Here’s why cloves should absolutely be planted in an orange
Due to humidity, tobacco or pet dander, our interior does not always smell fresh. Various air fresheners are available in supermarkets to perfume your interior. However, you can infuse your home with a pleasant scent in a more economical and natural way thanks to the ingredients you have at your fingertips. Find out how to perfume your home with an orange and clove.
A home that smells good gives a feeling of comfort and well-being. To perfume your interior, you can opt for natural ingredients such as citrus fruits and cloves.
orange cloves
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Orange and clove – Source: spm
How to perfume the house with an orange and clove?
The trick is simple: just take a firm orange and prick it with cloves. You will thus get what is called an amber apple. Note that you can replace the orange with a citrus fruit of your choice, such as lemon or grapefruit.
To recall a little of the history of the amber apple, the latter was not an orange during the Middle Ages, but a gold or silver container in which a piece of ambergris or aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cloves or musk were placed. The amber apple served as a room fragrance in castles and bourgeois houses. During the Renaissance, the amber apple became a jewel worn around the neck or on the belt to protect against the evil eye. Today, amber apples are natural deodorants, used to perfume the house, but also to decorate it in anticipation of end-of-year celebrations, especially Christmas.
amber apple
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Amber apple – Source: spm
To make an amber apple and embalm your home, you will need:
1 thick-skinned orange
1 cup of cloves
1 piece of adhesive tape
Spices of your choice such as powdered cinnamon, ginger or powdered orris root.
Outline 4 equal quarters of your orange using two pieces of tape. Punch lines of narrow holes in each quarter with the knitting needle. The tape should not be punctured. Then push the cloves into the peel to cover the entire orange.
Pour the spices of your choice into a hollow container and roll the orange on the plate to envelop it in aromatic spices. This step is optional, so you can skip it if you don’t want your amber apple to look dusty.
Let your amber apple dry for 2 to 3 weeks in a warm, dry place. This will allow your orange to dehydrate and spread a pleasant perfume.
And finally, remove the pieces of tape and replace them with decorative tape. This will serve to hang your amber apple on the Christmas tree or in any room you want to scent.
amber apple1
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Amber apple – Source: spm
What are the other uses of an orange with cloves?
In addition to perfuming and decorating the house, amber apple is also effective in keeping insects away.
If you want to get rid of mosquitoes that parasitize your sleep, simply prick an orange with cloves and leave it next to your bed. Mosquitoes hate the smell of orange. If you don’t have an orange, you can use lemons to make your mosquito repellent. Amber apple is also effective in keeping flies and moths away from your home. These insects indeed hate the smell of cloves.
What are the other tips for perfuming the house?
Essential oils
Ideal for perfuming the home, essential oils offer a variety of refreshing aromas. Opt for lavender or chamomile essential oil to spread a floral scent, or even mint or eucalyptus essential oil to freshen the air in your home. To do this, pour a few drops of essential oil into a spray bottle containing water, and spray its solution in the rooms of your home to eliminate bad odors. However, the use of essential oils is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women and for small children.
Baking soda
This natural air freshener will allow you to fight bad odors and clean the indoor air. To do this, mix a cup of baking soda with 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice in a Mason jar. For more aromas, add a teaspoon of dried aromatic herbs such as mint or lavender to this mixture. Close the lid of your pot and stir well. Then you will only have to deposit a small amount of this mixture in cups that you will disperse in the rooms you want to scent. You can also place them in the back of your wardrobe or closet to remove the musty smell from your clothes.
That said, thanks only to an orange and a clove, you can bring freshness to your home, but also decorate it, now that Christmas is approaching.