In our daily lives, there are numerous seemingly insignificant things that we tend to discard. However, this doesn’t have to be the case if we know how to utilize them properly. The following is an example of this, and it involves the peels of a fruit that many families consume daily – bananas.
Listed below are five surprising uses for banana peels, most of which involve cleaning and housekeeping. And the best part is that they are all easy and safe to implement in our daily lives.
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1. Shine Your Leather Shoes
The first surprising use for banana peels is to shine your leather shoes. Leather shoes are a popular choice for many, especially men. While they usually look sleek and shiny, they can quickly show their flaws once they get dirty.
In this situation, most people would typically think of taking their shoes to professional cleaning or repair services. However, banana peels offer a simple and effective solution.
Simply cut a small piece of the banana peel and use the inside of the peel to rub onto the surface of the leather shoe. Banana peels contain natural cleaning agents like pectin, which can effectively remove dirt and stains from the shoe’s surface. Additionally, it will make your leather shoes smoother and shinier.
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After using the banana peel, use a dry paper towel to wipe the shoe again. This ensures that any residue, including that from the banana peel, is completely removed from the shoe.
2. Clean Your Kitchen and Furniture
In addition to leather shoes, banana peels can also be used to clean your kitchen surfaces and greasy stains, as well as dull and faded furniture. The method is similar to that used for leather shoes: Rub the inside of the banana peel onto the surfaces you want to clean. For stubborn grease stains on kitchen surfaces, rub the peel repeatedly to ensure the stains are removed.
After using the banana peel, use a paper towel or a damp cloth to wipe the surface again. This practice can be incorporated into your weekly cleaning routine, especially in the kitchen. It helps reduce the use of chemical cleaning agents, which often have unpleasant odors and may be harmful to your health.
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3. Deodorize Your Car
In addition to cleaning, banana peels can also be used as a natural deodorizer. A common example is using them to eliminate odors from your car, especially in the areas of leather seats and cushions. Place the banana peels, preferably whole, inside your car, focusing on the areas that need odor removal. Leave them there for a few hours or, ideally, overnight.
Banana peels contain not only natural cleaning agents like pectin but also a certain amount of acid and antioxidants. These substances react chemically with unpleasant odors or the smell of new car interiors. As a result, when you remove the banana peels, those odors will be gone as well.
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For a complete odor removal, if possible, leave the banana peels in your car for a few days. However, remember to replace the old peels with fresh ones daily. Otherwise, this method may backfire as banana peels left for too long will rot and develop mold.
4. Fertilize Your Plants and Flowers
Few people know that banana peels can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants and flowers. Simply tear or grind the banana peels into small pieces, place them in a large bowl, add a little water, and cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap. This process will help the banana peels ferment. After 3-4 days, filter the water in the bowl and use it to water your plants and flowers.
Don’t discard the remaining banana peel residue; instead, use it as compost for your indoor plants. It will not only provide potassium and phosphorus for your plants but also help repel pests and other insects.
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5. Ripen Fruits Faster
The fifth use of banana peels is not related to cleaning or housekeeping, but it is still very useful when it comes to fruits in your refrigerator. Banana peels, when placed next to certain types of fruits, can help speed up their ripening process.
This is because banana peels contain ethylene, a natural ripening agent. Simply place the banana peels next to the fruits you want to ripen, or tie the peels together with the fruits in a bag. After two to three days, fruits like mangoes, persimmons, or kiwis will soften and ripen.
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