Ultimate Guide to Citrus Essential Oils

If you want your home to smell bright, fresh, and clean without a single artificial air freshener, citrus essential oils are where I would start.

They are some of the most versatile oils in my cabinet. This guide walks you through my favorite ways to use them around the house, from natural cleaning to diffuser blends you will want to make on a loop.

Citrus oils are cold-pressed from the peels of the fruit, which is exactly why they smell so wonderfully true to life. They are bright, uplifting, and naturally cleansing, and a little goes a long way.

Below I will share how I actually use them day to day, a quick safety note to read first, a look at ten of the most popular citrus oils, and a handful of my go-to recipes.

What Makes Citrus Essential Oils So Great

Citrus oils have a fresh, sunny scent that instantly lifts the mood of a room. Because they are pressed straight from the peel, they carry that same zesty aroma you get when you scratch the skin of an orange or lemon.

That bright scent is what makes them so lovely to diffuse, and their natural cleansing quality is what makes them a staple in my homemade cleaners. They also blend beautifully with almost everything, so they are a great place to start if you are new to mixing your own scents.

A Quick Safety Note Before You Start

Citrus oils are simple to use, but there are a few things worth knowing before you dive in.

• Many citrus oils are phototoxic, which means they can react with sunlight. If you apply them to your skin, avoid direct sun on that area for several hours, as it can cause redness, darkening, or irritation.
• When in doubt, dilute. Essential oils are very concentrated and should be diluted in a carrier oil before applying to the skin. (Keep reading for my roller bottle recipes.)
• Never put essential oils in your ears or eyes.
• Keep your oils out of reach of children and pets.

Ways to Use Citrus Essential Oils Around the Home

This is where citrus oils really shine.

Here are the ways I reach for them most.

Freshen the Air Naturally

Citrus oils are my favorite way to make a room smell fresh and inviting. Add 4 to 6 drops of a single citrus oil or a blend to your diffuser and let it run while you cook, clean, or work.

You can also uncap the bottle and take a deep breath straight from it for an instant hit of that bright, sunny scent. For more inspiration, I have a whole list of ways to make your home smell amazing.

Make Your Own Natural Cleaners

This is the use I lean on the most.

Citrus oils have naturally cleansing and purifying qualities that make them wonderful in homemade cleaners.

• Add 5 to 10 drops of wild orange to a little olive oil and use it to dust and polish wood furniture.
• Combine 1/4 cup vinegar and 15 to 30 drops of lemon essential oil in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then top it off with water for an all-purpose spray. I use this stuff on everything.

For more recipes and tips, read my full guide to natural cleaning with essential oils and my go-to DIY all-purpose cleaner.

DIY Citrus Room Sprays

A homemade room spray is one of the easiest ways to put citrus oils to work.

Mix a few drops with water and a splash of witch hazel in a small spray bottle, and spritz linens, upholstery, or the air. If you want ready-made recipes, I have a big roundup of DIY room spray recipes and my ever-popular all-natural Febreze.

Roller Bottles for a Fresh, Uplifting Scent

Roller bottles are my favorite way to wear citrus oils as a light, natural fragrance.

They are convenient and perfect for tossing in a bag.

1. Add 15 to 20 drops of essential oil to a 10mL roller bottle.
2. Top it off with a carrier oil. My favorite is fractionated coconut oil.
3. Shake it up and it is ready to roll onto your pulse points.

A Guide to 10 Popular Citrus Essential Oils

Each citrus oil has its own personality.

Here is a quick look at ten of my favorites and how I like to use them.

Bergamot

My all-time favorite citrus oil. Bergamot has a scent that is both calming and uplifting, which makes it a beautiful one to diffuse in the evening.

Learn more in my post on bergamot essential oil uses.

Wild Orange

Bright, sweet, and cheerful, wild orange is the one I reach for when I want to lift the whole mood of the house. It pairs wonderfully with peppermint for a fresh, energizing scent.

See more in my guide to wild orange essential oil.

Lime

Zesty and crisp, lime is a fun one to diffuse when you want a lively, tangy scent. It is also a favorite in the kitchen.

Add a single drop of a culinary-grade lime oil to guacamole or a cheesecake for a pop of flavor.

Lemon

Lemon is the workhorse of my cleaning routine. Its clean, classic scent cuts right through kitchen odors, and it is the oil I use most in my homemade all-purpose spray.

Read my top ten ways to use lemon essential oil for more.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass has a fresh, grassy, citrusy scent that is wonderful in a diffuser and a natural fit in homemade cleaners. A few drops added to a spray bottle make a bright, herbaceous cleaner.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is tart, sweet, and endlessly refreshing.

I love it in the diffuser in the morning and in a room spray for the kitchen. See my full post on grapefruit essential oil uses and diffuser blends.

Tangerine

Tangerine is sweet, mellow, and uplifting.

Diffuse it on its own or in a blend to fill your home with a soft, cheerful citrus scent.

Kumquat

This rare little oil is high in limonene, the compound that gives citrus its signature bright aroma. Kumquat is prized because so many of its constituents are not found in any other essential oil, which makes it a fun one for collectors.

Red Mandarin

Red mandarin has a sweet, soft scent and is a lovely addition to a simple skincare routine.

Add 1 to 2 drops to a dime-size amount of coconut oil or your favorite cleanser and massage gently into the skin.

Clementine

The sweet smell of clementine is bright and motivating. Add it to the diffuser when you are tackling a project or just want your space to smell happy.

Citrus Diffuser Blend Recipes

Here are three of my favorite citrus diffuser blends. Add the drops to your diffuser with water and enjoy.

FRESH AIR

• 3 drops lime
• 2 drops lemon
• 1 drop eucalyptus

MOTIVATE

• 3 drops clementine
• 2 drops bergamot
• 1 drop rosemary

CLEANSING

• 3 drops lemon
• 2 drops wild orange
• 1 drop tangerine

Citrus Roller Bottle Recipes

These blends make a fresh, natural roll-on scent. Add the oils to a 10mL roller bottle and top it off with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil.

CALMING CITRUS

• 5 drops lime
• 4 drops bergamot
• 3 drops lemon
• 5 drops lavender

ENERGIZING CITRUS

• 5 drops kumquat
• 5 drops juniper berry
• 4 drops red mandarin
• 3 drops lemon

UPLIFTING CITRUS

• 5 drops wild orange
• 5 drops frankincense
• 4 drops bergamot
• 3 drops lemongrass

More Natural Home Ideas to Try

If you loved these citrus ideas, here are a few more of my favorites to keep your home smelling fresh and clean the natural way:

• Natural Cleaning with Essential Oils
• 15 Must-Try DIY Room Spray Recipes
• 10+ Ways to Make Your Home Smell Amazing

What is your favorite way to use citrus essential oils around the house? Let me know in the comments below; I love hearing from you!

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