Don’t Throw Away Orange Peels: Their Surprisingly Useful Everyday Benefits

Many people habitually throw away orange peels, assuming they are nothing more than useless waste. In reality, orange peels have a wide range of practical applications that can help you save money while also being environmentally friendly. Although they are often discarded after eating the fruit, orange peels are rich in essential oils that give them powerful and unexpected benefits. Instead of wasting them, you can put orange peels to good use in your home, garden, and kitchen.

Natural Pest Control for Garden Plants

Snails and slugs can quickly invade gardens and destroy leaves and young plants. Placing fresh orange peels around the base of plants can help protect them. Snails are attracted to orange peels and will feed on them instead of your plants. Fresh peels work best, but if you only have dried peels, soaking them briefly in water will soften them and make them more appealing to pests.

Prevent Cats from Damaging Houseplants

While orange peels have a pleasant citrus scent for humans, cats strongly dislike their smell. Many pet cats have the habit of biting or scratching indoor plants, which can be difficult to stop. Rubbing orange peels on plant leaves or placing peels near flower pots can deter cats naturally, without harming either the plants or your pets.

Remove Mold Safely at Home

During humid weather, mold can easily develop on household surfaces. Orange peels offer a natural and chemical-free solution. Simply place chopped orange peels into a jar and pour white vinegar over them. Let the mixture sit in a dark place for several weeks. The resulting solution can be used to clean and remove mold effectively while leaving a fresh scent behind.

Clean and Refresh Wooden Cutting Boards

Over time, wooden cutting boards may develop dark stains or mold. Rubbing the surface with orange peels, especially when combined with dish soap or baking soda, can help remove grime and odors while naturally disinfecting the wood.

Prevent Sugar from Hardening

Sugar often clumps together when exposed to moisture. Placing a small piece of orange peel in a container or bag of sugar helps regulate humidity and prevents the sugar from hardening, keeping it loose and easy to use.

Enhance Flavor When Cooking

Clean orange peels can add a subtle, pleasant aroma to food. Adding a piece of orange peel to a rice cooker once the water has evaporated helps the rice smell fresher and more fragrant. Similarly, placing orange peel into a pot of bone broth or soup near the end of cooking enhances flavor and reduces unpleasant odors.

Remove Rust and Clean Stainless Steel

Orange peels have mild abrasive and cleansing properties. Rubbing them firmly on rusted stainless-steel surfaces such as sinks, faucets, or cookware can help remove stains and restore shine. They are also effective for cleaning kitchen counters, refrigerator handles, and door knobs.

Deodorize Kitchen Drains

To eliminate unpleasant odors from the kitchen sink, pour ice cubes and orange peels into the drain and run water for about one minute. Then turn off the tap and flush the drain with hot water. This simple method leaves your sink fresh and clean.

Clean Ceramic and Porcelain Items

Tea and coffee stains often leave yellow marks on cups and dishes. Rubbing them with orange peels and a little salt helps remove stains and restores their original shine without harsh chemicals.

Eliminate Microwave Odors

Food smells can easily linger inside a microwave. To deodorize it, place orange peels in a bowl and heat them on high for about one minute. The steam and citrus oils help neutralize odors and leave the microwave smelling clean.

Turn Orange Peels into Organic Fertilizer

Orange peels can be composted to create nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for houseplants and garden plants. Instead of throwing them away, composting orange peels helps reduce household waste, improves soil quality, and supports healthier plant growth.