Inventive Orange Peel Hacks For A Fresher-Smelling Kitchen

You toil away in the kitchen all day to cook a feast, set the table, bring out your fine china, and wait patiently — with your host smile in place — for the guests to arrive. The only wrench in your otherwise perfect plan? The lingering smells in your kitchen that will have your guests curling their lips, especially if you have an open floor plan and the dining area is right next to the cooking space. Fortunately, though bad smells may feel impossible to eradicate, there are actually a few genius tips and tricks you can use to deodorize your smelly kitchen. For instance, you can boil leftover orange peels with water or bake them in the oven in a pinch to salvage the situation.

You might be habituated to immediately throwing orange peels in the trash once you eat the pulp, lest they become fodder for buzzing insects. However, instead of relegating them to the trash, there are multiple clever ways you should be using orange peels in your home and garden, including using them to make your kitchen smell fresh and inviting. So, grab a few orange peels and get ready to eradicate strong smells from your home. That being said, remember that these hacks are temporary at best and won't make your cooking room smell amazing for long after the peels are baked or boiled — they're ideal for when you need a quick fix.

An easy way to use orange peels for a fresher-smelling kitchen is to bake them in the oven. Get a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, then lay down a couple of orange peels and put it in the oven. Set the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and leave it undisturbed for 30 minutes. The scent of the baking peels will deodorize the foul smells lingering in your kitchen and leave behind a citrusy scent.

Another internet-favorite hack is to boil a couple orange peels with water. Simply add a few peels to a pan, pour in enough water to submerge the peels (TikTok user @classicallygreen suggests filling the pan halfway with water), and bring the concoction to a boil. Once the water starts bubbling, lower the heat setting and let it simmer for a fresh-smelling kitchen. Don't forget to keep an eye on the mixture, as you might have to add more water occasionally. 

In case you want to add an additional fresh scent besides just citrus, throw a few fragrant spices into the water and orange peel mixture before bringing it to a boil. A few cinnamon sticks (powder works if you don't have sticks handy), a couple of cloves, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract will help deodorize your kitchen after you cook. You can also add sprigs of rosemary, thyme, or mint.