When it comes to potatoes, most people tend to discard the peels as waste. However, you’ll be surprised to know that with a few clever tricks, you can transform potato peels into a useful resource for various household tasks.
Smart ways to put potato peels to good use
Once you have cleaned and peeled your potatoes, reserve the peels for use in the following situations.
Enrich your plant pots
Potato peels are rich in fiber and nutrients, including salicylic acid, a compound that encourages root growth in plants. Additionally, they help retain moisture in the soil, providing natural nourishment for your greenery. Therefore, they’re an excellent addition to your plant or flower pots.
Smart trick for using potato peels: Create plant fertilizer. (Photo: Health &Techy)
Here’s a simple method: Soak the potato peels in water for about 2 to 3 days. Then, add a splash of vinegar, which also encourages plant and flower growth. This solution helps stabilize the pH level of the soil, preventing yellowing of leaves.
Next, strain the liquid and dilute it before watering your plants. This solution stimulates root growth, boosts disease resistance, and promotes branching and flowering. However, it’s important to note that this method requires patience (about 2 months) to show significant results.
Alternatively, you can chop the potato peels into small pieces and mix them into your potting soil or bury them at the bottom of your plant pots. This provides essential nutrients and helps retain moisture in the soil.
Descale your kettle
Over time, kettles can develop mineral deposits inside, which can be difficult to remove completely. If left unchecked, these deposits can pose health risks to users.
If you’re facing this issue, simply peel some potatoes, toss the peels into your kettle, and boil them. Let the water simmer for about 3 to 5 minutes before discarding the water and potato peels. The deposits will adhere to the water, allowing you to easily rinse out the kettle afterward.
For heavily scaled kettles, repeating this process 2 to 3 times should effectively remove all the deposits.
Remove hard water stains from faucets and sinks
This is another clever way to utilize potato peels around the house. Hard water stains on faucets and sinks are notoriously difficult to remove with regular cleaning products. Potato peels contain high levels of starch, which turns into a sticky substance when heated, helping to lift stains. By boiling potato peels, you’re creating an effective cleaning agent.
Start by thoroughly washing the potato peels to remove any dirt or debris. Then, place them in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add 1-2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid and 1 tablespoon of salt, then turn off the heat. Allow the solution to cool, and use it to scrub your faucets, basins, and sinks. Rinse with clean water, and the hard water stains should disappear.
Alternatively, you can rub the raw potato peels directly onto stainless steel faucets and leave for about 3 minutes, then wipe with a clean cloth to remove stains.
Creating a cleaning agent is a smart use for potato peels.(Photo: Timesofindia)
Clean stainless steel
To clean stainless steel faucets or electric kettle exteriors with potato peels, simply follow the same method as mentioned above. Wash the potato peels thoroughly, then rub them on the surface of the appliance, leaving it for about 3 minutes. Wipe with a clean cloth, and the stains should come off easily. Repeat this process 2-3 times for heavily stained surfaces.
Absorb grease
Greasy countertops or cookware surfaces are inevitable in the kitchen. To clean these messes, simply rub the inside of a potato peel over the greasy area. Once you’re done, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Do this routinely after cooking, and you’ll find that greasy surfaces will become noticeably cleaner.
Potato peels can also be used to remove grease stains from clothing. The peels contain compounds that help break down grease. However, avoid using this method on delicate fabrics.
Polish shoes and leather goods
When leather shoes, bags, belts, or furniture become dusty or moldy, rub them with a freshly peeled potato peel. Next, use a soft cloth to wipe them down, and the leather surfaces will regain their shine without the need for expensive shoe polish.
These smart ways to utilize potato peels are easy to implement and highly effective for various household tasks. Give them a try, and see the difference they make.
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