Uses for lemon peels range from cleaning to lesser-known functions like whitening teeth, removing rust stains, brightening skin, and more!
Lemon juice has so many household uses, but don’t toss those peels after squeezing your lemons! Use the whole lemon – juice, pulp, rind, and all. After squeezing lemons, hold onto those lemon rinds and check out our list of clever uses to be sure you’ve used the lemon to its fullest!
Why Lemon Peels are Useful
Lemons are a versatile, natural option for cleaning, beauty, cooking, and much more. Not only do they smell and taste great, but they possess antibacterial properties making them perfect for killing germs. Their low pH makes them perfect for beauty and personal care, and when applied directly to the skin, lemon juice can lighten age and sunspots. Lemons have a high concentration of citric acid, which is great for general disinfecting and cleaning. The citric acid in lemons can help kill bacteria and mold, and also remove soap scum and mineral deposits.
25 Uses for Lemon Peels
1. Clean sinks and bathtubs
Sprinkle baking soda into a wet sink or bathtub, and use the cut side of a lemon to scrub these surfaces. This method will remove grime, act as a lemony “bleach,” and make sinks and bathtubs shine.
2. Make dishes sparkle
Lemon not only acts as a degreaser, but the citric acid found in lemon also helps remove spots from dishes. Throw lemon rinds with the pulp into your dishwater to help remove grease and make glasses and silverware sparkle.
3. Remove grease or underarm stains on clothing
If you have half a lemon that has been squeezed, there will still be enough lemon juice in the remaining pulp to remove stains. Rub the half lemon on grease or underarm stains on garments. Allow it to sit overnight. For tough stains, sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the lemon-soaked stain and scrub, then wash as usual.
4. Clean coffee pots
The acid in lemons works to dissolve hard water deposits and burnt coffee stains from your coffee pots. To a cool coffee pot, add lemon rinds, a few tablespoons of salt (as a mild abrasive), and a cup or two of ice. Swirl ingredients around in the coffee pot for several minutes, or until stains are completely removed. If stains are stubborn, leave the mixture in the coffee pot and soak for several hours or overnight. Rinse the coffee pot well before using it again.
5. Clean soap scum and hard water stains on shower doors
Hard water stains are due to minerals in the water, and soap scum is the result of the minerals in your water reacting with your soap. We already know from the coffee pot trick that lemon works great for removing this buildup. Take half a lemon rind with the pulp intact, sprinkle salt inside it if desired, and rub directly on shower doors. Rinse well when finished.
6. Make an all-purpose cleaner
This is one of the simplest ways to use your leftover lemon peels. Add the peels of several lemons to a large jar, and fill with white distilled vinegar. Allow the solution to “steep” in a cabinet for a few weeks. Strain out the peels, and use the vinegar solution as a great lemon-scented all-purpose cleaner…perfect for degreasing, disinfecting, and leaving things smelling fresh. Add the citrus-infused vinegar to a spray bottle and use it to clean countertops, sinks, toilets, spills, stovetops, or other surfaces.
7. Refresh and sanitize cutting boards
Lemon does a nice job of eliminating odors that are trapped in your cutting boards (like garlic and onion!). It also sanitizes boards due to its antibacterial properties. Take half a squeezed lemon with the pulp intact, and rub vigorously over a cutting board that has been sprinkled with coarsely ground salt (like kosher salt). Rinse well and allow to dry.
8. Remove odors from hands
If you have lingering odors on your hands from chopping things like garlic or onions, rub lemon rinds on your fingers, nails, and hands to leave them smelling fresh again.
9. Deodorize garbage disposals
Smelly garbage disposals can be freshened up with leftover lemon rinds. (I’m always careful to put smaller chunks down the disposal so it doesn’t clog.) Simply drop rinds down the disposal with a few ice cubes and run the disposal.
10. Clean your microwave and stovetop
Put one or two lemon halves, that have already been squeezed, into the microwave for about 15-20 seconds. Carefully remove the lemon halves and use them to clean the inside of the microwave, as well as the stovetop and the range hood. Rub lemon halves onto surfaces, then wipe clean with a wet dishcloth.
11. Remove rust stains
The acid in lemons helps remove rust stains. This can be helpful in showers where shaving cream cans have left a rust ring or sinks where iron pots have been left. Sprinkle salt on the rust stain and rub with half of a lemon that still has pulp inside. Allow the salt and lemon to sit for several hours, scrubbing periodically if needed. Allow the lemon to rest on the surface overnight if the stain has not yet disappeared, then rinse well with water.
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12. Whiten teeth
The acid content in citrus rinds can whiten and brighten dull or stained teeth. Rub the inner white part of the lemon peel on your teeth for a few minutes for a whitening effect. Rinse well with water after using the citrus peels. I love this remedy because you will notice almost immediate whitening effects! Note: Use this remedy very sparingly to avoid damage to tooth enamel or tooth sensitivity.
