The skin of fruit and vegetables aren’t great tasting, and often get thrown out with the garbage. But there are plenty of alternative uses for them around the house. Here are some of our favorites.
Cleaning/housekeeping
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Clean the stove with lemon
After you have juiced your lemon, don’t throw away the rind. You can use it to clean grease off your stove. Sprinkle the stove with salt or baking soda and then scrub the area with the lemon pith. The acidic properties of lemon juice helps cut through grease, and you get a nice scent in your kitchen.
Shine leaves of house plants with bananas
If you have large house plants, you would have to wipe the leaves often to make them look clean. Use the flesh side of banana peels to wipe the leaves—it will shine them and act as a natural pesticide.
Banana leather polish
You can also use banana peels to polish leather shoes and sofas. Test them out on a small patch first to see if any discoloration happens. If everything looks fine, rub the area with the flesh side of a banana peel and use a clean, soft cloth to polish the material.
Polish silverware with calamansi
The top of calamansi is usually sliced off and the rest of the fruit is squeezed to add flavor to dishes such as mee rebus and barbecued seafood. Save the top ends to rub on your silverware. The citric acid will help to remove rust and tarnish. Wipe away the excess juice with a clean cloth and you are done.
Beauty/Health
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Papaya skin foot moisturiser
If you have cracked heels, save the skin of papayas. Rub the flesh side on your heels and massage your foot. It will help soften your skin. Remember to rinse off.
Banana body scrub
Sprinkle sugar on the flesh side of a banana peel and rub it gently over your body. It will help to exfoliate dead skin cells. Don’t forget to rinse it all off.
Avocado moisturizer
After exfoliating, you’ll need to moisturize your skin. Rub the fleshy part of an avocado peel, and let the natural oils do their job. Leave it on for five to ten minutes and then rinse off.
Potato hair dye
Is your hair greying and you want black hair? Boil potato peels in water for half an hour. When it cools down, use the water to rinse your hair after you have shampooed it. It will gradually darken your hair after a few washes.
Peach face scrub
Sprinkle a bit of sugar on the flesh side of peach skins and gently rub it on your face. The flesh is rich in Vitamin C and E, which helps to revitalize and moisturise your skin.
Pomegranate skin for diarrhea
Cut pomegranate skin into small circles and dry them. Store them in an airtight container. When you have diarrhea, boil a few pieces in water with a cinnamon stick. Drink it when it has cooled down.
Gardening
Photo: myromanapartment.com
Orange seedling pots
Oranges and grapefruits can be used as organic seedling pots. Cut the fruit into half and scoop out the flesh. Use the rind as a pot to plant your seeds. When the seeds grow, you can plant the entire pot and save time. It also acts as fertilizer when it decomposes.
Cucumber insect repellent
Alkaloids are substances that repels insects. They are found in cucumbers, so don’t throw away the skin after you have peeled your cucumbers. Rub the peel on the parts of your house where you don’t want ants. It is a less toxic way to get rid of insects.
Cat repellant
Leave orange peels along the areas you don’t want cats around. They don’t like the scent and will avoid those areas.
If you know of more ways to make the most of out fruit and vegetable skins, share it on your miniblog with #miglifetips.
- by @nattylim
http://discover.mig.me/2014/10/14/uses-fruit-vegetable-skins/#sthash.ftTh6UvT.dpuf
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