Eggshells, veggie scraps, coffee grounds...they all have life beyond the compost bin!
1. Use eggshells to scrub dirty pans.
Use eggshells to scrub hard-to-clean pots and pans with soap and water; the abrasive shells will help release any stubborn, burnt-on mess.
2. Make flavored olive oil from herb stems.
Transfer herb stems (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley) to an airtight container. Cover with olive oil and let sit at least 1 week. Use the oil for dipping, cooking, or dressings.
CUZ BREAD + ROSEMARY OIL = LIFE!!!
3. Deodorize smelly shoes with used tea bags—really!
After you brew your tea, transfer tea bags to a clean surface and let dry completely. Add dry tea bags to smelly shoes and let sit overnight or about 8 to 12 hours.
4. Use orange peels to make your own DIY cleaning spray.
Add citrus peels to an empty spray bottle and fill with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Use the mixture as a cleaning spray – works great on countertops!
5. Brew tea from apple skin.
After you peel an apple, transfer the apple skin to a tea pot strainer. (Optional: Add ginger peel for extra flavor.) Fill the teapot with hot water and let steep about 20 minutes.
6. Clean leather boots with a banana peel.
Use a banana peel to shine and clean leather boots. Rub gently with the inside of the skin and buff with a cloth or paper towel.
7. De-stink the garbage disposal with used citrus.
To clean your garbage disposal, add zested and/or juiced citrus (like lemons or limes) and run the disposal with the water running.
8. Flavor water with cucumber peels.
Instead of using full slices to flavor your water, save the cucumber skin after you’ve peeled cucumber for a salad or other recipe and use those ribbons to flavor a tall glass of ice water. Bonus points for being super pretty!
9. Repel bugs with used coffee grounds.
Transfer coffee grounds from a filter to a bowl and let dry completely. Once dry, light the coffee grounds using a lighter. The grounds will smolder and the smoke will help repel insects.
See 'em all here!
