How To Get A Naturally Fresh-Smelling Home With Just Salt And An Orange

If you're a homeowner, you know there's nothing like having a clean, fresh-smelling home. But, let's be honest, getting rid of stubborn odors can be tricky. Whether it's the lingering scent from drains, the mustiness from unwanted moisture leading to mold and mildew, pet odors, or various other sources, keeping your home's air fresh is not always simple.

It's tempting to reach for air fresheners and scented candles to mask unpleasant smells. However, these are often packed with chemicals that can trigger allergies and headaches in some individuals. Additionally, relying on commercial fresheners can become costly over time. Opting for a homemade approach is healthier and more economical in the long-run.

Fortunately, there's a straightforward and practical solution to freshen up your home. The best part is you can do it yourself! Create a DIY deodorizer by filling halved orange rinds with salt. Add a little something extra with a selection of herbs, spices, and essential oils.

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are known for their strong and distinct scents. But, it's more than just about their scents masking unwanted odors. The acids in these citrus fruits neutralize odors, particularly organic smells like garlic, onions, rotting vegetables, and fish cooking. At the same time, salt is known for its water and humidity-absorbing qualities. The best salts to absorb moisture are rock salt and Epsom salt, making them great deodorizers along with oranges. This is why you should start sprinkling salt to remove odor from your stinky shoes.

Cut an orange in half to begin making your DIY orange and salt. Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp. Add several spoonfuls of salt or fill the entire half of the rind. You can add herbs like rosemary, mint, thyme, flowers, and essential oils. You can also use a different citrus fruit, like lemon or grapefruit. Make sure to place it out of reach of pets and little hands. Replace the deodorizer every week to keep your house smelling fresh.

Aside from using halved oranges for deodorizing, you can also use oranges and orange peels in different ways to make your home smell better. For a potent deodorizing spray, mix peels from two to four oranges in a glass jar with 4 cups of rubbing alcohol, ensuring all the peels are fully submerged. Let this concoction sit undisturbed for a week or two in a cool, dark place. When it's ready, combine one part of the orange-infused alcohol with one part distilled water, adding 10 to 20 drops of orange or another citrus essential oil for extra fragrance. Mist the spray into the air or over linens and furniture.

Alternatively, sun-dry strips of orange peels or oven-dry them for several hours. Cut the dried peels into smaller pieces and incorporate them into your potpourri. You can also use the orange peels to keep pests out of your plants.

Another charming idea is to make pomander balls. Use a toothpick to stud a whole orange with cloves, creating a delightful pattern. Wrap it with a crisscrossed ribbon and tie it in a bow. Place the pomanders in a paper bag for a few days to dry them. You'll know they're ready when they feel lighter and emit a hollow sound upon tapping. These aromatic spheres can be placed in closets, drawers, or shelves to naturally scent the areas.