Clementine Oranges Are Good For More Than Just Eating

Most people tend to think of Clementine oranges as a small, tasty snack that they can eat when they do not feel like eating an entire orange. Initially created as an accidental hybrid between a mandarin and an orange more than a century ago, clementines are now found in just about every produce aisle in the United States. Their thin skins peel off with ease, and their flesh is sweet and juicy.

Because they are so delicious, it is hard to imagine that anyone would want to do anything other than eat clementines. However, clementines have dozens of odd household uses. This is particularly true when it comes to getting rid of foul odor.

In the colonial days of America, settlers made sachet bags out of citruses like oranges. However, clementines work just as well and do not take up nearly as much space in drawers. People looking to spice up their closets this way can do so by sticking several whole cloves directly into the skin of clementines.

Once this is done, they simply need to put it in some sort of mesh bag (nylon pantyhose work great, too) and hang from a hook. As it turns out, musty smells are no match for clementines. Clementines can even be cut into large chunks and run through garbage disposals to get rid of foul sink odors.

Those who want to have a house that smells fresh and festive during the holidays (and winter months in general) should always have clementines on hand. When combined with cloves and a few cups of water, instant stovetop potpourri is made. To get the scent through the entire home, the only thing one has to do is boil the mixture.

The best part about Clementine oranges is that they are 100 percent useful. People can eat the flesh and still have a use for the exterior skin. For example, when clementine peels are added to a bag of brown sugar, the brown sugar will stay soft and free of large clumps. The peels will also give the brown sugar a tasty flavor.

In fact, the peels of clementines can even keep families warm in the winter! Because their skin is packed with flammable oils, they make great kindling to get fires started. The oils inside the peels of Clementine oranges will keep them burning for much longer than paper does.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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