Discover a simple way to reuse orange peels in water for a refreshing homemade household solution, plus practical tips for preparation, storage, and safe use.
Orange Peels: Dip Them in a Bottle of Water and Save Money
Before throwing orange peels into the trash, consider giving them a second use. Orange peels contain aromatic oils and natural compounds that can be useful around the home.
A simple orange-peel infusion can be made with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen, potentially helping you reduce waste and avoid buying certain heavily scented household products.
How to Make an Orange-Peel Infusion
You only need a few things:
- Peels from 1–2 oranges
- About 1 bottle of water
- A clean glass jar or bottle
Step 1: Wash the Oranges
Wash the oranges thoroughly before peeling them, particularly if you plan to use the peel.
Step 2: Add the Peels
Place the fresh orange peels into a clean bottle or jar.
Step 3: Add Water
Fill the container with water and close it securely.
Step 4: Let It Infuse
Allow the peels to sit in the water for several hours so their aroma and some water-soluble compounds can infuse into the liquid.
For a stronger-smelling infusion, you can refrigerate it overnight.
What Can You Use It For?
A Refreshing Scent
The infused water can have a pleasant citrus aroma. You can place it in a spray bottle and use it as a light household fragrance.
However, homemade citrus water isn’t the same as a commercial disinfectant or antibacterial cleaner. Don’t rely on it to sanitize surfaces.
Freshen Certain Household Areas
A small amount can be used to freshen areas such as a kitchen sink or garbage bin, provided the surface is compatible with moisture.
Always test homemade mixtures on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Reduce Food Waste
Perhaps the biggest benefit is simply putting something that would normally be discarded to another use.
Orange peels contain fragrant essential oils, particularly limonene, which is responsible for much of their characteristic citrus scent.
Don’t Store It Indefinitely
Fresh orange peels sitting in water can spoil.
Keep homemade citrus infusions refrigerated and discard them if you notice cloudiness, fermentation, mold, an unpleasant smell, or other changes.
Making a small batch that you can use relatively quickly is safer than storing a bottle for weeks.
A Better Way to Use Orange Peels
You can also dry orange peels and use them as a fragrant addition to homemade potpourri, or zest clean oranges when recipes call for citrus flavor.
The Bottom Line
Orange peels don’t need to go straight into the trash. Soaking them in water is an inexpensive way to reuse kitchen scraps and create a pleasantly scented infusion.
Just remember that a homemade orange-peel mixture isn’t a replacement for a proper disinfectant or specialized cleaning product. Use it primarily as a simple, low-cost way to reduce waste and add natural citrus fragrance to your home.