Squeeze More Life Out of Your Citrus!

Did you know that you are missing out on some of the best parts of citrus?! The rinds + peels of citrus fruit (lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit) may actually be more valuable than the fruit inside. The peel is the source of oil that is used as a solvent in many cleaning products and can be used as a natural pesticide. (It is also super nutritious — an orange peel contains more fiber than the orange itself, plus antioxidants, protein, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin A, and vitamin C — but, we all know, eating the peel just isn’t very appetizing on its own.) After you juice your own fresh oj or freeze leftover lemon/lime juice for refreshing iced lemon/lime water, check out these easy diy ideas to help squeeze more life out of your citrus peels!

↠ all-purpose kitchen cleaner

This has been my go-to use for my leftover peels for years now. It cuts grease, disinfects, and smells delicious. Citrus scents help uplift your mood + elevate your spirit. Simply submerge* the peels in vinegar, let them steep two weeks, then pour the liquid (discard the soaked peels), and mix one part citrus vinegar with one part water (equal 50/50 ratio) for a great counter spray, bathroom cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner. *Make sure that the peels are completely submerged in vinegar to prevent mold!

↠ garbage disposal freshener

Simply throw them into the disposal, then turn on the water and disposal for 30 to 45 seconds. Yup, that’s it. Citrus oils deodorize a garbage disposal just as effectively as conventional products! (If you want to prolong the life, you can freeze the peels in ice cube trays with water and/or vinegar, so you have a cube available any time the disposal starts to stink!)

↠ scouring powder scrub

This recipe calls for dried-out grapefruit rinds ground into powder, borax, and baking soda, to make a wonderful-smelling cleaner for your kitchen sink or toilet. But, any kind of citrus rind will work well! (The same ingredients mixed in different proportions make a carpet freshener.)

↠ Carpet Freshener

Combine 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup borax and 3 tsp. citrus zest in a bowl. Let the mixture sit until all moisture has evaporated. Mix it well and store in a glass jar. Sprinkle it onto dirty carpets and allow it to sit, absorbing odors and loosening dirt. Vacuum the carpets well after!

↠ Frugal Sponge

If you juiced a lemon or orange while cooking, wipe that sucker all over the place before discarding it: cutting board, counter, sink. For tough stains or caked on food, add some coarse salt onto the surface before wiping with the citrus sponge.

↠ Natural Air Freshener

Boil citrus peels along with anything else that smells good to you (fresh rosemary or lavender you picked on a walk, cinnamon sticks that have already been used, etc.) It will make your house smell delicious & it doubles as a humidifier!

↠ Fire Starter

A few peels thrown in the kindling makes for an especially fragrant fire! Use them as fire starters for your grill, fireplace, or campfire. You can use the peels alone, or incorporate them into a fire starter made of rolled newspaper or pine cones. (They work best if you let them dry out for a day or two beforehand. Just collect the peels in a bowl and leave them out in the open or on top of a heater.)

↠ candle

A hollowed-out citrus half can serve both as mold and fragrant holder for a candle (use a drop of the essential oil you made to make the smell even stronger)!

↠ Garden Soil Enricher

Stir powdered citrus rinds into your garden to add sulfur, magnesium, and calcium to the soil.

↠ add zest to your cooking and cocktails

Wash peels well before using them for edibles, and scrape or cut the bitter white pith off the peels. (Some people prefer using only organic peels for edible concoctions.)

↠ Frozen Zest Stash

Many recipes call for a teaspoon or so of lemon (or other) zest. Don’t go out and buy a lemon every time you want to make one of these recipes. Simply zest the fruit with a microplane before peeling or juicing, and store the grated bits in an ice cube trays in your freezer. You can keep it for up to six months (and don't need to defrost it before throwing it into a dish)!

↠ Dry and Save for Tea

Be sure to scrape away as much of the bitter pith as you can. Leave the peels in a single layer on a plate or drying rack for a few days. If you’re very eager, you can also toast them in a 200°F oven until completely dry. (Store in an airtight jar away from direct sunlight.)

↠ Infuse Liquor, vinegar, Butter, or oils!

↠ Candied Peels

Just boil your peels with sugar syrup and store them in the fridge for up to a month.

↠ Body Scrub

Mix your citrus-infused oil with sea salt or sugar to make a refreshing body scrub!

↠ Simple Foot Soak

If you don't have time to make a preparation with citrus peels, just throw some in a tub of hot water for an instant infusion, and soak your worries away!

Other Resources: WiseBread, The Kitchn, Simply Living Well, The Spruce, One Good Thing, Natural Living Ideas