Emma Miller
Orange peels are not a waste, but a versatile tool for those who know how to use them. They can be used to remove stains, clean the apartment, and even banish pests from the garden.
How to use citrus peels while cleaning
There are as many as 5 ways you can use the peels of oranges or lemons to good effect. Such a useful tiphack will not only help you get another effective detergent but also save money:
- for cutting boards – pour 1-2 tsp of salt, wipe the board with the peels, rinse with water, and wipe dry;
- for bath and shower – pour salt on an orange peel and scrub the tub or shower stall with it;
- for the kettle and coffee pot – add orange peel, 1-2 tbsp of salt, and a few cups of ice water to the container, cover the kettle, shake a few times, and wash with clean water;
- for cleaning the apartment – put citrus peels in a jar, pour vinegar, cover, and leave for a week, and then pour into a sprayer and use as a cleaning agent;
- for dishes – add citrus peels in the dishwasher and turn on the device (no more streaks and stains on glasses and plates).
Given that the peels from oranges and lemons have good antibacterial properties, using such a natural ingredient, you will quickly get rid of mold, mineral deposits, soap scum, or unpleasant odors at home.
What are the benefits of dried orange peels in the vegetable garden?
Experienced gardeners also use peels from citrus fruits in the process of caring for their beds. Due to the large number of useful substances in the composition of orange peels, they have a beneficial effect on the growth of plants, as well as their winter hardiness. In addition, with the help of citrus peels, you can successfully fight off various diseases and pests.
Orange peels from bears and other pests
Limonene is a special substance that is rich in citrus peels, so they are deadly poison for many insects. For effective control of them, it is better to use an infusion:
- Peel 2-3 oranges, crush the peel, pour 1 liter of warm water, and insist in a warm place for 1 week. Then strain, add 2 liters of water and 1 tbsp of liquid soap. Treat the leaves on both sides with the solution.
- Take 100 g orange peels, pour 1 liter of water, and insist in a dark place for 3-4 days, then spray the plants.
- 1 kg of orange peels soak in water, grind in a meat grinder or blender, pour into a three-liter jar and pour warm water. Insist 5 days in a dark place and strain. To use the infusion, you need to dilute 100 ml in 10 liters of water and add 40 grams of soap.
- If you need to get rid of aphids or thrips, it will be enough to treat plants 2-3 times a week.
- Spider mites will disappear if you spray the plant 5-6 times and take a one-week break.
Orange peels as a plant fertilizer
Some gardeners use citrus peels as a plant fertilizer or to improve soil fertility. If you would like to try this method too, you have to bury the orange peels 5 cm into the ground. The crust will saturate the soil with nitrogen compounds and improve plant germination.
You can also throw orange peels in the compost, then they become a microflora nutrient and repel a bunch of insects.
Orange peels for ants and cats
To repel ants from the area, crush 3 oranges in a blender, add 1 cup of water, and pour the resulting porridge over the ant paths. You can also sprinkle the mixture on the anthills – the insects will soon go away on their own.
You can also use citrus peels as a method of controlling cats that come to the garden and spoil the plants. The peels can simply be placed in the beds or buried in the ground. Alternatively, you can boil the orange peels and pour the solution over the beds.
