8 Amazing Uses for Your Leftover Lemon Peel

8 Amazing Uses for Your Leftover Lemon Peel

Lemons are some of the most amazing fruits that you simply can’t forget to pick up. Especially if you’re an avid lemon water drinker, you’ll understand that the health benefits they provide push them over the edge on the “healthiness” scale

But what happens when you’ve used up all the juices, and you’re left with that big ol’ peel

Don’t be quick to throw them out. There are a number of ways that you can make use of your peels that you didn’t even know about.

1. Lemon Olive Oil

Add one cup of olive oil to three tablespoons of lemon zest to add an amazing lemon infusion to your olive oil. Let the mixture set for two weeks before straining it (to remove the peel bits) and use the oil as you normally would.

2. Lemon Ice Cubes

This is a simple way to add an amazing flavor to your drinks without having to mix in any other liquids.  Just add some lemon zest to your ice cubes and let the flavor release into your drink when the cubes melt.

3. Cutting Board Sanitizer

A big benefit of lemons is that they have strong antibacterial properties. Rubbing a squeezed, halved lemon on your cutting board can kill a lot of the bacteria on the surface. Let the cutting board sit for 5 minutes before rinsing it with water, and you’ll be left with a nice, clean cutting surface!

4. Lemon Extract

If you ever use a large amount of lemons, add the zest to a jarred solution with vodka (roughly 3 lemons worth of zest to a ½ cup of vodka). Make sure you get all of the peel into there, seal the jar, and let it sit in a dark, cool place for 1-2 months. Shake the jar twice a week, and strain it when you want to use it.

*Pro tip: The longer you wait, the better it tastes

5. Trash Can Odour Remover

This is a simple fix if your trash can is spreading some bad odors around your house. Just throw some leftover lemon peels into the can and the lemon will overpower the rest of the garbage – weakening the power of the smell.

6. Microwave Cleaner

Toss a few lemon peels into a microwave-safe bowl and fill half of it with water. Heat the bowl for about 5-6 minutes, and let the steam do the job. It will stick to the walls of the microwave, and after a quick wipe down with a towel, your microwave will be squeaky clean.

7. Vitamin C Powder

Cut the peels into small squares and place them on a clean cloth. Let them sit in the sun for a few days, and once they’re completely dried, add them to a coffee grinder to turn them into powder.  You can add a teaspoon to a smoothie, or just eat it plain to get filled with a great source of Vitamin C.

8. Ant Repellent

Did you know that lemons actually repel ants?

Throw some peels by the crack of a door, or any small spaces where ants can enter into your home. If you’re having a problem with ants getting into your sweet stuff in the kitchen, adding some dried lemon peel to the sugar can make it less interesting to ants.

Lemon juice provides a number of benefits that can better your health every day. A lot of people don’t know about the uses for the peels, but now you do. Get the most out of your lemons and leave nothing to waste!