Orange Peels: Natural Aromas And Scents For Your Home

Orange peels have a variety of uses, from enhancing flavour in cooking to acting as a natural pest repellent. However, one of the most popular uses for orange peels is to harness their fresh, tangy scent. The main compound in orange peels is limonene, which can be used in flavourings, perfumes, and all-purpose cleaners. Orange peels can be used to create a natural air freshener for your home, either by boiling them with mulling spices or by placing them near open windows or fans to help the aroma circulate. They can also be dried and combined with other dried flowers or spices to create potpourri or sachets for a subtle fragrance. In addition to providing a pleasant aroma, orange peels can also be used to mask unpleasant odours, such as in the refrigerator or garbage disposal.

Boil peels with spices to freshen your home

If you're looking for a natural way to make your home smell inviting, orange peels are a great option. Not only do they fill your home with a fresh, vibrant aroma, but they also offer a more sustainable alternative to chemical-laden air fresheners. Here's how to use orange peels with spices to freshen your home:

Choose Your Orange Peels

Select fresh orange peels, as these will have a stronger aroma. You can use the peels from oranges you've eaten or juiced, or you can use a vegetable peeler to remove the zest without the bitter white pith.

Prepare the Spices

The beauty of using orange peels for aroma is that you can customise the scent by combining them with various spices. Cinnamon and cloves are a popular choice for an autumnal fragrance, while lemon and grapefruit peels create a bright and energising scent. You can also experiment with other spices like star anise, nutmeg, or dried flowers like lavender.

Boil the Orange Peels and Spices

Place your orange peels and chosen spices in a pot of water. Turn on the heat and let the mixture simmer for a while. The longer it simmers, the stronger the fragrance will be. Just be careful not to let all the water boil off!

Enjoy the Aroma

As the mixture boils, the aroma will fill your home. You can keep the pot on the stove and let the fragrance linger as long as you like. If you want a more subtle scent, turn off the heat and simply let the pot sit. You can also transfer the mixture to a bowl and place it in a specific room you want to freshen up.

Explore Other Options

Boiling orange peels is just one way to freshen your home. You can also place dried orange peels near air conditioning vents or fans to circulate the aroma as they dry. Another option is to create a natural room spray by infusing orange peels in vinegar and transferring the liquid to a spray bottle.

So, the next time you have some orange peels, give this method a try! It's a simple, eco-friendly way to make your home smell wonderful.

Create a natural insect repellent

Method 1: Orange Peel Spray

If you want to keep insects away, you can make a natural insect repellent using orange peels. This method is harmless to children, pets, and plants.

Here's what you need to do:

• Finely dice some orange peels.
• Fill a reusable spray bottle with the diced orange peels and water.
• The water will absorb the aroma of the orange peels, creating a scent that bugs find repulsive.

Method 2: Essential Oil Spray

Alternatively, you can create a natural insect repellent using essential oils, such as those derived from oranges and other citrus fruits.

Here's a simple recipe:

• Mix 10 to 20 drops of essential oils with 2 ounces of distilled water and 2 ounces of white vinegar.
• You can use a combination of orange oil, citronella essential oil, and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Shake gently to mix.

Additional Tips:

• Different scents repel different bugs. For example, mosquitoes dislike citronella and lemon eucalyptus, while ants and flies are repelled by mint and basil.
• Always test any homemade bug spray on a small area of your skin first to check for possible allergic reactions.
• Be cautious when using certain essential oils, such as citronella, around pets. Consult a veterinarian before using natural insect repellents near your furry friends.
• Some essential oils, like citrus oils, can be phototoxic when applied directly to the skin and exposed to sunlight, potentially causing severe burns.

Make a body scrub

Orange peels can be used to make a body scrub that exfoliates and moisturises the skin. Here is a simple recipe to make an orange vanilla sugar scrub:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried orange peel, very finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons vanilla-infused jojoba
• 5 drops of sweet orange essential oil
• 1/2 cup organic cane sugar

Method:

• Combine the cane sugar and dried orange peel in a medium-sized bowl.
• In a separate small bowl, combine the vanilla-infused jojoba and sweet orange essential oil. Stir well.
• Pour the oil mixture into the sugar and orange peel mixture.
• Stir the combined mixture until it is fully incorporated and there are no lumps remaining.
• Pour the final mixture into a mason jar and store it in a cool, dry, and dark place until you are ready to use it.

This scrub is perfect for a spa night or an invigorating morning treat. It is recommended to use this scrub weekly to exfoliate away dead skin cells effectively.

