Author: Umi Fatimah
You are certainly familiar with the use of orange peel as a decoration for food. Orange peel is a popular and eye-catching dish decoration. Not only does it add a bright touch, orange peel can provide a citrus aroma to dishes.
However, the use of orange peel is not only for food decoration. There are many uses for orange peels for various household purposes. Here are 8 uses and benefits of orange peels for household purposes that will make you think twice before throwing them in the trash.
1. Natural Cleaning Liquid
Even though it doesn’t seem useful, it turns out that orange peel can be a multi-purpose cleaning agent, loh! Orange peel contains essential oils which have natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Making cleaning fluid using orange peel is very easy. Take enough orange peel that has been cut into pieces and store it with white vinegar in an airtight jar or glass jar. Leave it for 2 to 3 weeks and shake the jar occasionally. Strain the vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle to use as a natural cleaner at home.
When cleaning your house, you can spray this natural cleaning fluid, then wipe with a clean cloth to remove dirt.
2. Eliminates odor from shoes
Apart from being useful as a multi-purpose cleaning fluid, orange peel can also help remove odor from shoes. Apart from having antiseptic and antibacterial properties, the natural oils in orange peel also have a fresh aroma that can mask unpleasant odors.
How to use it is quite simple, just put a few pieces of orange peel into your shoes and leave it for a few hours or overnight. Apart from that, you can also dry orange peel first, then grind it into powder and use the powder as a natural freshener for your shoes.
3. Repels Insects and Protects Plants from Cats
If you want to keep cats away from plants and prevent insects from coming, you can use orange peels. To do this, fill a spray bottle with finely diced orange peel and water. The water soaked in orange peel will spread a fresh aroma.
Don’t worry, using orange peel will not be dangerous for cats. kok. The scattered orange aroma will be strong for cats’ sense of smell, so cats will be reluctant to approach the plant. In fact, this natural insecticide is not dangerous for children, so you don’t need to worry if your little one comes into contact with this orange peel water.
4. Clean the Inside of the Microwave
For those of you who have difficulty cleaning food stains from the microwave, a practical trick from orange peel could be the solution.
Place enough orange peel and water in a microwave-safe container. Then, heat the container in the microwave for 1 minute. After that, carefully remove the container, then clean it by wiping the inside of the microwave with a tissue or cloth.
The steam from the water will remove dried stains and the citric acid in the orange peel will dissolve it, so you can wipe away food splatters easily. This method can also help eliminate unpleasant odors in the microwave, loh!
Read Also: Various Delicious and Practical Microwave Foods
5. Keep brown sugar from clumping
Is the brown sugar that you store lumpy, even though you have stored it in an airtight container? If so, try putting orange peel slices in a jar of brown sugar.
The natural oils in the peel release moisture slowly, keeping the sugar soft and lump-free, without affecting the taste. However, make sure you replace the orange peel every month, of!
6. Polish Wood Furniture
Do you have wooden furniture that looks dull? Now you can handle it easily, just use homemade polish from orange peel.
The method is quite easy, kok. Place the orange peels in a jar of olive oil for at least one week, making sure they are completely submerged. After the shelf life, strain out the orange peel and transfer the orange-infused olive oil into a clean, dry bottle.
Apply a small amount of orange furniture polish to a soft cloth and use it to polish wooden furniture, such as tables, chairs, and cupboards. The natural oils in orange peel nourish and protect the surface of the wood, giving it a beautiful shine. and a refreshing citrus aroma.
7. Clean cloudy glasses
Over time, mineral deposits and coffee/tea residue build up causing the glass to become cloudy and dull. To restore shine to cloudy glassware, you can use a simple solution of orange peel.
Fill a basin with warm water and add a handful of orange peel (lemon or lime are best). Soak glassware for 30-60 minutes, then wash as usual with dish soap and warm water.
The citric acid in the peel helps dissolve mineral deposits and stubborn residue, leaving your glassware clear and sparkling.
8. Natural Air Freshener
Not only is it more economical, making your own air freshener can add extra satisfaction. Nah, You can use orange peel as a natural air freshener, loh!
Place dried orange peels in glass jars or bottles and place them around your house. As they dry, orange peels release their aromatic oils which fill the air with a pleasant citrus aroma.
As an alternative, you can also put dried orange peels in a mesh bag. Also add cloves, cinnamon, or nutmeg to add aroma. Then place the bags around the house
That is the use of orange peel for household purposes. Interesting, right? So, next time you peel an orange, instead of throwing the peel in the trash, you can use the orange peel, of!
Read Also: Tips for Caring for Wooden Stiles So They Are Long Lasting and Mold Free
Atsarina Luthfiyyah (Senior Editor)
Has educational experience in the fields of Culinary and Journalism. His hobbies are writing, traveling and cooking. Masters in Communication Sciences at Gadjah Mada University
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