Brighten up your home and add a burst of color with the vibrant and versatile orange fruit! Oranges are not only delicious and nutritious, but they also have many creative uses around the house. Let’s explore the many ways this citrus can bring fun and functionality to your living space.
Enjoy Orange Aromatherapy
The fresh, tangy scent of orange is uplifting and can help improve your mood. Here are some ideas for infusing your home with the bright aroma of orange:
- Place a bowl of orange peels and slices in your entryway or living room. The fragrance will greet you and your guests.
- Simmer a potpourri mix of orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves and apple slices on the stove. Your home will smell wonderful!
- Add a few drops of orange essential oil to an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer. Enjoy the scent as the oil disperses in the air.
- Make your own air freshener by combining orange peel, water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist it around the house.
Use Oranges for Festive Decor
With their vibrant color and shape, oranges can spruce up your home for fall and winter holidays. Here are some inspiring ideas:
- Make a centerpiece by filling a clear glass bowl with oranges and floating candles on top. Surround it with pinecones, cinnamon sticks and ribbon.
- Hang oranges studded with whole cloves from ribbons in doorways for a natural potpourri.
- Arrange orange slices on a platter in circular patterns to use as a decorative candle-holder.
- String halves of oranges and kumquats on wooden skewers for a bright garland to hang in windows.
- Place small clusters of oranges in glass hurricane vases for a cheerful table decoration.
Clean with Orange Power
Oranges have natural cleaning properties that let you get your home sparkling the natural way. Here’s how:
- Wipe and deodorize surfaces with an orange half dipped in baking soda. Rinse with a damp cloth.
- Scrub sinks and tiles with an orange half sprinkled with sea salt. This disinfects as it cleans.
- Polish chrome and stainless steel with half an orange dipped in olive oil. Buff with a soft cloth.
- Freshen up cutting boards by rubbing them with a halved orange before rinsing. This removes odors.
- Make an all-purpose cleaner by boiling orange peels in water. Cool, strain and store in a spray bottle.
Repurpose Orange Peels
Don’t throw away all those orange peels! Put them to use around your home:
- Simmer peels and cinnamon in water for a fragrant potpourri or natural air freshener.
- Place dried peels in bowls, jars or sachets to add a citrusy aroma to rooms.
- Use peels as natural fire starters in fireplaces, stoves and grills.
- Mix peels into homemade candles or potpourri for a bright, fresh scent.
- Add peels to your compost bin – they contribute nutrients as they decompose.
Create Orange-Inspired Crafts
Get creative with fruit! Oranges can become part of fun DIY projects:
- Make stamped gift wrap using halved oranges as stamps with fabric paint.
- Fashion ornate candles by embedding orange slices in melted wax.
- Craft orange pomanders by studding oranges with cloves and rolling in spices.
- Dry orange slices in spice mixes like cinnamon-sugar for fragrant fire starters.
- Make fragrant sachets from fabric squares filled with dried orange peel.
Add a Pop of Orange Style
Incorporate bright orange accents in your home for a playful splash of color:
- Display a bowl of fresh oranges as a vivid centerpiece in kitchens or dining rooms.
- Scatter orange throw pillows on sofas and chairs to contrast with neutral upholstery.
- Use orange vases and trays to provide an energetic pop on shelves and tabletops.
- Hang an orange and white quilt on your bed for a retro, vibrant style statement.
- Add orange mugs, dishes or utensils to your kitchen for a fun accent.
Enjoy Tangy Orange Cooking
Infuse orange flavor into your cooking with zest, juice and peel:
- Whip up orange sugar by blending dried orange peel into granulated sugar.
- Make orange simple syrup for cocktails by simmering sugar and orange juice.
- Bake orange cupcakes or cakes using orange zest and juice in the batter.
- Marinate chicken or fish in orange juice, olive oil, herbs and garlic.
- Grill orange slices brushed with honey for a caramelized snack or garnish.
- Candy orange peel by simmering peel in sugar syrup. Roll in sugar once dried.
Freshly Squeeze OJ at Home
With oranges on hand, you can make delicious fresh-squeezed OJ easily:
- Roll oranges firmly on the counter before juicing to maximize juice yield.
- Use a hand juicer or citrus reamer to squeeze out juice. Filter out pulp if desired.
- For sweeter juice, select navel or Valencia oranges at peak ripeness.
- Squeeze juice from oranges at room temperature – chilled fruit yields less juice.
- Drink freshly squeezed OJ right away or store in air-tight containers.
- Combine orange juice with sparkling water or lemonade for a refreshing beverage.
Grow an Indoor Orange Tree
Add living décor and enjoy home-grown oranges:
- Choose a dwarf citrus tree variety suitable for indoor growth.
- Pot the tree in well-draining soil enriched with compost or manure.
- Place in a sunny spot and maintain warm temperatures year-round.
- Water when the soil is partly dry. Mist leaves occasionally for humidity.
- Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during growth periods.
- Rotate the tree periodically so it grows evenly on all sides.
FAQ About Using Oranges Around the House
How can I make my house smell like oranges?
You can make your home smell like fresh oranges in a few easy ways. Simmer orange peels and spices like cinnamon on the stove, use orange essential oils in diffusers, or create orange-infused potpourri sachets. Placing bowls of orange slices around the house also works!
What’s the best way to juice oranges at home?
For maximum fresh juice yield, bring oranges to room temperature before juicing. Roll them firmly on a hard surface beforehand to break up pulp. Use a hand squeezer, citrus press or reamer to extract juice, filtering out pulp if desired. Drink the juice right away for best flavor.
Can I grow an orange tree indoors?
Yes! Dwarf orange tree varieties can thrive indoors with proper care. Choose a type suited for containers, provide lots of sunlight, maintain warm temps, and water when the soil partially dries out. Indoor citrus trees may produce ornamental flowers and fruit.
How should I clean with oranges?
Oranges have natural oils and acidity that cut grease and brighten surfaces. For DIY cleaners, rub halved oranges on surfaces or boil peels in water. You can also combine orange juice, peels or slices with baking soda, salt or vinegar for effective scrubbing and polishing power.
What’s a good way to use orange peels?
Don’t discard all those peels! Dried orange peel adds wonderful fragrance to homemade candles, potpourri or fire starters. Simmer peels in water for a natural air freshener. Place fresh peels in bowls for aroma. Add peels to your compost pile too.
How can I use oranges for holiday decor?
Oranges are perfect for seasonal decorating! Create garlands from orange slices, float oranges in bowls of water with candles, stud oranges with cloves for natural potpourri, or arrange sliced oranges on platters for candle holders. Their bright color is festive!
Conclusion
With their vibrant hue and tangy taste, oranges have so many uses for sprucing up your living space in fun and functional ways. Allow their color and fragrance to liven up every room. Get creative with orange-inspired crafts and DIY projects. Most importantly, enjoy their flavor and nutrition in your cooking and homemade OJ. Let the versatility of the orange fruit brighten your home all year round!
