Orange peels, often discarded after squeezing out the juice, are actually a valuable resource for home, beauty and cooking. Discover 10 Creative Ways to Reuse Orange Peels and make the most of their natural benefits.
Orange peels should definitely not be thrown away after juicing! They still contain a wide range of benefits for home, beauty and cooking. Here are ten simple and practical ideas for turning them into useful, natural resources.
1. Natural Cleaning for the Home
Orange peels are rich in essential oils with natural degreasing properties. Put the peels in a jar with white vinegar and let them steep for about a week. Strain the liquid and transfer it to a spray bottle to create an environmentally friendly cleaner that cleans and scents kitchen surfaces.
2. Air Freshener
Orange peels are perfect for creating a natural air freshener for the home. Boil the peels together with cinnamon and water to get a soothing, citrusy fragrance that eliminates odors naturally.
3. Natural Skin Exfoliant
By drying the peels and grinding them into a powder, you can make an excellent natural skin scrub. Mix the powder with sugar or sea salt and coconut oil for an exfoliating treatment that leaves your skin smooth, soft and glowing.
4. Infusions and Herbal Teas
Add dried orange peels to herbal teas for a warm, digestive drink. Perfect with a little honey, this citrusy herbal tea is ideal for relaxing after meals.
5. Orange Flavored Oil.
To create an orange-scented oil for use in cooking or desserts, soak the peels in olive or seed oil and let them sit for a couple of weeks. The result will be an oil perfect for dressing salads or giving a special touch to your dishes.
6. Relaxing Bath Salts
Mix dried peels with coarse salt and a few drops of essential oil (lavender or eucalyptus) to create scented bath salts. These salts relax muscles and scent the water, providing a total wellness experience.
7. Natural Shoe Deodorant
If your shoes give off unpleasant odors, put dried orange peels inside to absorb moisture and neutralize odors. You can also add mint leaves or rosemary for a more powerful deodorizing effect.
8. Citrus Preserves and Jams.
Don’t throw away the peels! Cut them into small pieces, boil them, and cook them with sugar to create an intensely flavored, wholesome orange marmalade perfect for your breakfasts or as an addition to cakes and desserts.
9. Candied Fruit for Sweets and Snacks
Orange peels are perfect for making DIY candied fruits. Just cut them into strips, boil them several times to remove the bitterness, and then caramelize them with sugar. Candied fruits can be enjoyed as snacks or used as an ingredient in desserts.
10. Compost for the Garden
Orange peels are great for enriching compost because of their richness in nutrients. By shredding them, they decompose quickly, fertilizing the soil and improving the health of your garden plants.
