Don’t throw out those orange peels: Here’s 14 ways to use them to their full potential!

Oranges are so great to eat in this hot weather but did you know that there are many amazing and unexpected ways that you can use the leftover orange peel?

So next time you eat an orange, rather than throwing away its peel, consider some of these ideas and put it to good use!

1. Compost

Rather than just throwing them away, add some orange peels to your compost piles, they will help to make your soil more fertile.

2. Mosquito repellent

By rubbing fresh orange peels on your skin, you’ll keep mozzies away. And it’s a very nice smelling alternative!

4. Preserve your brown sugar

Get some clean and fresh orange peels and add them to your jar of brown sugar to keep it fresh and stop it going hard.

5. Start a fire

Out camping and having trouble starting a fire? Add some dried orange peels; the oils make them highly flammable.

6. Stop your clothes getting musty

Fill some old pantyhose with dried orange peels to stop your clothes getting musty.

7. Ant repellent

Ants hate orange peels so put the fresh peels in problem areas or puree the peels with water to make a spray.

8. Stop the rubbish bin smelling

By putting in a few orange peels before the rubbish, you can keep the nasty smells at bay. As an added bonus, this will help to keep bugs away!

9. Remove water stains

Got unsightly water stains on your metal fixtures? The oils in orange peels naturally removes them. Just rub the peel to polish.

10. Shine wood

The white side of the peel can also polish dull-looking wood furniture.

11. DIY Cleaner

Pop some orang peels in a jar and cover with white vinegar. Let it sit in the fridge for a few weeks and shake it occasionally. Transfer to a spray bottle, shake, and use to clean surfaces, floors and windows.

12. Make a candle

All you’ll need is an orange, some cooking oil and a sharp knife. Simply cut in half then cut out the flesh (and eat), leaving behind some pith. Fill up the skin with oil and leave the longest bit of pith sticking out. Light it and breathe in that beautiful scent.

13. Remove tough microwave stains

Clean stubborn splatters in the microwave by placing a few orange peels in a heatproof bowl and covering with water, then heat on high for 5 minutes. The steam from the water will loosen buildup, while the orange peels’ citric acid works to kill bacteria. Even the most caked-on food will wipe away with a damp cloth.

14. Lift soap scum from glassware

Make your glasses sparkle, thanks to this trick: Soak them in a sink filled with warm water and a handful of orange peels for 5 minutes, then wash as usual. The peels’ citric acid will power through the soap scum and mineral deposits that cause cloudiness.

Do you have any other suggestions?