15 Clever Uses For Leftover Lemon Peels - Tasting Table

"All too often, recipes call for a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Like most people, you might not think twice about tossing the leftovers into the trash. However, there's really no need for those sunny rinds to go to waste since lemon peels have a wide array of uses in and out of the kitchen. Their fresh, zesty flavor can enhance a variety of recipes, and being packed with natural oils, they carry an incredible fragrance while boasting powerful cleaning properties."

"To neutralize unpleasant smells in your garbage disposal, reach for lemon peels. The natural oils and acids in the rind act as an effective cleaning agent, gently breaking down grease and freshening your sink with their pleasing, citrusy scent. Once you've used the lemon's juice elsewhere, simply drop the leftover peels into the disposal, turn on the tap, and run the appliance for around 30 seconds. Now, everything should look and smell significantly cleaner."

"If your sink is particularly grimy, you might need to employ another method beforehand, such as pouring baking soda and vinegar into it to loosen the dirt. But the lemon peel method will still make for an effective final step to flush everything away and remove odors. There's also the option to pair the rinds with ice cubes, which can help scrape off residue and sharpen the blades. Repeating this process frequently is a great way to keep on top of unwanted buildup."

Lemon peels contain natural oils and acids that provide fresh flavor, strong fragrance, and effective cleaning properties. Leftover rinds can enhance recipes, create homemade infusions, banish kitchen odors, and serve as a cost-saving resource while reducing food waste. To deodorize a garbage disposal, drop peels into the unit, run water, and operate the disposal for about thirty seconds for a cleaner, fresher sink. For particularly grimy drains, use baking soda and vinegar first, or add ice cubes with peels to scrape residue and sharpen blades. Regular use of lemon peels as a finishing cleaning step maintains freshness and helps prevent unwanted buildup in sinks and disposals.

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