Blood Orange Essential Oil: Everyday Uses, DIY Recipes & Diffuser Blends

There are some essential oils you have to learn to appreciate. Blood Orange essential oil isn't usually one of them. Open the bottle and you'll immediately understand the appeal. It's sweet, juicy, bright, and bursting with the familiar aroma of freshly peeled citrus. But don't let its simplicity fool you.

Blood Orange Essential Oil (Citrus sinensis) is one of those bottles that can end up being used all over the house. Diffuse it in the kitchen. Freshen the garbage disposal. Make a sugar scrub. Add it to foaming hand soap. Freshen a closet. Or pair it with something completely unexpected like Geranium, Marjoram, Ginger Root, or Ylang Ylang.

With so many Blood Orange Essential Oil uses, it's an easy bottle to reach for again and again. It's also a fantastic essential oil for learning how to blend because its familiar citrus aroma gives you an easy starting point.

In this guide, we'll explore Blood Orange Essential Oil DIY recipes, cleaning ideas, Blood Orange Essential Oil diffuser blends, safety tips, and some expected—and very unexpected—oils that blend well with Blood Orange.

Let's put that bottle to work.

What Exactly Is a Blood Orange?

From the outside, a blood orange can look pretty ordinary.

Slice one open, however, and you'll discover flesh ranging from ruby red to deep crimson.

Blood oranges are varieties of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). Their dramatic color comes from naturally occurring pigments called anthocyanins.

And while that beautiful fruit gets most of the attention, the part we're interested in is actually the peel.

How Is Blood Orange Essential Oil Made?

Take a fresh orange peel and bend it sharply.

See that tiny aromatic mist that sprays from the rind?

That's where the essential oil lives.

Small glands within the peel contain aromatic oils. Blood Orange Essential Oil is typically produced by mechanically expressing or cold pressing the peel to capture those volatile aromatic compounds.

The result is an incredibly concentrated version of that familiar fresh-orange aroma.

What Does Blood Orange Essential Oil Smell Like?

Think:

Freshly peeled orange.

Then make it a little deeper, richer, and slightly more tart.

Blood Orange Essential Oil smells:

Sweet • Juicy • Fresh • Bright • Citrusy • Slightly Tart • Warm

It's familiar enough to enjoy by itself but versatile enough to take in some completely unexpected directions.

10 Blood Orange Essential Oil Uses for Everyday Life

You don't need a complicated recipe to start using your bottle. Some of the best Blood Orange Essential Oil uses are incredibly simple.

1. Give Your Kitchen a Citrus Reset

Finished cooking?

Diffuse:

3 drops Blood Orange
3 drops Lemon

Simple, bright, and perfect for the kitchen.

2. Freshen Your Garbage Disposal

Add baking soda and a few drops of Blood Orange to your garbage disposal at night.

Let it sit while you sleep, then rinse it through in the morning.

You'll find the complete recipe below.

3. Freshen the Trash Can

After cleaning and drying your trash can, sprinkle a little baking soda into the bottom and add a few drops of Blood Orange.

Then replace the liner.

4. Freshen a Closet or Drawer

Blood Orange and Cedarwood make a surprisingly good team.

Add them to cotton balls and place them in a small dish inside a closet or drawer.

5. Make Citrus Foaming Hand Soap

Keep Blood Orange beside the kitchen or bathroom sink with a simple homemade foaming hand soap.

6. Make a Sweet Citrus Sugar Scrub

This time we're pairing Blood Orange with Geranium for a sweet citrus-floral aroma.

7. Brighten Your Morning Diffuser

Try:

3 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Peppermint
1 drop Lemon

Fresh, bright, and crisp.

8. Freshen Your Sink

Baking soda, castile soap, Blood Orange, and Peppermint create a simple sink scrub.

9. Change It With the Seasons

Blood Orange doesn't have to disappear when summer ends.

Pair it with Ginger Root, Pine, Cedarwood, Frankincense, or Clove and it takes on an entirely different personality.

10. Try the One-Drop Challenge

Diffuse four drops of Blood Orange.

Then choose an essential oil you rarely use and add just one drop.

Marjoram? Geranium? Bay? Fennel? Ylang Ylang?

See what happens.

Blood Orange Essential Oil for Cleaning

The bright citrus aroma of Blood Orange makes it a natural fit for kitchen and home-care DIYs.

