We all know about citrus benefits–lemons, limes, and oranges are good for you and help keep you healthy. What you might not think about is how good the citrus leftovers can be.
Leftover Citrus Benefits
The leftover peels of citrus fruits are full of fiber and low in calories, sugars, and fats, making them a potential, nutritional element for your diet. Though they can be tough to eat on their own, there are plenty of ways for you to introduce them to your diet. Also you can add lemon zest to your teas. You can add grated citrus peels to your favorite fruit smoothies. You can even preserve the citrus fruits with the peels and use them later for future meals.
Natural Cleaning Products
If you prefer not to eat the peels, don’t worry! There are numerous other ways that you can use them for green cleaning. Listed below are a few Mindful ways to get you started using it around your home and garden.
- Scent your home while cleaning dishes. In some water on the stove, boil the peels with a few cloves and/or sticks of cinnamon. Even better, use a pan that needs some deep cleaning and the oil in the peels will help loosen the burnt on food.
- Prevent ants. Puree peels with warm water and spray the mixture anywhere you want to discourage ants.
- Keep sugar soft. Add a piece of peel to your bag of brown sugar.
- Start fires. Use the peels to start fires in a good way! Dry peels make great kindling.
- Better trash. Put peels under your bag to improve odor and prevent insects.
- Clean brass and bronze. Rub used lemon slices covered in baking soda on the metal, let stand and wipe clean.
- Feed bird. Peel your fruit, leaving it in one piece, cover with peanut butter and birdseed and hang in the backyard.
- Refresh clothes. Dry peels, wrap in used dryer sheets and put in closets and drawers.
- Clean glass. Swirl ice cubes, coarse salt, and lemon in a dingy coffee pot or vase and dump down the dispose-all.
- Deodorize. Put your citrus peels through your garbage disposal. This will help clean and deodorize your sink.