If you like the scent of citrus, making a citrus spray is a pleasant way to feel it around you all the time. However, citrus fruits can do much more than perfume rooms: you can also use them to prepare scented body waters, cleaning sprays and even insect repellents! Most recipes call for the use of essential oils, but the cleaning spray can be made using just citrus peels, vinegar, and water.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Make a Citrus Room Spray
Step 1. Choose a small glass spray bottle
Opt for a bottle with a capacity of at least 120ml. Insert a small funnel into the neck of the bottle to be able to fill it more easily.
Step 2. Fill the bottle with 1 tablespoon of vodka (about 15ml)
Vodka will help you dilute essential oils and mix them more easily with water. If you can't find this ingredient, you can try replacing it with witch hazel water or isopropyl alcohol.
Step 3. Add 15-20 drops of your favorite citrus essential oil
You can use just one type of essential oil or mix several. Some of the most popular are those of lemon, orange and grapefruit, but don't be afraid to experiment with different types as well.
- If you want to make a classic citrus spray, try a combination of bergamot, lemon and orange.
- This spray can also be sprayed on furniture to keep cats away. In this case, try mixing lemon and eucalyptus.
Step 4. Rotate the bottle to mix the oils and alcohol
Close the spray bottle or cover the opening with your thumb. Rotate it gently to mix the oils and witch hazel water or alcohol. This will allow you to create a base and make it easier to add water.
Step 5. Add 100ml of distilled water
If you don't have this ingredient available, use filtered water instead. However, distilled water allows you to make the spray last longer.
Step 6. Close the bottle and shake it to mix everything
The spray will be ready to use! Keep in mind that you will have to shake the bottle every time you want to use the product. This spray can be used to perfume a room, bedding and furniture.
Method 2 of 4: Make Citrus Scented Body Water
Step 1. Fill a glass spray bottle with 1 tablespoon of witch hazel water
Witch hazel water has a preservative action. It also helps dilute essential oils and mix them with water. If you don't have this ingredient available, you can substitute it with vodka. However, avoid using isopropyl alcohol, as it is too aggressive on the skin.
- Make sure the bottle has a capacity of at least 60ml.
- Insert a funnel into the neck of the bottle to be able to fill it more easily.
Step 2. Add 15-20 drops of the essential oil of your choice
You can use a single fragrance or combine several. For example, if you want to get a classic citrus scent, you could try mixing the following ingredients: 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil, 4 drops of lime essential oil and 4 drops of lemon essential oil. Here are some other ideas to get you started:
- To make a sweet-scented spray, try using 12 drops of vanilla extract and 10 drops of wild orange essential oil.
- To make an energizing spray, try mixing grapefruit essential oil and lavender.
- To get an autumn fragrance, start with a sweet orange essential oil base and then add a few drops of cinnamon leaf essential oil.
- To make a refreshing spray, start with a lemon essential oil base, then add a few drops of lavender or sandalwood essential oil.
Step 3. Gently rotate the bottle to mix the ingredients
If you want, you can add 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin. It is an absolutely optional ingredient, but it will help to make the fragrance last longer.
Step 4. Add 2 tablespoons of distilled water
If you don't have this ingredient available, try filtered or bottled water. Avoid using tap water, as it may contain minerals that would negatively affect the final product.
For a more intense citrus-scented fragrance, you could use orange blossom water. Be aware that this is a very different ingredient from orange juice
Step 5. Shake the spray before using it
Close the bottle tightly and then shake it. You can use it just like regular scented water. However, avoid spraying it on areas that will be exposed to the sun: citrus fruits increase the photosensitivity of the skin, which can increase the risk of sunburn.
The bottle should be shaken before each use
Method 3 of 4: Make a Citrus Spray to Clean
Step 1. Wash the citrus fruits you wish to use and peel them
First, wash the citrus fruits with hot soapy water, then pat them dry. Peel them with your hand to make sure that no pulp remains attached to the fibrous part of the rind. Chunks of pulp can cause mold to grow.
- You can use a combination of lemons, limes, grapefruits, or oranges. You can also use only one type of peel if you prefer.
- You will need enough peels to fill a glass jar.
Step 2. Fill a glass jar with the citrus peels you made
The amount of peels you will end up using depends on the size of the container. For a larger bowl you will need more. Make sure you fill the jar completely. If possible, use one with a narrow neck. In this way it will be more difficult for the pieces of peel to come to the surface and cause the formation of mold.
