They Don’t Have to Be Thrown Away

on They Don’t Have to Be Thrown Away

Squeezed oranges should not be thrown away: even after extracting the juice, they remain full of precious benefits for the home, beauty and cooking!

Here are ten simple and practical ideas for turning orange peels into useful resources.

1. Natural cleaning for the home

Orange peels contain essential oils that function as natural degreasers. Put the peels in a jar with white vinegar and let them steep for a week. Filter the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle: you will have an ecological all-purpose detergent, excellent for cleaning and perfuming kitchen surfaces.

2. Air freshener

Make the air in your home fresh and citrusy: put the orange peels in a pot with water and cinnamon, and let them cook over low heat. This mix will release a natural and relaxing scent, perfect for eliminating unpleasant odors.

3. Natural skin exfoliator

Let the peels dry, then grind them into powder with a blender or mortar. Mix the powder with sugar or sea salt and coconut oil, resulting in a body scrub that gently exfoliates the skin, leaving it soft and glowing.

4. Infusions and herbal teas

If you like hot drinks, orange peels are an excellent addition. Dry the skins and add them to hot water for a citrus herbal tea, to be enjoyed alone or with a little honey. A digestive and relaxing panacea!

5. Orange scented oil

To create a citrus oil for cooking or flavoring desserts, put the orange peels in olive or seed oil and let them steep for a couple of weeks. Filter the oil and use it to dress salads or give a special touch to desserts and savory preparations.

6. Relaxing bath salts

Mix the dried peels with coarse salt and a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil. Use this mix in the bath for a moment of relaxation: the salt helps relax the muscles, while the orange peels perfume the water and soften the skin.

7. Deodorante per scarpe

The orange peels, left to dry completely, can be placed inside the shoes to absorb bad odors. They work especially well if you also add a few mint or rosemary leaves to enhance the deodorizing effect.

8. Preserves and jams

You don’t need to give up jam even without pulp! Cut the peels into small pieces, boil them and cook them with sugar or natural sweetener, obtaining a citrus jam to spread on bread or to add to desserts. Perfect for lovers of the intense taste of orange.

9. Candied fruit for sweets and snacks

Cut the peels into strips and boil them several times to remove the bitterness. Then cook them with sugar and a little water until caramelized, creating candied fruit to be enjoyed as a snack or to use in desserts. For a more delicious version, dip the candied fruit in dark chocolate.

10. Garden Compost

Orange peels, which are rich in nutrients, can be added to compost to fertilize the soil. Cut into small pieces, they decompose more quickly and help make the soil fertile and rich in vitamins, great for vegetable plants.

Recycling orange peels is a great way to avoid waste, save money, and reduce the use of chemicals. These uses will not only allow you to make the most of each orange, but they will also bring a touch of freshness and naturalness into your home.

Important: This website does not give medical advice, nor does it suggest the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical problems, for which medical advice is required. If you decide to apply the information contained in this site, you do not assume responsibility for it. The intention of the site is to be illustrative, not exhortative or didactic.