Using Blood Orange Essential Oil for cleaning doesn't mean the essential oil itself should be relied upon as a disinfectant. Instead, we like adding it to simple cleaning recipes primarily for its fresh citrus aroma.

Here are some easy ways to put it to work.

DIY #1: Overnight Garbage Disposal Freshener

It doesn't get much easier than this.

You'll Need:

• ¼ cup baking soda
• 5 drops Blood Orange

Directions:

Pour the baking soda into the garbage disposal. Add 5 drops Blood Orange and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, run cold water and operate the disposal for several seconds to rinse everything through.

For an extra citrus boost, try:

3 drops Blood Orange + 2 drops Lemon

Important: Never reach into a garbage disposal. Always follow your disposal manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance instructions.

DIY #2: Blood Orange Kitchen Surface Scrub

For manufacturer-approved surfaces, this simple paste combines baking soda and castile soap with a fresh citrus aroma.

You'll Need:

• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon unscented liquid castile soap
• 8 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 4 drops Lemon Essential Oil
• Water as needed

Directions:

Combine the baking soda and castile soap. Add the essential oils and stir. If necessary, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until you have a soft, spreadable paste. Apply a small amount with a damp, non-scratch sponge or cloth. Gently scrub and wipe thoroughly with a clean damp cloth. Dry the surface when finished.

Important: Always follow your appliance or surface manufacturer's cleaning instructions and test an inconspicuous area first. Do not use abrasive cleaners on surfaces where they're prohibited.

DIY #3: Blood Orange & Peppermint Sink Scrub

Fresh citrus gets a cool twist from Peppermint.

You'll Need:

• ¼ cup baking soda
• 1 teaspoon unscented liquid castile soap
• 5 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions:

Combine the ingredients to create a soft paste. Apply with a damp, non-scratch sponge and gently scrub the sink. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Use only on surfaces approved for baking-soda cleaning.

DIY #4: Freshen the Bottom of the Trash Can

After cleaning and completely drying your trash can, sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons baking soda

into the bottom.  Then add: 3 drops Blood Orange and 1 drop Lemon. Place the trash bag over it. The baking soda helps absorb odors while the essential oils add a fresh citrus aroma. Replace as needed when cleaning your trash can. Keep away from children and pets.

These simple recipes are some of our favorite ways to use Blood Orange Essential Oil for cleaning and freshening around the home without turning your cleaning routine into an all-day DIY project.

Everyday Blood Orange Essential Oil DIY Recipes

Blood Orange isn't limited to cleaning. These Blood Orange Essential Oil DIY recipes give you several more ways to use that bottle around your home.

DIY #5: Blood Orange Foaming Hand Soap

This one earns its place in the guide because it's something you can use every single day.

You'll Need:

• 2 tablespoons unscented liquid castile soap
• 1 tablespoon fractionated coconut oil
• 8 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 3 drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 2 drops Ginger Root Essential Oil
• Water
• Foaming soap dispenser

Directions:

Add the castile soap and fractionated coconut oil to your dispenser. Add the essential oils. Slowly fill the remainder with water, leaving enough room for the foaming pump. Replace the pump and gently mix. Pump onto wet hands, lather, and rinse thoroughly.

Blood Orange and Lemon keep the aroma bright while a little Ginger Root adds an unexpected warm, spicy note.

DIY #6: Blood Orange & Cedarwood Closet Freshener

We're keeping this one simple.

You'll Need:

• 3 cotton balls
• 6 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 3 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
• Small open glass dish

Directions:

Place the cotton balls in your dish. Add 2 drops Blood Orange + 1 drop Cedarwood to each cotton ball. Place the dish on a closet shelf or inside a drawer where it won't directly touch clothing or finished surfaces. Refresh when the aroma begins to fade. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

DIY #7: Spiced Citrus Himalayan Salt Diffuser

Here's where Blood Orange starts showing another side.

You'll Need:

• ½ cup coarse Himalayan pink salt
• 10 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 4 drops Ginger Root Essential Oil
• 3 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
• Small decorative bowl or glass jar

Directions:

Add the Himalayan salt to your container. Add the essential oils and stir gently. Place it in an office, bathroom, entryway, or another small space. Stir occasionally to refresh the aroma. When the scent begins to fade, add a few more drops.

