What to Do With Orange Peels: Kitchen to Cleaning Hacks You Need

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Wondering what to do with orange peels? Do not throw them away! Orange peels are useful in cooking, cleaning, beauty, and home care. You can boil, dry, zest, or soak them to add flavor or scent, reduce waste, and even clean surfaces. 

Orange peels can be used for more than you think, from making sweets to making vinegar sprays. Here’s how to use them the smart way.

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What to Do With Leftover Orange Peels?

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Creative Kitchen Uses: Infusions, Zests & Marinades

Citrus peels, like orange peels and lemon peels, add flavor and keep food from going to waste. When cooked the right way, they're great for dressing and cooking.

• Zest for Flavor: Use a vegetable peeler or grater to collect zest for salad dressings, desserts, and roasted vegetables.

• Infuse Oils and Vinegars: Submerge orange peels in olive oil or white vinegar in a sealed jar to add flavor to savory dishes.

• Make Orange Peel Powder: Dry the peels completely and grind them into a fine powder using a food processor.

• Create Marinades: Mix zest with other ingredients like garlic, herbs, and olive oil to marinate meats or tofu.

• Flavor Sugar Syrup: Add orange zest or dried peels into sugar syrup for use in baked goods or drinks.

Sustainable Household Hacks Using Orange Peels

To cut down on food waste and add a natural scent or clean your home, you can use orange peels that you have left over.

• Natural Fire Starter: Dry peels on a wire rack, then use them to help light a stove top or fireplace.

• Freshen Spaces: Place dried citrus peels in a small cloth bag to absorb odors in shoes, drawers, or closets.

• Repel Insects: Citrus peels release natural oils that may have a mild repellent effect on some insects like ants.

• Deodorize Disposal: Toss small pieces into the garbage disposal with hot water for a clean citrus scent.

• Store for Later: Keep dried orange peels in a sealed jar in a dark place to reuse in cleaners or potpourri.

What Does Boiling Orange Peel Do?

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Natural Air Freshener and Mood Enhancer

The smell of fresh citrus fruits fills your home when you boil orange peels. It's a natural way to clean the air that doesn't use chemicals.

• Simmer With Spices: Boil peels with cinnamon, cloves, or star anise to create a pleasant aroma.

• Boost Mood Naturally: Citrus scent and orange oil help reduce stress and boost mood using a compound called d-limonene.

• Avoid Artificial Sprays: This method freshens the air without using synthetic fragrances.

• Use in Small Spaces: Works great in kitchens and bathrooms with proper ventilation.

• Use Fresh or Dried Peels: Dried orange peels work well and release more concentrated scent when boiled.

Health Benefits of Boiling Orange Peel for Tea or Skin

Orange peels that have been boiled are also good for you. You can use the steam or water to make tea or for skin care.

• Make Citrus Peel Tea: Boil orange or lemon peels in water to make a citrus infusion, which may contain trace amounts of antioxidants such as flavonoids.

• Create Facial Steams: Breathe in steam from boiled peels to refresh skin and clear pores.

• Use as a Skin Soak: Add peels to bath water with a few drops of coconut oil for smooth, soft skin.

• Relieve Cold Symptoms: Inhale steam to ease stuffy nose or sore throat during cold season.

• Anti-Inflammatory Support: Some natural compounds in citrus peels have shown anti-inflammatory potential in lab studies, but topical use for swelling or irritation requires more evidence.

How to Make a House Smell Good With Orange Peels?

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Simmer Pot Recipes With Orange Peels

A simple simmer pot makes your home smell amazing using just leftover fruit and pantry spices.

• Basic Mix: Use orange peels, lemon peels, rosemary, and cinnamon in a pot of water on the stove top.

• Use What You Have: Add apple peels, cranberries, or even lemon zest for extra fragrance.

• No Need for Perfume: The natural scent of boiling citrus fills your home without chemical sprays.

• Easy to Refresh: Refill with hot water as it steams out over time.

• Prep Ahead: Freeze citrus scraps in an ice cube tray to drop into simmer pots later.

Homemade Orange Peel Diffusers and Sachets

You can use dried orange peels to make simple, long-lasting air fresheners at home.

• Glass Jar Diffuser: Mix dried orange peels and a few drops of essential oil in a glass jar.

