Don’t Toss Your Lemon Peels: 6 Smart Household Uses (and 1 Surface to Avoid)

The short answer: the most straightforward use for lemon peels is a simmer pot for a temporary kitchen scent. Properly dried peels can also go in a drawer sachet, a cooled batch of peel water can give surfaces a light wipe, and small amounts can go in the compost. Lemon peel water is not a disinfectant, and it should not go on natural stone or any finish whose maker advises against acidic cleaners. We are sticking to household uses here, not health claims.

1Simmer them for a fresh kitchen scent

Verdict: the best use. Put the peels from one or two lemons in a small pot, cover them with water and keep it at a low simmer. Add a bay leaf or a cinnamon stick if you like, as in our bay leaf uses and our guide to stovetop potpourri. Our cozy cafe kitchen tips have more ideas. The catch is that it’s a pot on a burner. NFPA says the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking, and its tip for anything simmering is to check it regularly, stay in the home and use a timer as a reminder. Top up the water before it boils dry, and turn the burner off before you leave the kitchen for long. Keeping the pot out of reach of kids and pets is our practical advice.

2Dry the peels for sachets and simmer mixes

Verdict: worth doing, if you dry them properly. Colorado State University’s PreserveSmart guide covers drying citrus peel for food use. It says to scrub the fruit well under cool running water, peel only the thin outer layer (about 1/16 to 1/8 inch) and avoid the white, bitter pith. Dry the peels at 140°F in an oven or dehydrator, which takes 8 to 12 hours in a dehydrator and may take up to twice as long in a conventional oven, until they are crisp. It says to store them in airtight, moisture-proof containers in a cool, dry, dark place, the refrigerator or the freezer, where they keep six to 12 months, and to discard any with an off smell or mold. Using the dried peels in a cloth sachet for a drawer or in a simmer mix is our own application, and it gives a light scent, not a deodorizer. If a peel is soft or damp, skip the sachet.

3Loosen microwave splatters

Verdict: it works as a loosener, but use the tested recipe. University of Illinois Extension says to loosen caked-on food by heating 1/2 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe dish until it boils, then leaving the door closed until it cools before you wipe. That recipe uses juice, not peels, and we haven’t found a source for peel water alone, so treat peels as an add-in at most. Be careful with the heat. Washington State University’s superheating warning says water can heat past boiling without appearing to boil, and a slight disturbance can cause a violent eruption. It recommends following your microwave manual for heating times and avoiding excessive heating. See the Illinois guide for the cleaning steps.

4Add a small amount to the compost

Verdict: yes, in small amounts. The University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center, answering a question through Ask Extension, says lemon and orange peels can be composted but break down very slowly. It says adding a lot of fresh peels to a compost bin is not recommended, and burying small quantities is fine. Cutting the peels into small pieces may help them break down faster.

5Finish the fridge shelves

Verdict: a nice finishing touch, not the cleaning step. Penn State Extension says to remove the shelves and drawers, wash them with water and liquid dish soap, rinse well, sanitize with a spray of 1/4 teaspoon of unscented chlorine bleach in 2 cups of warm water, and let them air-dry. It also says to wipe up spills right away. Mississippi State Extension adds that glass shelves should warm to room temperature before washing so they don’t crack. Lemon peel water doesn’t replace any of that, and it isn’t a sanitizer. If you want, our optional, practical use is a last wipe once the shelves are washed, rinsed, sanitized and dry, for a light citrus scent. Keep it a light touch, since Penn State warns against cleaning solvents in the fridge because fumes can reach food. For odors, Penn State suggests baking soda. See Penn State and Mississippi State for the full steps.

6Wipe a compatible counter, lightly

Verdict: a light wipe on a compatible surface, not a disinfectant. Once the water has cooled, dampen a cloth and test a small, hidden spot first. Check the surface maker’s care instructions, since sealed finishes vary and homemade peel water isn’t a standard strength. If it’s fine, wipe lightly, follow with a clean damp cloth if the finish allows and dry. Don’t expect it to cut heavy grease or sanitize the counter. That approach is our own advice, not a tested rule.

Not for stone: Iowa State University Extension says acidic cleaners like lemon juice may damage granite, it says to avoid harsh, acidic cleaners on quartz and that harsh or acidic cleaners are not recommended for soapstone. For marble it says only mild dish soap and warm water should be used. Peel water is much weaker than juice, but we would keep it off all natural stone and quartz. See the Iowa State guide for stone care.

• Wash the lemon first. Scrub the peel under running water before you cut it.
• Simmer or steep. For a scent, simmer the peels in a pot of water. For a wipe, steep them in hot water and let it cool completely.
• Strain and use it fresh. For cleaning, make a small batch and use it the same day. Pour out what you don’t use.