What to do with orange peels: lots of surprising ideas to discover!

It is known that the peel of some fruits contains the most nutritious and beneficial substances. Orange peel is a real treasure for those who know how to use it. Many people just throw it away not knowing that there are different ways to reuse orange peels. Did you know that the orange peel contains almost 2 times more vitamin C than the orange itself? It turns out that it is extremely versatile, so we will offer you a variety of ideas how to make the most of the simple peels.

Orange peels can be successfully used in three main areas – gastronomy, cosmetology and housekeeping. They are often used in home decor projects as well. If you decided to use orange peel, then you should keep in mind two considerations:

• Oranges are often sprayed with various chemicals to keep them better. Therefore, it is very important to wash them thoroughly with soap or baking soda before eating.
• To keep orange peels, make sure they are well dried. Otherwise, they will begin to rot. It is best to dry in a warm dry place or dry in an oven.

Medicinal properties of orange peel

Orange peel has beneficial properties and is used in many traditional medicine recipes for prevention, strengthening of immunity and recovery. According to Ayurveda, orange peel is bitter, and this bitterness has a very good effect on the metabolism in the human body and improves digestion. It is an effective remedy for relieving nausea. Orange peel powder helps to dissolve mucus in the airways, fight coughs and even asthma.

The essential oils that oranges are rich in have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. They maintain normal acidity in the stomach. In addition they help cleansing the liver.

The consumption of orange peels is very appropriate for people who are overweight, as essential oils neutralize excess cholesterol. According to scientists, the flavonoid hesperidin prevents the development of osteoporosis and colon cancer.

The oils in oranges have a sedative effect, so they can be used for soothing and relaxing baths and inhalations for insomnia and nervous exhaustion.

Candied orange peel is an excellent dry cough remedy. The remedy soothes the mucous membrane and promotes the separation of phlegm. A decoction from the peel will help improve appetite and normalize digestion. The zest is also useful for rinsing in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the oral cavity.

Regularly adding dry orange peels to tea or simply brewing 1 teaspoon of zest in a glass of water helps normalize digestion, reduces bad cholesterol levels in the blood and prevent colds.

How to use orange peels for homemade beauty products?

Orange peels are great helpers to natural beauty as contain anti-oxidants that protect your skin. They are excellent remedy for oily skin, for example, and make the skin soft and smooth, more balanced and reduce oiliness. Orange peel particles are a natural scrub that easily exfoliates all unnecessary skin particles, including blackheads. In addition, they also fight acne.

Here are some recipes for you!

Homemade lip scrub recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried orange peels
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• ½ tsp. Himalayan pink salt
• 2 tsp. honey
• 1 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil, at room temperature

Preparation:

Put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir.

If using a mortar and pestle, lightly grind the ingredients until you get a uniform but coarse paste.

Transfer the mixture to a container with a lid and seal tightly.

Take a small amount, apply it on the lips and rub gently for 1-2 minutes. Let sit for an additional 1 minute before wiping with a damp cloth.

Finally, apply a lip balm or moisturizer.

DIY Orange scented body scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of light brown sugar
• 1 cup of white sugar
• ½ cup of olive oil
• 5 drops of sweet orange essential oil
• 2 tbsp. crushed dried orange peels

Instructions :

In a bowl, put the white sugar and light brown sugar and stir.

Add the olive oil and stir.

Add the essential oils and stir.

Transfer the scrub in a glass jar with a lid.

Prepare a homemade mask for healthy skin

Dry the peels of an orange, then crush them to a fine powder. Mix the powder with 1 tbsp. of honey and 1 tsp. of yogurt. Apply the mask to the face and leave on for 5 minutes. Then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Orange peels for problem skin

Thanks to their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, orange peels are a very effective natural remedy for problem skin. To fight against pimples, all you have to do is prepare a simple ointment made from powdered dried orange peels and petroleum jelly. By applying it to critical areas, you will prevent pimples from appearing.

Orange peels for impeccable oral hygiene

After meals, swap the chewing gum for 1-2 organic orange peels. Why ? The peels of the citrus fruit will allow you to fight against bad breath while benefiting from the antibacterial properties of orange. You can use the peels to whiten your teeth as well. Add ground crusts to the toothpaste or simply rub your teeth with the inside of a fresh orange peel. This will strengthen your teeth and help remove yellow plaque. This method t is completely safe and does not affect the sensitivity of the teeth.

Orange peels for hair rinsing

Using peels for hair rinsing will make your hair shine and easier to comb. The recipe is simple: Pour hot water over fresh or dried citrus peel in a proportion of 1-2 tablespoons of peels per glass of water. The mixture is allowed to brew and cool for 3-5 hours, then filter and rinse the hair with it.

