The Peel of a Fruit Dubbed a "Treasure" for Household Cleaning
Some items, often thought of as waste, actually have numerous applications in cleaning and maintaining a home. Among these is the peel of a fruit commonly eaten by many families—banana peels.
Here are five practical uses for banana peels, most of which relate to household cleaning. These methods are easy, safe, and can be incorporated into your daily routine.
1. Cleaning Leather ShoesOne effective use of banana peels is for cleaning leather shoes. Leather shoes, especially popular among men, can quickly lose their polished look when covered in dirt or dust. Instead of heading to a professional cleaner, banana peels can be a simple and natural solution.
How to Use:
Cut a small piece of banana peel and rub the inner side of the peel onto the leather surface. The peel contains natural cleaning agents like pectin, which help remove dirt and restore shine to leather shoes.
Final Step:
After cleaning with the peel, use a dry paper towel or cloth to wipe off any residue, ensuring the shoes are spotless and gleaming.
Banana peels can also be used to clean greasy kitchen surfaces or furniture that has become dull over time. The process is similar to cleaning leather shoes:
How to Use:
Rub the inner side of the peel on surfaces needing cleaning, especially areas with stubborn grease stains in the kitchen. For furniture, the peel can help restore a polished look.
Finishing Touch:
After using the peel, wipe the surface with a damp soft cloth or paper towel to remove any remaining residue. This eco-friendly method reduces reliance on chemical cleaners, making it a healthier choice for the home.
Banana peels can help neutralize unpleasant odors, particularly in confined spaces like cars. This is especially effective for leather seats and cushions.
How to Use:
Place whole banana peels in areas where odor removal is needed, such as car seats. Leave them for several hours or, ideally, overnight.
Why It Works:
Banana peels contain pectin and antioxidants, which can neutralize foul smells and the chemical odors often found in new cars. Replace the peels daily to avoid them becoming a source of unpleasant odor themselves.
Banana peels can serve as a natural fertilizer for plants and flowers. They are rich in nutrients like potassium and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth.
How to Use:Tear or mash banana peels into small pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add water and cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap to allow fermentation. After 3–4 days, strain the liquid and use it to water plants. The leftover peel pieces can also be added to soil as compost, which helps repel pests like aphids. 5. Ripening Fruits
Another practical use of banana peels, though unrelated to cleaning, is their ability to speed up the ripening process of certain fruits.
How to Use:Place banana peels next to fruits like mangoes, persimmons, or kiwis that need ripening. Alternatively, seal the peels and fruits together in a bag. Within 2–3 days, the fruits will ripen thanks to ethylene, a natural ripening agent found in banana peels.
By reusing banana peels in these ways, you can reduce waste while making cleaning and maintenance more efficient and eco-friendly. From shoe polishing to odor removal and plant fertilization, banana peels prove to be a valuable resource in daily life.
