Tangerine and orange peels: find out how to use them to perfume your home in the winter

by Mark Bennett

January 20, 2022

Tangerine and orange peels: find out how to use them to perfume your home in the winter
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In winter we often consume citrus fruits such as oranges, mandarins and naartjies (tangerines): every time we peel them, our hands get covered with the unmistakable scent of these fruits. Even the peels, in fact, have a pleasant aroma, which we can use in different ways to perfume the house.

Instead of throwing away the peels of citrus fruits we do not consume or use in other foods, we can always use different methods to create economical home deodorants at no cost, especially in winter, when our stoves and radiators are on more frequently. Read on to find out how.

Creativo

Creativo

Stoves and radiators: keep your peels aside, and maybe cut them into small pieces or strips. Take a ceramic or glass bowl, or maybe even an old saucepan and fill it with water. Put the rinds in the water and put everything on the radiator or stove when they are on and their surfaces have already warmed up. On the radiators you should use some small bowl that does not block the flow of air too much, while perhaps on a sturdy stove (especially wood-burning ones), you can also use larger containers. The peels must be submerged in water, otherwise the water will evaporate too quickly.

On the oven: the procedure is similar. You need to use a saucepan with hot water in which to put the peels and, once it comes to a boil, you will notice the scent. You can simmer the water for a while, and then use the liquid on the radiators and stoves!

Scented bags: place the peels on a baking tray in a single layer and cook for at least two hours at 50 °. Then place them in a light fabric bag (gauze is ideal) with other dry spices such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, lavender, rosemary. Doing so, you will have created mini potpourri bags to deodorize furniture and rooms. If you want to increase the scent, pour a couple of drops of an essential oil that combines well, such as citrus, lavender or rosemary.
Even in the infusions heated on stoves and ovens, you can add spices or enrich the perfume with essential oils of your choice! Do you have a favorite method?

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