Creating a natural orange freshener is simple and uses common household items. You can make an effective spray by combining orange peels with vinegar.
Simple Orange Freshener Recipe
Making orange freshener involves extracting the natural oils and scent from orange peels into a vinegar base. This creates a versatile, non-toxic cleaner and air freshener.
What You'll Need
According to the reference provided, the supplies needed are:
- Mason jar
- Orange
- Vegetable peeler
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Funnel
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these easy steps to create your own orange freshener:
- Peel the Orange: Use a vegetable peeler or knife to carefully remove the peel from the orange.
- Add Peels to Jar: Place the orange peels into the mason jar.
- Fill with Vinegar: Fill the jar completely with white vinegar, ensuring the peels are submerged.
- Infuse Overnight: Let the rinds settle in the vinegar overnight. While the reference specifies overnight, many recipes suggest letting it infuse for several days or even weeks for a stronger scent.
- Strain and Transfer: Use the funnel to strain the liquid from the jar, separating it from the peels. Transfer the liquid into the empty spray bottle.
- Ready to Use: Your homemade orange freshener is now ready to use!
This infusion process allows the acidic vinegar to pull the aromatic compounds from the orange rinds, creating a fragrant, multi-purpose solution.
Tips for Best Results
- Use fresh orange peels for the strongest scent.
- For a more potent spray, allow the mixture to infuse for a longer period (e.g., 1-2 weeks) in a cool, dark place before straining.
- Label your spray bottle clearly.
- You can experiment with other citrus peels like lemon or grapefruit.
This homemade freshener can be used to deodorize rooms, clean surfaces (avoiding natural stone like marble or granite, as vinegar is acidic), or refresh fabrics.