13. Citrus Vinegar Hair Rinse
Vinegar makes a wonderful conditioning hair rinse, whether you’re using homemade no-poo, or just want shiny, healthy, pH balanced hair. The addition of lemon to your homemade conditioning rinse will help keep a greasy scalp and hair under control while improving dull hair and resolving many scalp issues. Add the peels of several lemons to a jar, and fill almost to the top with apple cider vinegar (we use this kind). Allow it to sit for 1-2 weeks and strain out peels. Add about 1 tablespoon of this citrus vinegar solution to 1 cup of water, and use as a conditioning rinse after shampooing. Allow the rinse to remain on the hair for a few minutes, then rinse out or just leave in.
14. Lemon facials for toning and skin brightening
Lemon’s low pH makes it a perfect skin toner. You can rub the inside of a juiced lemon directly onto sun spots and age spots to lighten them. Just allow the juice to dry on the skin, or rinse off after 15-20 minutes. Repeat every day. You can also use the inside of a juiced lemon as the first step in a luxurious skin-brightening facial. Rub the inside of the lemon all over your face, then apply a honey mask on top of that. Rinse off after 20-30 minutes.
15. Smooth and soothe dry, scaly elbows
This is the perfect trick for softening elbows that are dry and scaly from winter weather. After juicing a lemon, take the two halves (with the pulp intact) and sprinkle baking soda inside them. Stick elbow inside lemon half, twisting and turning the lemon on your elbow to exfoliate and soften. Optionally, you can then set lemon halves on a tabletop and rest elbows in them for several minutes before rinsing and drying your newly softened elbows.
16. Make your own Vitamin C powder
Since the rinds of citrus fruits contain high levels of Vitamin C, you can make your own Vitamin C powder with lemon peels. Dry peels on parchment paper, in a 200° oven, or a dehydrator until completely dry. Grind into a powder using a spice grinder like this. Use this Vitamin C powder in your homemade Anti-Aging Facial Toner!
17. Freeze lemon peels for recipes
You can freeze your rinds (or even whole lemons) and use them in recipes calling for lemon zest. You can also zest your fresh lemons before using them, and store the lemon zest in the freezer. Store flat in a zip-top baggie so it’s easier to break off a chunk of frozen lemon zest. Allow thawing before adding to recipes. Add small amounts to foods, smoothies, or desserts for a bold flavor.
18. Dry lemon peels for recipes
Cut rind into strips and dry on parchment paper, in a 200° oven, or in a dehydrator. When completely dry, store in glass jars and label. Use in baked goods, tea, or other recipes.
19. Candied lemon peels
Although I’ve never tried this one, they sound delicious. I see candied lemon peels on top of gourmet desserts in some of my favorite bakeries and cafes. Make your own using the instructions found here.
20. Homemade lemon pepper
This is one of the more unique uses for lemon peels! Lemon pepper chicken used to be one of my favorite dishes. But it required I buy a special bottle of lemon pepper to cook with. Well, one thing I’ve learned in the wonderful world of DIY-ing is that you can make your own. Simply dry lemon peels on parchment paper, in a 200° oven, or in a dehydrator. Once dry, chop into smaller pieces and add to a grinder with whole peppercorns and coarse sea salt. You’ve just made a delicious seasoning for your next dinner!
21. Burn lemon peels for fragrance
Toss your leftover fresh or dried lemon peels in your fireplace or wood-burning stove to add a delicious lemony scent to a room. Dried peels will help ignite the wood around them because they contain oils that make them burn longer.
22. Air freshener
If you don’t have a fireplace, you can simmer lemon peels on the stovetop. In a medium-sized pot, combine lemon peels with vanilla, cinnamon sticks, and water. Simmer over low, periodically adding more water when needed.
23. Deter cats
Citrus is a known cat repellent. If you want to keep cats out of a garden or indoor plants, you can scatter your lemon peels around or mulch the surface of your soil with citrus peels. Keep cats off countertops or shelves by placing your lemon peels in small bowls on these surfaces. Spray your citrus/vinegar cleaner on rugs or around doorways of rooms you want your cats to stay out of.
24. Deodorize garbage cans
This is one of my favorite uses for lemon peels. If your garbage cans are starting to smell funky, you can put lemon peels in the bottom of the can underneath your garbage can liner. (Do not add lemon rinds with the pulp, or they will start to mold.) Replace every few weeks to keep garbage cans smelling fresh.
25. Start seeds indoors
If you have lemons that were cut in half and juiced, you can use those lemon “cups” to start seeds indoors. Poke a few holes in the bottom of the lemon if desired (for drainage), fill the lemon halves with soil, and plant your tiny seeds in them. This entire lemon cup can be planted outdoors in the spring.
Know of Other Uses?
Did we miss anything? What clever uses have you come up with for lemon peels?
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Source: DIY Natural
