Orange oil is a light orange liquid made from the peels of oranges, notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Used in a variety of household cleaning agents, it also is an effective tool used in aromatherapy. Orange oil is easy to find in natural and homeopathic stores, and one small vial goes a long way in helping your home to smell better, your cough less prominent and even your pest problem more manageable.
Home Fragrance
You can make your home smell more appealing with a few drops of orange oil. One or two drops of orange oil placed in a pot of simmering water, along with cloves and cinnamon, can help distribute a pleasant aroma throughout your house.
Cleaning and Degreasing
Orange oil is a powerful degreaser, and easily cuts through kitchen grime. Fill a spray bottle with hot water and two to three drops of orange oil, and use to cut the grease on your counters, stove top and oven. It also leaves behind a fresh scent.
Polishing
Many furniture polishes boast orange oil as an ingredient. This is because orange oil helps to polish and shine finished wood to give it back some of the natural luster that is lost over time and use. To use orange oil directly on wood, make your own furniture polish by combining regular water with three drops of orange oil, and spraying on a microfiber cloth to polish furniture to a high shine.
Pest Control
Pests in your home and garden are repelled by the natural acidic smell of orange oil, so it's ideal to and safe to pour in your garden, or use around children in your house. A more natural solution to chemical pest controllers, orange oil pest repellent is easy to make. Soak a few orange peels in water and strain off the liquid after a few days, says Howard Garrett of DirtDoctor.com. Then soak paper towels in the liquid and leave them where you've had pest problems to ward them away.
Aromatherapy
Those who practice aromatherapy know how beneficial orange oil can be when used in conjunction with meditation or massage. Orange oil is said to promote happiness, well being and confidence, according to AromaWeb.com. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil, or use when meditating to help enhance your aromatherapy session.
Medicinal
The National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) notes that bitter orange oil is helpful for medicinal purposes, like nasal congestion and heartburn. It can also be applied to the skin in small amounts as an antibacterial.
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