The result is sweet citrus with warm Ginger Root and deeper Frankincense underneath.

Looking for more ways to add natural aroma throughout your home? Learn more about natural alternatives to synthetic fragrance and discover other simple ways to bring scent into your home using essential oils.

Blood Orange Essential Oil DIY Recipes for Body Care

Blood Orange's sweet citrus aroma also works beautifully in simple body-care recipes.

DIY #8: Blood Orange & Geranium Sugar Scrub

Blood Orange and Geranium might not be the first combination that comes to mind.

That's precisely why we like it.

The sweet citrus aroma of Blood Orange brightens Geranium's rich floral-green character.

You'll Need:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil or fractionated coconut oil
• 12 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 3 drops Geranium Essential Oil
• Glass jar with lid

Directions:

Place the sugar in a bowl. Slowly add the carrier oil while stirring until you reach your preferred consistency. Add Blood Orange and Geranium Essential Oils and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a clean glass jar.

Massage a small amount onto damp skin using gentle circular motions and rinse thoroughly. Avoid the face and sensitive areas.

CAUTION: Oil-based scrubs can make tubs and shower floors slippery.

DIY #9: Blood Orange & Grapefruit Shower Steamers

If we're going citrus, let's really go citrus.

Blood Orange provides the juicy sweetness while Grapefruit adds a brighter, slightly sharper citrus note.

You'll Need:

• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup citric acid
• 15 drops Blood Orange Essential Oil
• 10 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
• Witch hazel in a fine-mist spray bottle
• Silicone mold

Directions:

Combine the baking soda and citric acid. Add Blood Orange and Grapefruit Essential Oils and mix thoroughly. Lightly mist with witch hazel while stirring until the mixture just holds together when squeezed. Press firmly into silicone molds and allow them to dry completely. Place one on the shower floor away from the direct stream of water and allow it to slowly dissolve.

These are intended for shower aromatherapy only. Do not use as bath bombs or apply directly to your skin.

Blood Orange Essential Oil Diffuser Blends for Every Season

Blood Orange doesn't belong to just one season. These Blood Orange Essential Oil diffuser blends show how dramatically the aroma can change depending on what you put beside it.

Spring — Open the Windows

3 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Geranium
1 drop Lavender

Bright citrus with a fresh floral side.

Summer — Citrus Cooler

3 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Grapefruit
1 drop Peppermint

Bright, crisp, and citrusy.

Fall — Spiced Orange

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Ginger Root
1 drop Clove

Sweet orange meets warm spice.

Want to take this fall aroma even further? Try our Pumpkin Spice Essential Oil Blend, made with Blood Orange, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove, Ginger Root, and Patchouli. You'll also find five cozy ways to use the blend throughout your home.

Winter — Orange Forest

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Pine
1 drop Cedarwood

Orange grove meets evergreen forest.

4 More Blood Orange Essential Oil Diffuser Blends

Because four is definitely not enough.

Sunrise

3 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Lemon

Three citrus oils with noticeably different personalities.

Orange Grove

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Basil
1 drop Rosemary

Fresh citrus with a green, herb-garden twist.

Deep Orange

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Patchouli
1 drop Vetiver

Rich, earthy, and completely different from Blood Orange by itself.

Citrus Calm

3 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Frankincense

Sweet citrus softened by Lavender and warm Frankincense.

What Essential Oils Blend Well With Blood Orange?

If you're wondering about oils that blend well with Blood Orange, you have plenty of choices.

Blood Orange is one of the easiest essential oils to blend because its sweet citrus aroma works with citrus, floral, minty, herbal, woodsy, earthy, and spicy aromas.

Feeling Adventurous? Unexpected Oils That Blend Well With Blood Orange

Now we're getting to the fun part.

Lemon, Lavender, and Frankincense are easy choices.

But some of the most interesting oils that blend well with Blood Orange aren't necessarily the bottles you'd reach for first.

Blood Orange is perfect for experimenting because its familiar sweet citrus aroma gives you a comfortable starting point.

Then things can get interesting.

Blood Orange + Geranium

Orange and flowers? Yep.

Geranium adds a rich green-floral character while Blood Orange keeps everything bright and juicy.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Geranium

Blood Orange + Ginger Root

This combination almost feels obvious once you smell it.

Ginger Root adds warmth and spice without covering up Blood Orange's sweetness.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Ginger Root
1 drop Frankincense

Blood Orange + Marjoram

Okay, this one might surprise you.

