Don’t throw away orange peels. Use them with baking soda or vinegar for these clever household cleaning purposes

Cleaning the home does not always require a long list of specialised products. Some everyday kitchen ingredients can be useful for simple housekeeping tasks when used correctly. Orange peels, which are often thrown away after eating the fruit, contain naturally aromatic oils, while vinegar is commonly used for deodorising and cleaning. Used separately or together, orange peel, baking soda and vinegar can be incorporated into several basic cleaning routines around the house.

From freshening up unpleasant odours to helping remove grime, this combination can give kitchen waste a second use while keeping cleaning routines simple.

Make an orange peel cleaning solution

Orange peels can be used to prepare a simple citrus-infused cleaning solution. Place clean orange peels in a jar, cover them with white vinegar and leave the mixture to infuse for several days. Strain the liquid, dilute it with water and transfer it to a spray bottle.


The citrus peel adds fragrance while the vinegar provides the cleaning action. This solution can be used on suitable washable household surfaces such as countertops and sinks. Always test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.

Freshen up a smelly bin

A kitchen bin can develop unpleasant odours, particularly when food waste accumulates. Orange peels can help introduce a fresh citrus scent. Place a few pieces of fresh or dried orange peel at the bottom of a clean, dry bin before putting in a new liner. Replace the peels regularly and do not use this as a substitute for washing and disinfecting the bin.

For extra odour control, a small amount of baking soda can be sprinkled into the bottom of the bin before adding the liner.

Clean and deodorise a sink

Baking soda can work as a mild abrasive for removing everyday grime from a stainless-steel sink. Sprinkle a small amount over a damp surface, gently scrub with a soft sponge and rinse thoroughly.

Orange peel can then be rubbed lightly over the surface for a fresh citrus scent. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, particularly on delicate or easily scratched finishes.

Freshen up the refrigerator

Refrigerators can sometimes develop lingering food smells. Baking soda is widely used as a household odour absorber, while orange peel can add a pleasant citrus aroma. Place a small open container of baking soda inside the refrigerator and replace it periodically. You can also keep a small amount of dried orange peel in a separate dish for fragrance.

Do not allow loose peels to come into contact with food or remain in the refrigerator until they become mouldy.

Tackle greasy kitchen surfaces

Baking soda can help loosen some everyday grease and food residue because its fine particles provide gentle mechanical scrubbing. Make a paste with baking soda and a little water, apply it to a suitable washable surface and gently scrub before rinsing. For surfaces that can tolerate it, an orange peel can be used afterwards to add a fresh scent. Avoid using abrasive mixtures on polished, delicate or easily scratched materials.

Give your home a citrus-fresh scent

If the main goal is simply to make the home smell fresher, orange peels can be simmered in water with ingredients such as cinnamon or cloves. The resulting steam can fill the kitchen with a pleasant citrus aroma.

Another simple option is to dry orange peels and place them in small bowls or breathable sachets around areas where a fresh scent is wanted.

A few things to avoid

Orange peel and baking soda are useful household ingredients, but they are not suitable for every surface or cleaning problem. Baking soda can scratch some delicate finishes, while acidic citrus or vinegar-based mixtures should not be used indiscriminately.

Never mix cleaning solutions containing bleach with vinegar or other acids, as dangerous gases can be produced. Also avoid assuming that a homemade cleaner disinfects a surface simply because it removes dirt or smells.

For valuable, delicate or manufacturer's warranty-covered surfaces, check the care instructions before trying a homemade cleaning method.