14 incredible uses for lemon peel

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But what about their peels?

Here’s 14 awesome ways to put those peels to good use!

1. Keep brown sugar soft

Adding some lemon peel (with traces the pith removed) to your brown sugar can help keep it moist and easy to use. Make sure your peel is dried well before putting in the jar.

2. Lemon all-purpose cleaner

Also known as lemon vinegar, it is a great all-natural disinfectant. Simply put a bunch of lemon peels in any sized glass jar and pour white vinegar all over. Put the lid on and let it sit for two weeks, then strain the liquid. Combine this with water (50/50 ratio) and then use as normal in a spray bottle.

3. Get rid of ants and pests

Place small slices of lemon peel windowsills, doorways, or near cracks or holes where ants or pests are lurking about. Ants do not like lemon and will not enter your home. Lemons are also effective against cockroaches and fleas.

4. Freshen your fridge

Place a lemon peel or two inside your fridge to absorb smells and bring a strong citrus scent.

5. Rid your bin of smells

Pop a few lemon peels in the bottom of the rubbish bin to help absorb odours and keep things smelling fresh.

6. Clean your kettle or coffee pot

To clean your kettle, fill with water and add a handful of thin lemon peels. Bring it to a boil then turn off the heat. Let sit for an hour, drain, and rinse well.

To clean your coffee pot, simply add your lemon peels with some ice and salt. Whirl everything around for a minute or two and rinse.

7. Sanitise your cutting board

Lemon’s natural acidity provides great antibacterial properties to home cleaning. After properly cleaning your cutting boards, rub the surface with half a lemon. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing.

8. Clean your microwave

Microwaves are prone to build-ups and can be hard to clean. So to get off grime easily, add lemon rinds to a microwave-safe bowl filled halfway with water. Cook on high for five minutes, allowing the water to boil and the steam to condense on the walls and tops of the oven. Remove the bowl and wipe away the mess.

9. Make firelighters

Bake discarded lemon peels until they darken. Pop in your barbecue and you’ve got all natural, cheap lighters!

10. Clean your stainless steel, polish your chrome, and make your copper shine

Simply sprinkle some sea salt on the metal, and then use the lemon peel to scrub away any dirt, grime, or stains. Rinse and polish.

11. Nail whitener

Whiten fingernails by rubbing with a lemon peel and leaving residue for 20 minutes. Rinse off and repeat daily.

12. Lighten age spots

Apply a small piece to your age spot and leave on for an hour or two. Repeat until area has lightened.

13. Soften dry elbows

Use a half lemon sprinkled with bi-carb soda on elbows and place your elbow in the lemon. Twist for several minutes then rinse and dry.

14. Clean grease

Have you got baked on grease on pans and stove tops? Sprinkle some salt on a juiced lemon half and rub on the greasy areas, then wipe up with a cloth.

What are your favourite uses for lemons and lemon peels?