• Fridge or Drawer Sachets: Place peels in small cloth bags to freshen closed spaces.

• Make Citrus Cleaner Cubes: Freeze peels and vinegar in an ice cube tray, then add to a spray bottle later.

• Multi-Use Cleaner: Mix citrus-infused water with an equal amount of white vinegar for a gentle surface cleaner.

• Budget Friendly: These ideas reuse food scraps and avoid wasteful air fresheners.

What Does Soaking Orange Peels in Vinegar Do?

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The Science Behind Orange Vinegar Cleaner

Soaking orange peels in white vinegar creates a natural cleaning spray. This method mixes natural oils from the peels with vinegar to break down grease and grime.

• Natural Oils Work: Orange peels contain orange oil and d-limonene, a natural compound that helps clean and deodorize surfaces.

• Less Vinegar Smell: The citrus scent helps mask the strong vinegar smell in your spray bottle.

• Good for Many Surfaces: This mix is great for countertops, sinks, and bathroom tiles.

• Boosts Cleaning Power: Citrus peels make white vinegar stronger at cutting through grime and buildup.

• Cleaner That Smells Good: Unlike store cleaners, this spray leaves a fresh citrus scent behind.

How to Make and Use DIY Orange Vinegar Cleaner

Simple cooking tools can be used to make this cleaner. There are only a few steps and things you need.

• Step 1: Fill a glass jar with dried orange peels or fresh ones if using right away.

• Step 2: Pour in an equal amount of white vinegar to submerge orange peels completely.

• Step 3: Seal the jar and let it sit in a dark place for at least two weeks.

• Step 4: Strain the mix and pour the liquid into a spray bottle for cleaning use.

• Where to Use: Great for kitchen counters, windows, and garbage bins. Avoid on stone or wood.

About FullyHealthy – Supporting Clean Living Choices

Who They Are and What They Offer

FullyHealthy is an online marketplace focused on natural, allergen-free, and wellness-friendly products. By selling unique brands and foods, they support healthy eating and good habits.

• Allergen-Free Focus: Products are gluten-free, dairy-free, and AIP-compliant.

• Supports Small Brands: FullyHealthy partners with smaller companies that create better-for-you foods.

• Wide Variety: Offers snacks, chocolate, pantry goods, and fruit spreads with clean ingredients.

• Wellness Lifestyle: Ideal for people looking to reduce processed foods and improve daily choices.

• Trusted Platform: Easy to shop and filter for dietary needs, even during citrus season.

Orange-Based Products From Their Store

Beyond the fruit itself, FullyHealthy offers a variety of items to try if you appreciate the vibrant flavor of oranges and the peels of citrus fruits.

• Orange Marmalade: Their fruit spreads like St. Dalfour’s orange marmalade use orange juice and zest.

• Truffle Chocolate: Orange crunch chocolate combines cocoa with citrus peels for a sweet treat.

• Ginger-Orange Spread: Adds lemon zest and ginger for a bold, healthy breakfast option.

• Better Ingredients: No added sugar, artificial flavors, or harmful oils—just natural goodness.

• Inspiration for Recipes: Use these to make salad dressings, glaze roasted vegetables, or mix into baked goods.

Final Thoughts

The peels of oranges are useful and taste great. They also contain natural oils that can be used in cooking. These peels can be turned into candy, used as a body scrub, or mixed with grain alcohol and vinegar to make a spray that smells delicious and reduce food waste. Even the white pith holds value in DIY hacks.

Don't forget what to do with orange peels, it’s worth keeping every bit. Will you throw away your next peel or give it a try?

FAQs

What to do with citrus peels and white pith at home?

You can dry them, make candied peels, or mix them into a body scrub even if it still has white pith.

Can citrus peels be used with grain alcohol?

Yes, submerge citrus peels in grain alcohol to extract orange flavor for cleaning or sprays.

How to use candied peels from citrus peels?

Chop candied peels into small pieces and add to baked goods or sprinkle over desserts for a delicious touch.

What’s a fast citrus peels body scrub recipe?

Mix orange flavor zest with sugar, coconut oil, and dried citrus peels for a quick DIY body scrub.

Why are citrus peels delicious in cooking?

Because citrus peels hold orange flavor, even the bitter white pith adds depth to savory dishes and sweets.