AnnaMaria
Orange peels are often discarded without a second thought, but did you know that these humble peels hold incredible value? Combined with a common kitchen ingredientâsaltâorange peels become a powerful natural remedy and a household essential. From freshening your home to boosting your beauty routine, this simple combination is something you’ll wonder how you lived without!
In this post, weâll uncover the surprising uses of orange peels and salt, and why youâll be thanking me once you try it out for yourself.
1. Natural Air Freshener: Banish Bad Odors
One of the simplest and most effective uses for orange peels combined with salt is as a natural air freshener. Orange peels are rich in essential oils that carry a fresh, citrusy aroma, while salt absorbs unpleasant odors.
How to Use:
- Place fresh orange peels in small bowls around your home and sprinkle salt over them.
- As the peels dry out, theyâll release a pleasant fragrance that neutralizes bad odors in the air.
- This natural air freshener is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, or even inside your refrigerator to keep it smelling clean.
Not only will your home smell fantastic, but youâll avoid the synthetic chemicals found in store-bought air fresheners!
2. Scrub Away Grease and Grime
Orange peels are great for cleaning due to their high content of limonene, a natural compound that cuts through grease and grime. When you add salt to the mix, youâve got a powerful, natural scrubbing agent that can tackle tough spots on countertops, stovetops, and sinks.
How to Use:
- Rub orange peels sprinkled with salt directly onto greasy surfaces.
- The combination will lift stains, grease, and grime, leaving surfaces shiny and clean.
- Rinse with water and wipe down with a cloth for a fresh-smelling, spotless finish.
This trick works wonders in the kitchen, and it’s a much safer option than using harsh chemical cleaners!
3. Exfoliating Body Scrub for Glowing Skin
Did you know that orange peels are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants? These nutrients can help brighten your skin and fight free radicals, while salt acts as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells. Together, they make for an amazing DIY body scrub that leaves your skin soft, smooth, and glowing.
How to Make:
- Dry out orange peels and grind them into a fine powder.
- Mix the orange peel powder with salt and a little bit of coconut oil or olive oil.
- Gently rub the mixture onto your skin in circular motions, focusing on rough areas like elbows and knees.
- Rinse off with warm water to reveal bright, refreshed skin.
This all-natural exfoliant will leave you feeling pampered without spending a fortune on beauty products!
4. Detox Your Feet with a Relaxing Soak
After a long day, nothing beats a soothing foot soak. Adding orange peels and salt to your soak not only helps to relax tired muscles but also detoxifies your feet and removes any unpleasant odors.
How to Prepare:
- Boil orange peels in water for a few minutes to release their essential oils.
- Pour the boiled water into a foot basin and add salt.
- Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes to relax, deodorize, and soften your skin.
This detox foot soak also helps to improve circulation and relieve stress, making it a great addition to your self-care routine.
5. Natural Pest Repellent
Are ants, cockroaches, or other pests bothering you? The citrus oils in orange peels are natural pest deterrents, and when combined with salt, they create an even more effective repellent.
How to Use:
- Place orange peels sprinkled with salt near windows, doorways, or any areas where pests tend to enter your home.
- The strong scent of the orange peels will drive insects away, while the salt creates an unfavorable environment for them.
This natural pest repellent is safe to use around kids and pets, making it a better alternative to chemical insecticides.
6. Brighten Your Teeth Naturally
Orange peels, when combined with salt, can be used as a natural way to whiten teeth. The limonene in orange peels acts as a mild bleaching agent, while the abrasive texture of salt helps to scrub away surface stains.
How to Use:
- Rub the inside of a fresh orange peel on your teeth for a few minutes.
- Follow up by brushing your teeth with a mixture of salt and a little water.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing to reveal a brighter, cleaner smile.
This method can help reduce the appearance of stains from coffee, tea, and other foods, giving you a natural whitening boost!
7. Make Your Plants Thrive
Donât forget that your garden can benefit from orange peels and salt too! Orange peels are rich in nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, that can help fertilize plants. Salt, when used sparingly, can act as a natural pest repellent for your garden.
How to Use:
- Dry orange peels and crush them into small pieces.
- Sprinkle a small amount of salt and orange peel pieces around the base of your plants.
- As the orange peels break down, they release essential nutrients into the soil, promoting healthy plant growth.
This method also helps to repel garden pests, such as slugs and aphids, without the use of harmful pesticides.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Start Using Orange Peels and Salt Today
The combination of orange peels and salt is an incredibly versatile and natural solution for everything from household cleaning to personal care. By repurposing something youâd normally throw away, youâll not only save money but also reduce waste and introduce more natural, eco-friendly practices into your life.
As Barbara OâNeill often says, âThe simple remedies found in nature can be the most powerful tools for health and wellness.â Whether youâre using this combo for your skin, your home, or your garden, youâll be amazed at the incredible benefits that orange peels and salt have to offer.
