Uses For Lemon Peels

Home and Garden - General

By: dakotalee 11-Mar-2011

Introduction:

What can you do with left over lemon peels? Well actually there are tons of uses, so after reading this you'll never toss a peel again.

Clean & Polish

Lemon peels are great for cleaning up greasy messes and polishing stainless steel, copper and chrome.

To clean up a greasy microwave add lemon peel to a microwave safe bowl half filled with water. Microwave on high for at least five minutes allowing the water to boil and steam. Once the bowl has been removed simply wipe down the microwave walls with a clean cloth.

Removing the mineral deposits from your kettle is a simple task. Add a few thin slices of lemon peel along with water and bring to the boil. Once boiled let it rest for an hour and then thoroughly rinse the kettle with water.

To make your coffee pot sparkle again add lemon peel along with ice and salt, give it a couple of swirls then rinse.

Half a squeezed lemon rubbed on chrome or stainless steel will quickly remove mineral deposits and with a quick buff these surfaces will be looking polished.

Polishing copper is also easy using half a squeezed lemon dipped in salt or baking soda. Simply rub the affected area with the lemon, let stand for five minutes and rinse.

Scent & Deodorize

You can deodorize the garbage disposal, make a scented humidifier or even freshen up cutting boards with lemon peels.

To get rid of those nasty garbage disposal smells drop lemon peels along with a handful of baking soda into the disposal.

Humidify and scent the air at the same time by adding a few lemon peels into a pot of simmering water.

After disinfecting your chopping board simply rub lemon peel or half a squeezed lemon over the board to freshen it up. Let it rest for a few minutes then rinse with water.

If your fire starts to produce horrible smells in winter simply burn a few lemon peels along with the wood.

Edible Goodies

There are a heap of edible goodies that can be created using lemon peels so there's definitely no need to throw them out.

The easiest thing to make from left over lemon peel is lemon zest. It's so versatile and can be used fresh, dried or frozen in salads, marinades and baked goods.

Lemon extract powder can also easily be made from lemon peels. Cut the lemon peel into strips and remove any of the white pith because this can be bitter. Let these strips dry skin side down for about four days and then pulverize in a blender to form a powder. This powder can be added to sugar or freshly cracked pepper for a zingy twist.

Candied lemon peels are also a yummy eaten alone, dipped in chocolate or used in cakes and cookies.

Lemon peel can also be added to brown sugar to keep it soft and stop it turning into a brick.

Beauty

Lemon peels can also be used in your beauty regime.

Age spots can be lightened by placing a small piece of lemon peel on affected areas for about an hour.

Lightly rub lemon peel on your face before rinsing with warm water for a refreshing skin tonic.

Finely chopped lemon peel mixed with half a cup of sugar and olive oil can create a zesty sugar scrub for your whole body.

Lemon peel rubbed across your teeth can make them glow giving them a whitening affect.

Lemon zest along with grapefruit zest, mint leaves and water can create a delicious toner. Boil 1 cup of water along with 1/4 cup lemon zest, 1/4 cup grapefruit zest and 1 cup of fresh mint leaves. Let the mix cool, strain and then store in the fridge for up to four weeks.

Repel Insects

Combat insects and pests naturally with lemon peels.

Place chopped up lemon zest along windowsills, cracks or holes that you suspects insects are entering from. The acid in the peel deters these annoying pests.

You can sprinkle lemon peel in your garden to keep ants away.

Dried lemon peels are a natural moth deterrent. Place a few peels in your clothes draw or tie a handful up in cloth and hang in your closet.

Give this list a high five!

Comments

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tracyann 4/30/2011
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Excellent list.
snowfence 4/7/2011
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Great article for my friends blog, thanks! H5
litetender 3/11/2011
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Excellent list for using what most of us simply throw away!