Cool things to do with Oranges!

We all know what to do when life gives us lemons right! (Lemonade or tequila to name just two).

Check out some cool things to do when life gives you (alot of) oranges ...Because we love making your life easier

1.      Face and Body Exfoliator

Banish that dry Winter skin by creating your own refreshing and inexpensive exfoliator.  You’ll need:  a glass container for storage, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 4Tbs Almond Oil, 1Tbs Olive Oil and the Zest of 1 orange.  Zest your orange.  Add your sugar and orange zest into the container & mix well.  Slowly add your oils.  Seal the container and use once a week.

2.     Orange Water

Add some flavour and zing to your daily water routine.  Grate orange zest and simply freeze it with water in your ice cube trays.  Then pop a block into your water next time you go hiking or cycling or pack into your kid’s water bottle as part of their school lunchbox

3.     Orange Vodka

Wonder why the Russians love vodka?  Well for one - it’s pretty cold in Russia and vodka is known to warm the cockles of your heart.  Zest your oranges and soak the zest in vodka producing a delicious orange extract. The longer it sits, the stronger the orange flavour will be.   This works with lemons too!

4.      Clean Your Microwave

This is such a cool way to keep your microwave clean.  Simply place orange peels in a bowl of water and microwave for around five minutes.  When complete, wipe down the microwave with a kitchen sponge.

5.  Orange-Chocolate Brownies

We all love chocolate brownies!  Add the zest of 3 oranges to your favourite brownie recipe or substitute any liquid with orange juice and you’ll be coming back for more!

6.     Stove Top Potpourri

Fill your home with the fresh aroma of citrus.   Simmer orange slices or peels in water on the stove top and add further spice to your heavenly scent with a few cloves and a stick of cinnamon.  Be sure to top up with water as needed throughout the day.

7.     Orange Peel Kindling

Winter is here and so are oranges! Orange peels are naturally flammable due to the high concentration of oils in the skin, making them ideal for kindling.  Dry the peels in an airing cupboard, or on a baking sheet in the oven on low heat, and use the peels as an eco-friendly solution to keep your home fires burning. An added bonus is the delicious scent of roasted oranges in your home.

8.     Deodorise Your Cutting Board

Oranges and lemons are great for deodorising your kitchen cutting boards without using any harsh chemicals.  Simply sprinkle your cutting board with salt, cut an orange (or lemon) in half, and rub over the salt for a few minutes, followed by a rinse and a pat dry.

9.      Scrubber for Cast Iron Pans

How cool is this solution for those stubborn food stains on our pots and pans!  Simply halve an orange and sprinkle with some coffee grounds.  The grounds make an excellent abrasive and the orange becomes your handle, plus adds extra citrus cleaning power and aroma.  Once complete you can dump both in the compost.

10.      Say goodbye to Ants

Home insecticides are packed with poisonous chemicals and are often harmful to our pets.  As a safer alternative, you can create your own ant repellent with oranges.  Place orange peels from one orange in a blender with one cup of warm water and puree.  Transfer the solution into a spray container and pour directly into ant hills or any other problem areas in your home.  The solution acts as a deterrent and will keep ants from entering your home.

Brought to you by Team Orange Events – adding zest to Cape Town corporate events.