How to Make Orange Oil Extract

*Scroll to the bottom for  printable instructions

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We eat quite a few oranges at our house so I decided to whip up a batch of this ah-mazing orange oil with all the leftover orange peels!

This oil is super easy to make, and I’m almost positive you’ll love it as much as I do, if you like the fresh uplifting scent of oranges! 

Did you know it’s super easy to make your own orange oil and it can be used in many different household items?

Making Orange Oil does take a little patience, but I promise it’s worth it! This little miracle oil is amazing and super versatile. You can use it for anything from household cleaning to even DIY beauty products! Orange oil could even be a very beneficial part of any survivalist diet.

• Orange oil contains D-limonene which is an excellent solvent and used in many natural household cleaners. Used as a household cleaner it really cuts the grease while leaving a pleasant scent.
• You can also use in DIY beauty products, cooking, or even to fragrance your home used in an essential oil diffuser. A few drops of orange oil in your trash can also help to get rid of stinky odors.

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Now that we went over a few uses for orange oil, let me show you how easy it is to make! I’ve also included a few recipes at the end of the post on how to use your oil.

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this awesome oil and a glass container to store it.

I used an empty grape jelly jar, but feel free to use a mason jar or other empty jar. I also used clementines, but you can use regular oranges, or even try grapefruit or lemon using the same formula. 

Supplies:

Clemintines or oranges –  approximately 5lbs

Vodka (the cheap-ey cheap kind will do)

Glass Jar ( I used an empty and clean jelly jar, but a 16 oz mason jar would also work well)

Fork or knife to scrape the pith (the white part between the skin and the fruit)

Medium sized bowl

Directions:

1. Start off by eating lots of yummy oranges!

2. As you eat them, simply scrape the white pith with a fork or knife and toss the peels into a bowl or container. 

3. You can add to the bowl throughout the week. 

4. Allow the oranges to dry out for a few days and then break the peels into smaller pieces and place them in a glass jar.

5. Pour vodka over the oranges, enough to cover, while still leaving a little room at the top of the jar.

6. Place the lid on the jar and give it a good shake.

7. Let the oranges sit in the jar for 2-4 days. Each day give the jar a good shake or two.

8. On the last day, use a coffee filter and drain the oranges in a medium-sized bowl to get rid of any sediment left and discard the orange peels.

9. Let the oil sit for 24 hours with a paper towel over the bowl to evaporate the alcohol. Be careful to not let the towel fall into the bowl and soak up the oil. I recommend putting it in a spot where you know it won’t get accidentally knocked over.

10. After 24 hours you will be left with a nice fresh scented orange oil. Be sure to drain any sediment left one more time before transferring into a bottle.

11. Store oil in a cool dark place preferably in an amber bottle. (found here)

How to Use:

• Use a few drops in an essential oil diffuser for an uplifting scent. Just add 4-8 drops with the amount of water recommended by the manufacturer.

• Mix 1-2 teaspoons orange oil with vinegar and water (1:1 ratio) in a spray bottle for a super all-purpose cleaning spray. Use on kitchen counters, stove, and more to cut grease and leave a fresh scent with antimicrobial properties! You could also use Orange oil in place of Lemongrass in this easy DIY Leather Shine Polish recipe. (be sure to always do a spot test first in uncertain)

• Use in DIY beauty products – Orange oil is especially good to help protect and heal skin and promote collagen. For a DIY uplifting spa bath mix 8-10 drops of orange oil with 1/4 cup Epsom Salts in your running bath water.

• Mix orange oil with a carrier oil such s jojoba or fractionated coconut oil. You can rub a small amount behind your ears and on your temple area to help alleviate headaches. (Always test for skin sensitivity first)

• Place a few drops on a cotton ball and place in your trash can to minimize stinky odors and help keep bugs away.

 How are you going to use orange oil?

Print

Orange Oil

DIY Orange Oil to use for cleaning and DIY beauty products

Ingredients

• 1 5lb bag clementines or oranges
• Vodka (amount varies depending on the size of jar used)

Instructions

1. scrape the pith from orange peels and place the peels in a bowl to dry out for 1-3 days

2. Once peels have dried out, place the peels in a glass container and pour vodka over them, leaving a little room at the top.

3. Close the container and give it a good shake once a day for the next three days.

4. After 3 days, drain the oranges using a coffee filter to get rid of sediment and discard the oranges.

5. Leave the oil in an open bowl or container for 3 days, covered with a paper towel to allow the alcohol to evaporate. Be sure to place it in a place where you won't tip it over and be careful not to let the towel fall in the bowl.

6. After 3 days your oil is ready to be stored. Store in a cool dark place.

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