The jar must be glass. The oils released from citrus peel would corrode a plastic container
Step 3. Add some herbs if desired
Herbs are optional, but they can make the scent of the spray more pleasant and original. Below you can find suggestions based on the type of citrus you used:
- If you used orange peels, add a few cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and almond extract for an autumn fragrance.
- If you used lemon zest, add sprigs of rosemary and vanilla extract for a fresh but sweet fragrance.
- If you used lime zest, add some thyme for a sparkling fragrance.
- If you used grapefruit peels, add mint (in the form of leaves, essential oil or extract) for a more refreshing fragrance.
Step 4. Cover the skins with white vinegar
Pour the vinegar into the jar until the rinds are completely covered. If you see small pieces appear on the surface, place a large peel on top of the others: it will have to be heavy enough to keep them all completely immersed in the liquid.
Step 5. Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks
Check it every 2 to 3 days to make sure the peels are soaked in vinegar and no mold is forming. If the vinegar level drops, open the jar and add more. If you see any traces of mold, the moldy piece or pieces should be thrown away immediately.
Write the date on the jar with a permanent marker to keep track of the passing time
Step 6. Filter the liquid
Once 2 weeks have passed, open the jar. Put a colander on another bowl, then pour the liquid into it. Discard any remaining rinds in the colander. The vinegar smell may persist, but this is normal.
Step 7. Dilute the liquid with distilled water
The amount of water to use is up to you. For best results, always try to use equal amounts of filtered citrus liquid and distilled water.
Step 8. Pour the liquid into a glass spray bottle
Open the bottle and put a funnel in it. Pour the filtered liquid into the funnel to fill the bottle. Avoid using a plastic bottle, as the oils will cause it to deteriorate over time.
Step 9. Use the spray to clean the kitchen counter, stove and microwave
Close the bottle and shake it; adjust the nozzle if necessary, then spray the liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. Remove it with a sponge or paper towel.
This spray can cause stains to form on marble, granite and other stone surfaces
Method 4 of 4: Make a Citrus Spray to Repel Insects
Step 1. Partially fill a small glass spray bottle with distilled water
Insert a funnel into the neck of a 90ml glass bottle. Pour in 45ml of distilled water. If you can't find this product, use filtered or bottled water instead. You can also use tap water, as long as it is boiled and cooled first.
If you can't find a 90ml spray bottle, you can use a slightly larger one
Step 2. Add 2 tablespoons of witch hazel water
This product will contribute to the creation of the base and will function as a preservative. Witch hazel water is also a natural astringent.
Step 3. Add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera liquid
In this way, the spray will have soothing and refreshing properties. If you can't find this product, you can try using aloe vera juice instead. Just make sure you strain the pulp. You can also try using ½ teaspoon of aloe vera gel.
Step 4. Add 1 teaspoon of lemongrass essential oil
This is the secret ingredient to repel insects. Make sure you use a pure essential oil instead of a lamp or torch oil, as the latter products are not considered safe for the skin.
Step 5. Make the spray scented by adding lemon and grapefruit essential oil
You will need ½ teaspoon of each oil. However, if you don't like grapefruit, you can use more lemon essential oil. Eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil would also be a great choice. Both go well with lemon and are effective at repelling insects.
Don't use lemon extract - it's not the same thing
Step 6. Close the bottle and shake it to mix the ingredients
The insect repellent spray will then be ready to use! You can spray it on your arms, legs and clothes to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Just be careful not to spray it on your face and in your eyes.
- Shake the bottle every time you intend to use the spray.
- If you use aloe vera juice, remember that the spray may deteriorate.
Advice
- Dark glass bottles protect the spray more effectively than light ones, especially if you use essential oils. Sunlight can cause these ingredients to deteriorate.
- Store the spray in a cool, dry, dark place, especially if you're using a clear glass bottle. Sunlight can cause essential oils to deteriorate over time and make them less effective.
- If you are preparing a scented water or a room spray, you can try replacing the essential oils with the scented essences that are used for soap bars. However, avoid using these essences to make a spray to clean or repel insects, as they do not have the same properties as essential oils.
- If you can't find a glass spray bottle, use one made of good quality plastic. The essential oils in these recipes tend to spoil the poorest containers.
- If possible, try to use organic fruits and products.
- Always perform a skin sensitivity test on a small spot on the skin before using a spray. Some people are allergic to acids and other ingredients found in citrus fruits.
