Orange peels are often thrown away, but they’re actually packed with nutrients and have a variety of useful properties. When you combine orange peels with salt, you create a powerful natural solution that can be used in several surprising and helpful ways. Here are some incredible reasons why you’ll want to start adding salt to orange peels and how it can benefit your home and health.

1. Natural Air Freshener

Orange peels have a fresh, citrusy scent that can naturally deodorize your home. Adding salt to orange peels enhances their ability to absorb unpleasant odors.

How to Use:

  • Sprinkle salt on fresh orange peels and place them in different areas of your home, like the kitchen or bathroom, to neutralize odors.

  • Leave them in the fridge or garbage disposal to freshen the air and eliminate any bad smells.

2. Powerful Cleaner for Tough Stains

The combination of salt and orange peels creates a natural scrub that’s perfect for removing tough stains, especially on metal surfaces. The acidity of the orange peels helps cut through grease, while the salt provides gentle abrasion to lift away grime.

How to Use:

  • Sprinkle salt on the inside of an orange peel and use it to scrub dirty pots, pans, sinks, or even stovetops.

  • Rub the peel over the surface in a circular motion to clean and polish metal surfaces.

3. Natural Pest Repellent

The strong scent of orange peels mixed with salt can help keep pests like ants, mosquitoes, and flies away. Orange peels contain limonene, a natural compound that repels many types of insects.

How to Use:

  • Place salt-covered orange peels near windows, doors, or other entry points to deter pests from coming inside.

  • You can also leave them in areas where you’ve seen insects to keep them at bay.

4. Skin Exfoliator

Orange peels are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, making them great for your skin. When combined with salt, they create a natural exfoliant that removes dead skin cells, brightens your complexion, and promotes a healthy glow.

How to Use:

  • Dry orange peels and grind them into a fine powder.

  • Mix the orange peel powder with a pinch of salt and water to form a paste.

  • Gently scrub your face or body with the paste to exfoliate and brighten your skin.

5. Cleans Cutting Boards

Cutting boards can harbor bacteria, stains, and odors from foods like garlic, onions, and meat. Orange peels, combined with salt, can naturally clean and deodorize your cutting boards.

How to Use:

  • Sprinkle salt on the cutting board, then rub it with an orange peel to clean and deodorize.

  • Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then rinse with water and dry.

6. Whitening Teeth

Believe it or not, orange peels with salt can help naturally whiten teeth. The vitamin C and calcium in orange peels support healthy gums and teeth, while salt acts as a gentle abrasive to scrub away stains.

How to Use:

  • Rub the inside of a fresh orange peel (the white pith) onto your teeth.

  • Sprinkle a small amount of salt on the peel before rubbing for extra whitening power.

  • Rinse your mouth after a few minutes to reveal a brighter smile.

7. Freshens Garbage Disposals

If your garbage disposal smells bad, orange peels with salt can freshen it up quickly. The citrus oils deodorize while the salt helps scrub away any residue inside the disposal.

How to Use:

  • Toss a few small pieces of orange peel with a handful of salt into your garbage disposal.

  • Turn on the disposal with cold water running to clean and freshen the appliance.

Conclusion:

Adding salt to orange peels transforms them into a multi-purpose tool that can freshen the air, clean tough surfaces, and even enhance your beauty routine. From natural cleaning to pest control and skincare, this simple combination has endless possibilities. Give it a try, and you’ll be amazed at how such a common item can make such a difference in your home and life!