Don’t throw away the orange peel! Discover these 7 fantastic uses that you can give it. Have you ever imagined that you can make wonderful homemade recipes with ingredients that you thought you would throw away?
Oranges are a magnificent fruit with a perfect aroma and many uses. It may sound strange, but orange peels are valuable for various uses that, in addition to being cheap, are natural, without toxic ingredients, beautify our home, our body, our environment and perfume our daily lives with aromas.
Alternative uses for orange peels
Let’s see what are some of the uses that we can give orange peels
1. Aromatize and deodorize the spaces of your home
Oranges are sweet and fragrant fruits, while their aroma is hidden in their peel. There are several ways to flavor and refresh our space with this excellent citrus fruit. We can usually let the peels dry completely before using them as a flavoring and then add them in a special jar with other herbs and spices of our choice.
We can also pulverize the shells and disperse the powder in various parts of the house, even in the closets. If you are a fan of essential oils, you can make homemade orange essential oil and add it to an oil diffuser; It blends perfectly with lavender essential oil.
Another option is to boil the peels in a small saucepan and let the smell spread throughout the house.
2. Works as a long lasting scented candle.
Orange peels can be made into beautiful candles with a fragrant and delicious smell! We must remove the shell so that it is in the shape of a “cup”.
Afterwards, all you have to do is fill this “cup” with olive oil just below the rim and light a small flame in the center of the “pool” of oil. Once you’re done, you’ll have created a candle that will last a long time and fill the room with a rich aroma.
3. Homemade cleaner suitable for all areas of your home
If we “squeeze” the orange peel we will see that the pores produce a kind of oil, so strong that it can make us sneeze – but it has other uses! Mix it with vinegar and you have a multi-cleaner that you can use as an alternative to disinfectant.
This cleaner is non-toxic and has a pleasant scent. The process to make it simple and easy, although it takes about a month for the cleanser to become fat soluble.
Anytime you enjoy your oranges, be sure to place the peels in a jar. Immediately after, add white vinegar until it covers the shells and repeat until full. Once the jar is full, seal it and leave it in a dark place. The shells take time to soften and release a fat-dissolving oil that contains δ-limonin, a powerful chemical with fat-dissolving properties.
Once the mixture is ready, remove the shells and use this aromatic disinfectant in bathrooms, bathtubs, sinks, ovens, floors, windows, etc.
4. It is a good fragrant zest
Like lemon and lime zest, orange zest is an excellent aromatic ingredient in our recipes: add it to cakes, breads, muffins, hamburgers, salads, legumes, baked potatoes and enhance the flavor of your dishes.
All you have to do is grate the peel and add the zest to your pot or pan. If you think the peel is too acidic, try drying it first and use it in powder form. This reduces the acidity and preserves the flavor even more.
5. Natural insect repellent, friendly to the environment.
In recent years, people are turning to natural and ecological insect repellents, which are not only non-toxic, but also do not harm the respiratory system. In fact, when particles from these aerosols settle on furniture surfaces, they can cause severe skin irritation.
Orange water is a natural and effective alternative. Ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, beetles, etc. they hate the scent of oranges, it drives them crazy! Cut the peels into pieces and add them to a bottle filled with water. Let the solution sit for two hours and then shake it vigorously. You can pour all or part of the solution into a spray bottle – the bugs won’t know where to go!
6. Refresh your body with orange zest
Orange peel is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help our skin stay bright, hydrated and fresh. Orange oil also acts as a toner and cleanser, removing dirt and dead cells from the skin’s surface.
Orange peels are best used in combination with other natural ingredients to reduce the effects of acidity that can cause irritation. A very popular solution is the sugar and orange peel scrub, that is, a gentle exfoliating mixture of orange peel, sugar, honey and coconut oil.
Sugar is a natural humectant, that is, it attracts moisture from the environment and hydrates the skin and cleanses the skin of dead cells without causing redness or irritation. Honey is a natural exfoliant rich in antioxidants that rejuvenates and nourishes the skin, maintaining its elasticity and youth. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer with anti-inflammatory properties.
Add the orange peels to a jar with a little sugar, honey, and coconut oil. Mix well until you get a thick and homogeneous mixture. Apply to the skin with a light massage to exfoliate two or three times a week, before your daily shower. You will have a sensation of freshness, softness and aroma throughout the day.
Rinse immediately if you notice any signs of irritation. Stop using it if your skin reacts negatively or if it becomes inflamed. Some skin types can be very sensitive to citrus peels.
7. Salt with a light citrus flavor
One of the most popular uses for orange peel! You can make it easily and it will really give your meals a wonderful citrus aroma that goes well with any dish.
Cut the orange peels into small strips and after drying them, put them in the blender until they become a fine powder and mix them with salt in a shaker. You will absolutely love it!
With these seven great ideas, you won’t have to get rid of orange peel! In fact, you’ll find that you’ll be buying more oranges to make the most of their fragrant peel.