What if your orange peels became your everyday allies? Too often thrown in the trash, orange peels offer many possibilities for adopting a zero-waste approach.
Air freshener, cooking ingredient, creative DIY project— recycling orange peels reduces waste while saving money. In this article, discover 5 ideas for reusing orange peels at home.
So, how can orange peels be recycled?
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5 ways to recycle orange peels
Orange peels are full of unexpected uses. From natural air fresheners to tasty ingredients and creative DIY projects, discover how to easily recycle orange peels in your daily life.
👃 A natural deodorant
Orange peels are ideal for eliminating unpleasant odors naturally. Thanks to their deodorizing properties, citrus fruits effectively neutralize odors in closets, shoes, or small confined spaces.
👉 How to do it
Place a few clean, dry peelings in a small cloth bag, then put it in your cupboards or shoes. Their fresh, tangy scent will give off a pleasant feeling of cleanliness. Remember to replace the peelings regularly to maintain optimal effectiveness.
A simple, economical, and chemical-free solution for a home that smells great!
🍊 Orange powder to flavor your dishes
Turn your orange peels into fragrant powder ✨ This orange powder is perfect for flavoring dishes and desserts (yogurt, cakes, cookies). It's a great way to reduce food waste while adding a touch of citrus to your recipes.
- Choose organic, untreated oranges.
- Peel your oranges, avoiding as much as possible the white part, which is more bitter.
- Leave the peels to dry in the open air for a few days.
- Blend them finely once they are completely dry.
- Store the powder in an airtight jar.
🍬 Candied orange peel
Fans of orangettes and candied fruit will love this anti-waste tip.
Recipe for candied orange peel:
- Cut the orange peels into thin strips.
- Boil them for 5 minutes to remove the bitterness, then drain.
- Prepare a syrup with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar.
- Simmer the peel in the syrup over low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until it becomes translucent.
- Drain and let cool on a wire rack or baking paper.
You can enjoy them plain, roll them in sugar, or use them to enhance your desserts and pastries. A delicious way to recycle orange peels.
🍶 An infusion made from orange peels
Dried orange peels add a sweet and fragrant note to herbal teas. Choose organic, untreated oranges.
Add a few pieces to your cup or tea ball, let steep for a few minutes, then enjoy. Combine them with thyme, verbena, rosemary, or lemon for original and comforting blends.
🍬 Sugar flavored with orange peel
Slip one or two dried orange peels into your sugar jar.
Result:
- A delicately flavored sugar, ideal for desserts
- An effective tip against moisture, which prevents sugar from hardening
🕯 A candle made from orange peels
Turn orange peels into plant-based candles to fragrance your home. A fun and decorative DIY project to do with your children.
How to make your own orange candles:
- Carefully cut the orange in half.
- Remove the flesh, keeping the white membrane in the center to use as a wick.
- Let the peels dry for 24 hours.
- Melt vegetable wax in a double boiler.
- Pour the wax into the orange peels and allow to solidify.
You'll end up with lovely scented candles, perfect for creating a warm atmosphere. This activity also works with mandarins, grapefruits, or lemons.
Can orange peels be composted?
Find out everything you need to know about composting citrus fruits in our comprehensive article.
Citrus peels are acidic and have antiseptic properties.
➡️ In a traditional compost bin, they can be added in small quantities.
⚠️ In a vermicompost bin, it is best to avoid them or add them only very occasionally, as worms do not like them very much. 🪱
👉 To make the most of your waste, think about composting! Discover our range of compact, designer apartment composters.
