citrate (TSC) as capping agents. Air stable and cheap sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) was used as the selenium precursor. Structural and morphological properties of the as-prepared QDs were examined by varying the reflux time and the temporal evolution of the optical. The obtained QDs were characterized by XRD, HRTEM, XPS, UV-Vis absorption, DRS and PL. The results revealed that we can use this facile ‘green' approach in synthesis high quality, small, spherical and monodispersed QDs which exhibits high optical properties and superior stability in open-air conditions.