Thought It Was Just Kitchen Waste, Lemon Peels Turn Out to Be a “Hidden Treasure” With 5 Little-Known Uses

After squeezing lemon juice, don’t throw the peels away — keep them for other household uses.

Many people have the habit of discarding lemon peels after extracting the juice. However, this is actually quite wasteful. Lemon peels can be reused in many practical ways around the home.

Lemon peels contain natural citric acid (chemical formula C₆H₈O₇). This acid has long been known and widely used in various fields such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industry. Citric acid functions as an antioxidant, a natural preservative, a safe cleaning agent, and a water softener. Thanks to these properties, lemon peels can help solve many household problems in a way that is both health-safe and cost-effective.

Make dishwashing liquid from lemon peels

Natural dishwashing liquids are becoming increasingly popular because they are safer for users and more environmentally friendly. You can combine lemon peels with baking soda to create a natural cleaning solution that is gentle yet effective. When citric acid reacts with baking soda, it creates a fizzing reaction that releases carbon dioxide (CO₂), helping to loosen and soften stubborn grease and stains.

Cut lemon peels into small pieces and place them in a jar, then add water to fill about two-thirds of the jar. Add about one tablespoon of baking soda, close the lid, and shake well until dissolved. Place the jar in a sunny spot. Open the lid daily to release built-up gas, and stir the mixture occasionally to support fermentation. After about one week, strain the liquid and discard the solids.

Before washing dishes, scrape off food residue and rinse lightly with water, then wash using the lemon-peel dishwashing liquid. Rinse again with clean water as usual. To enhance the fragrance, you may add a few drops of lemongrass or cinnamon essential oil, depending on your preference.

If you don’t have time for fermentation, you can mix lemon peels, a little salt, and dishwashing liquid in a bottle, shake well, and use the mixture to spray kitchen surfaces and stovetops before wiping clean. This method effectively removes grease and grime.

Clean burnt pots and pans

When cookware is overheated, pots and pans can develop stubborn burnt-on stains that are difficult to remove with regular dish soap alone. To deal with this, add lemon peels to the pot or pan, cover with water, and boil for about 20 minutes. This helps loosen burnt food residue, making it much easier to clean.

Sanitize knives and cutting boards

Citric acid in lemon peels has antibacterial properties and is commonly used in hand sanitizers, antifungal products, and insect sprays. Knives and cutting boards — especially those used for raw food — can harbor bacteria and unpleasant odors. Rubbing lemon peels directly onto their surfaces helps disinfect and deodorize them effectively.

Deodorize the refrigerator

Refrigerators often develop unpleasant odors due to stored food and infrequent cleaning. Placing lemon peels in the corners of the fridge can help absorb odors and release a fresh, natural scent thanks to the essential oils in the peel.

Similarly, if ovens or microwaves retain food smells, place a few lemon peels in a bowl with some water and heat it for 2–3 minutes. The steam and essential oils help soften grime and neutralize odors.

Clean stained teapots

Teapots used over long periods often lose their shine and develop stubborn stains that are hard to remove with dish soap alone. To clean them, boil lemon peels with a little salt in water, then soak the teapot in the solution. This method helps lift stains quickly and restores the teapot’s cleanliness.

In short, lemon peels are far from useless kitchen waste. With their natural cleaning power and antibacterial properties, they offer simple, effective, and eco-friendly solutions for everyday household tasks.