Alternatively, you can make an orange and clove sugar scrub by grinding orange peels into a coarse powder and combining them with sugar, ground cloves, orange essential oil, and olive oil.

Other Tips:

• For a more intense orange aroma, you can boil orange peels with mulling spices like cinnamon and cloves.
• Dried orange peels can be ground and used as a mild exfoliant for body scrubs.

Clean stainless steel

How to Use Orange Peels for Aroma

Orange peels can be used in a variety of ways to create a pleasant aroma. One popular method is to boil orange peels with mulling spices such as cinnamon and cloves, filling your home with a warm, autumnal fragrance. Alternatively, you can boil orange peels with lemon and grapefruit peels to create a fresh, vibrant, and energizing aroma.

If you don't want to boil the peels, you can place them in a sachet bag near air vents or fans to circulate the orange scent as the peels dry naturally. Once fully dried, orange peels can be combined with other dried flowers or spices and added to potpourri dishes or sachets for a subtle fragrance.

Another creative way to use orange peels for aroma is to make your own personal care products. Dried and grated orange peels can be added to DIY lip butters, hair masks, lotions, or salves as a natural fragrance. You can also infuse coconut oil with orange peels to create a tropical-scented moisturizer.

• Dried orange peels can be ground into a powder and used as a body or face scrub, leaving your skin feeling refreshed.
• Orange peels can be burned directly on a gas stove top for an instant room freshener.
• Placing orange peels in the garbage disposal can help neutralize odours and leave your kitchen smelling citrusy.
• Soaking orange peels in vinegar creates a natural cleaner that leaves a pleasant orange scent as you clean.

How to Clean Stainless Steel

Daily Maintenance:

Wipe down any food splatters, dust, or grease from your stainless steel appliances with a dishcloth. Be sure to wipe in the direction of the grain to avoid water streaks.

Weekly Polish:

Use the orange side of an orange peel to add shine to your stainless steel appliances. The natural oils in orange peels enhance the luster of stainless steel. Remember to work with the grain.

Monthly Oil Treatment:

Once a month, give your stainless steel appliances an oil treatment to protect them from rust and smudges. First, wipe down the appliance with white vinegar, following the direction of the grain. Then, rub the appliance with olive oil or mineral oil, again working in the direction of the grain.

General Care Tips:

• Always use cleaners specifically designed for stainless steel. Avoid scouring powders, abrasives, bleach, or ammonia, as these can damage the surface.
• Never use steel wool or a pumice stone, as they will scratch your stainless steel.
• Set a regular maintenance schedule to ensure your stainless steel surfaces are consistently clean and protected.

Condition hair

Oranges are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, which can benefit hair in several ways. Here are some ways to use orange peels to condition your hair:

Orange Hair Mask

A hair mask is meant to nourish the hair follicles and aid in the regeneration of cells to promote healthier hair. It can also make your hair soft and shiny. However, it is difficult to make an orange hair mask on its own due to its water consistency, so it is recommended to add an apple to the mixture. Here is how to make it:

• Take one orange and half a medium-sized apple.
• Make a thick puree and transfer it to a bowl.
• If needed, add some orange peel powder to thicken the consistency.
• Apply this mask all over your hair and scalp.
• Keep it on for 30-45 minutes or until it dries.
• Wash your hair with a mild, herbal shampoo and lukewarm water.

Orange Hair Conditioner

If your hair is very dry and lifeless, an orange hair conditioner can help condition and repair it for an enhanced look. Here is how to make it:

• Take one tablespoon of fresh orange juice and add aloe vera gel.
• Mix them well to form a thick gel.
• Apply this mixture to your hair before shampooing.
• Use a mild, herbal shampoo to wash off the excess product.

Orange Oil

Orange oil is excellent for treating dull and lifeless hair. It acts as a moisturiser to deeply nourish the scalp and promote hair repair. Vitamin C helps rejuvenate cells and promote hair growth. Here is how to make and use orange oil:

• Take two oranges and grate them to separate the fibrous peels.
• Grind these grated peels to make a powder.
• Take half the quantity of orange juice as compared to the amount of orange peel powder.
• Add one part of coconut oil or any other oil of your choice.
• Mix all the ingredients well and keep the mixture in sunlight for 2-3 days.
• When you see an oil-like consistency, it is ready for use.
• Massage the oil into your scalp as you would with any other hair oil.

Orange Peel Hair Rinse

You can also create an orange peel hair rinse by boiling dried orange peels in water to create an orange peel-infused water. Allow it to cool, then use it as a final hair rinse after shampooing. The natural oils in the orange peels will help condition your hair, leaving it shiny and smelling citrusy.

Frequently asked questions