Mixing salt with orange peels is a great way to help your home. It acts like a natural scouring agent and grease cutter for your kitchen and bathroom. This “bright and abrasive” habit works well because the d-limonene in the peel and the minerals in the salt help lift stubborn stains and stop the “sticky” and “grimy” feeling of a dirty countertop. It is an easy and cheap way to fix household messes and keep your surfaces feeling fast and fresh. It makes your whole house feel fragrant and polished right away.
Instead of buying expensive store chemical sprays or gritty scouring powders, this simple kitchen duo helps your cleaning stay natural. Once you try it, you will be surprised at how much cleaner your sink looks!
Why Salt and Orange Peels are Good for Your Home
- Dissolve Tough Grease: The natural citrus oils act like a tiny internal solvent, taking away the “oily” and “thick” look of burnt food.
- Absorb Bad Odors: The orange scent acts like a tiny liquid freshener to wash out the “stale” and “musty” feeling of the trash can.
- Scrub Away Stains: The coarse salt acts like a tiny natural sandpaper to keep the “yellow” and “crusted” look away from your ceramic.
- Repel Household Pests: The sharp citrus oil helps the surfaces stay protected and makes the “nibbled” and “crawling” look of ants disappear.
How to Prepare the 5-Minute Citrus Scrub
This is the best way to get the cleaning power to work fast in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 2 fresh orange peels
- 4 tablespoons of coarse sea salt
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 1 small glass jar
Instructions:
- Peel: Remove the bright skin from the orange and chop it into small squares.
- Layer: Put a thick layer of orange peels into the bottom of the glass jar.
- Cover: Pour the coarse salt over the peels to help the oils release into the minerals.
- Fill: Add the white vinegar to the jar until the peels are completely covered.
- Steep: Let the jar sit in a dark cupboard for 24 hours to release the cleaning enzymes.
- Apply: Use a sponge to scoop the salty orange mixture onto a dirty sink or cutting board.
- Scrub: Move the sponge in firm circles for 3 minutes until the grime lifts.
- Rinse: Wash the surface with warm water to remove the salt and the orange bits.
- Dry: Wipe the area with a soft cloth to see the shine.
- Result: Your sink will look very bright and your kitchen will be very fresh.
Three Simple Tips
- Coarse Salt: Use large sea salt crystals instead of fine table salt to get the best results for a very deep and effective scrubbing power.
- Dry the Peels: If you want to use it as a room freshener, let the salted peels dry in a bowl to see the best results for a long-lasting scent.
- Avoid Marble: Only use this scrub on stainless steel, tile, or ceramic to make sure the acid stays away from sensitive natural stones.
One Last Tip
You will know the Salted Orange Peel Secret is working when your “counters feel smooth” and your “kitchen smells like fruit!” It is a great way to look after your home with simple items from the fruit basket and the pantry.