Orange peel and honey face mask recipe

The mask makes the skin smooth and effectively cleans pores. Honey and zest are mixed in equal proportions and applied to the face with gentle massaging movements. Wait 8-10 minutes, then wash off the mask with warm water, then apply a light moisturizer

Homemade bath soak

Pour 1 liter of boiling water over 1-2 cups of fresh or dried orange peel. The mixture is cooled and filtered. Add half a glass of sea salt and honey, plus a few drops of your favorite essential oil. The resulting liquid is poured into a bath. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal effect, the peel copes well with rashes and heals wounds.

How to use orange peels for cleaning?

Orange oil in fresh peel is an excellent detergent, environmentally friendly product for dirty tile surfaces or sinks. Orange peel contains enough essential oil to be used as an antibacterial cleanser that you can be sure of being environmentally friendly.

Use them as a sponge

Orange peels turn out to be a beautiful natural sponge. To clean a dirty sink or stove, just use a fresh orange peel to scrub the surface. The natural oils in citrus are an effective natural degreaser and cleanser.

Remove lime traces from glasses

For your glasses to regain their shine, all you have to do is soak them in the sink filled with hot water, with a handful of orange peels added. Leave on for at least 5 minutes, then wash the glasses with your usual washing liquid. Another useful tip is to use orange peels to scrub faucets and appliances stained with water marks. They will regain their shine immediately.

Clean wooden surfaces

Orange peels are a miraculous wood cleaner that leaves treated surfaces clean and shiny. Best of all: the furniture will smell like citrus!

Make a natural cleanser

Prepare a natural cleanser from 1 handful of orange peels and 300 ml of white vinegar. Put the ingredients in a mason jar and let sit for 2 weeks. Filter the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle. The cleanser is very effective thanks to the citric acid in the orange. In addition, white vinegar is perfect for disinfecting surfaces.

DIY natural fridge deodorant

You can get rid of fridge odors easily. Fill the peel of half an orange with salt and leave in the refrigerator. Salt absorbs odor and moisture, while citrus will leave a pleasant scent in the fridge. Once the salt is wet, remove the peel. If necessary, repeat, renewing the ingredients.

Clean the microwave

Cleaning the microwave can sometimes be a hassle, especially when there are tough stains such as tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, fat etc. Don’t panic, the orange peels come to your aid. Place orange peels in a microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to cover the peels. Run the microwave at maximum power for 5 minutes. Once this time has elapsed, wipe it with a sponge. You will find that the stains come off effortlessly.

What to do with orange peels in the kitchen?

Orange peel enhances the flavor and aroma of many dishes. It contains a lot of vitamin C and the natural sugar contained in the peel improves immunity.

• Enhance your meals
• Use the orange zest in your recipes to add a delicious tangy note. The ingredient is perfect for cakes and cakes as well as for salad dressings.
• Prevent brown sugar hardening
• Add orange peels to the brown sugar container. The oils in the peels will absorb the moisture from the sugar, preventing it from solidifying.
• Make candied orange peels

 

• Candied orange peels make excellent garnishes for various desserts, pastries and chocolate puddings. Another idea is to coat the candied peels with chocolate.
• Make infused olive oil
• Use orange (or lemon) peels to infuse olive oil. This tip is perfect for giving your salads a clean taste.
• Flavor your tea
• Dried orange peels are a wonderful addition to your next cup of tea. This unusual ingredient will infuse a subtle citrus taste with every sip of the hot drink.
• You can oven dry the rinds and then store in a jar or grind into a powder and add to smoothies and homemade vitamin blends.

DIY projects with orange peels

As you see, you can reuse orange peels in many different ways – for cleaning or homemade beauty products. With a little bit of creativity, citrus peels can be used in many DIY projects, home decorations, etc.

DIY Natural home freshener

Take two orange peels, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, a spoonful of ground cloves, and 3 cinnamon sticks. Fill a saucepan with two tablespoons of vinegar and water, add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, and cook your homemade potpourri at low heat. The advantages of such a natural air freshener are obvious: it is cheap, natural and helps not only spread a pleasant scent, but also humidify the air.

Moth remedy

Place dried peels in a sachet and hang in the wardrobe.

DIY mosquito repellent

Pour boiling water over fresh peels, let brew and transfer to a spray bottle.

A natural fire starter

The essential oils in orange peels are flammable and offer a slower combustion, that is to say, you will be able to enjoy the heat of your fire longer. Dry the peels overnight, then insert them into the fireplace and light them. It will not take long for the fire to ignite while giving off a pleasant scent.

A scented sachet for your cabinets

Put some dried peels in a small muslin bag. Place the bag in a cabinet or cupboard. The peels absorb and neutralize bad odors while perfuming and refreshing the interior of the cabinets.

Make a bird feeder

Nothing could be easier than making a bird feeder from an orange. Cut the citrus fruit in half and remove the flesh. Drill holes and add strong strings. Fill it with birdseed and hang it on a tree branch.