Next time you eat an orange, don’t rush to throw the peels into the trash. You can use them for many household tasks, as there are plenty of useful ways to repurpose orange peels around the home, adding cleanliness and a fresh scent. Below are several clever uses for orange peels that can help improve your home in no time—you may be surprised you hadn’t tried these tips before.
Orange Peels for Freshening and Removing Bad Odors
Refreshing the sink drain:
To eliminate unpleasant odors from the sink, use orange peels. Their natural oils provide a light, refreshing fragrance, while their acidity helps break down grease—making this an ideal way to give your sink instant freshness.
Adding a pleasant scent to your refrigerator:
Simply place a few peels in a bowl inside the fridge to absorb bad odors. Once they dry out, discard them and replace with fresh peels. Repeat as desired.
Removing bad smells from cabinets and containers:
Nothing is worse than a musty smell in rarely used cabinets or plastic containers. To deodorize cabinets, place orange peels inside a piece of cloth, tie it, and spread it on the shelves to absorb unpleasant odors. To remove lingering food smells from lunch boxes, rub them with orange peels, then wash thoroughly.
Deodorizing the trash can:
To freshen your trash bin, place a few orange peels at the bottom of an unscented trash bag. This helps mask unpleasant odors as soon as they appear. Avoid placing peels directly in the bin without a bag, as they may decompose and soil the container.
Cleaning the microwave:
If your microwave needs freshening up, place orange peels in a microwave-safe bowl filled with water and heat for a few minutes. The steam helps loosen stuck-on food and remove odors, leaving behind a long-lasting fresh orange scent.
Freshening shoes and removing scuffs:
To eliminate odors from sports shoes, place a few pieces of peel inside the shoes overnight, with the white side facing down. For leather shoes, gently rub scuff marks with the white side of the peel, then wipe with a clean cloth. The pores absorb the natural oils, reducing scuffs and making the shoes look newer.
Orange Peels for Plant Care
Protecting plants:
Boost the growth of young plants by adding orange peels to the soil. If you’re growing tomatoes, peppers, or roses, this can help repel insects. Soak orange peels in water with some garlic and a few drops of dishwashing liquid, strain the mixture, and spray it directly onto plant leaves.
Increasing soil acidity:
Some plants thrive in acidic soil. If you plan to grow such crops, add grated orange peels to the planting hole before sowing. Be sure to check whether acidic soil suits your plant by reading planting instructions or consulting a gardening expert.
Orange Peels for Cleaning Surfaces and Wood
To prepare a natural, non-toxic cleaner that adds shine and a fresh scent to cabinets and tables, fill a glass jar halfway with orange peels, then pour white vinegar over them until full. Let the mixture sit for two weeks, then strain it and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. The citric acid helps break down grease, while the vinegar disinfects your home and adds shine.
Removing Limescale
Oranges contain citric acid, which is effective at removing stubborn limescale stains in kitchens and bathrooms. It not only cleans surfaces but also disinfects them. Simply gather a handful of fresh peels and rub dirty faucets with the inner side to restore their shine.
Natural Insect Repellent
Orange peels contain limonene, a compound that is toxic to flies, mosquitoes, and moths. Place small pieces of peel near doors and windows to deter insects from entering your home. For personal use, you can rub orange peels on exposed skin areas as a natural preventive measure against insect bites.
Fabric Softener Alternative
You can use orange peels as a natural alternative to commercial fabric softeners. Place a few peels in a small cotton bag and add it to the washing machine with your laundry. They help soften the water and leave your clothes with a fresh, pleasant scent.
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