Marjoram's warm, herbaceous aroma takes Blood Orange somewhere completely different.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Marjoram
1 drop Lavender

Blood Orange + Pine

Think:

Orange grove meets evergreen forest.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
2 drops Pine
1 drop Cedarwood

This one is especially nice when the weather gets cooler.

Blood Orange + Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang has an intensely sweet floral aroma, so a little goes a long way.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
1 drop Ylang Ylang
1 drop Bergamot

Blood Orange brightens the floral aroma while Bergamot helps tie everything together.

Blood Orange + Bay

You probably didn't see this one coming.

Bay brings a spicy, green, herbal character that sends Blood Orange in an entirely different direction.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
1 drop Bay
1 drop Cedarwood

Start small with Bay and adjust from there.

Blood Orange + Fennel

Yes.

Fennel.

Its sweet, unmistakably anise-like aroma can completely change Blood Orange.

Try:

4 drops Blood Orange
1 drop Fennel
2 drops Grapefruit

That single drop of Fennel adds something completely unexpected while Grapefruit keeps the blend bright.

The One-Drop Challenge

Want to get better at blending essential oils?

Here's a fun way to experiment.

Add 4 drops Blood Orange to your diffuser.

Smell it by itself.

Now grab a bottle you don't use very often.

Add one drop.

Geranium.

Marjoram.

Ylang Ylang.

Bay.

Fennel.

Ginger Root.

Smell it again.

If you like where it's going, add another drop or introduce a third oil.

Sometimes the combination that sounds the strangest on paper ends up being the one you love.

Is Blood Orange Essential Oil Phototoxic?

Because Blood Orange is a citrus essential oil, this is an important question.

Some expressed citrus essential oils contain naturally occurring compounds called furanocoumarins that can react with UV light after topical application. This reaction is known as phototoxicity.

However, not every citrus essential oil carries the same phototoxicity risk.

Blood Orange (Citrus sinensis) is generally regarded as non-phototoxic, unlike certain other expressed citrus essential oils.

That doesn't mean topical use should be careless.

Essential oils are highly concentrated, so Blood Orange should still be appropriately diluted before applying it to the skin.

Always follow the safety information for your particular essential oil and patch test new topical preparations before broader use.

Blood Orange Essential Oil Safety

A few simple precautions can help you use Blood Orange responsibly.

• Always appropriately dilute essential oils before topical use.
• Patch test new topical DIYs.
• Avoid the eyes, inner ears, mucous membranes, and other sensitive areas.
• Don't add undiluted essential oils directly to bathwater.
• Store citrus essential oils tightly closed and away from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
• Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
• Follow manufacturer instructions before using DIY cleaners on appliances or finished surfaces.

If you're pregnant, nursing, taking medication, have a medical condition, or are under a doctor's care, consult an appropriate healthcare professional before use.

Want to learn more about using essential oils safely? Read our Complete Essential Oil Safety Guide for dilution guidance, important precautions, and tips for using essential oils throughout your home.

One Bottle. A Lot of Possibilities.

When you start exploring all the different Blood Orange Essential Oil uses, you quickly realize this little citrus bottle can do much more than make your diffuser smell like oranges.

Use Blood Orange Essential Oil for cleaning and freshening around the kitchen.

Experiment with Blood Orange Essential Oil DIY recipes like sugar scrubs, shower steamers, foaming hand soap, and Himalayan salt diffusers.

Try different Blood Orange Essential Oil diffuser blends throughout the seasons.

And once you're comfortable with the familiar oils that blend well with Blood Orange, grab one of those bottles you haven't touched in a while.

Try Geranium.

Experiment with Ginger Root.

Add a little Marjoram.

Get adventurous and try one drop of Fennel.

That's one of the best things about essential oils. The more you experiment, the more you begin to understand how dramatically one aroma can change another.

And Blood Orange Essential Oil is one of the easiest places to start.

Northridge Oak - Blood Orange - 100% Pure Blood Orange Essential Oil

$7.50

Experience the Benefits of Blood Orange Essential Oil Blood Orange Essential Oil Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis Country of Origin: Italy Aromatherapy and Wellness Northridge Oak's Blood Orange essential oil is a 100% pure essential oil that enhances your wellness routine. Aromatherapy… read more

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