Orange peel is incredibly versatile and can be used for a multitude of tasks. We’ve put together this extensive list of 35 smart and simple ways to reuse orange peels, organised into four clear sections: culinary uses, natural cleaning, beauty & fragrance, and crafts & decor. You’ll be amazed at all the ways you can reuse your leftover orange peel once you’ve read this guide!

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with leftover orange peels, the answer is… almost anything. Orange peels are incredibly versatile – they’re packed with natural oils, fragrance, flavour, and even gentle cleaning power. With a little creativity, you can easily transform leftover orange peel into delicious treats, natural cleaners, beauty products, and gorgeous handmade décor.

How to Use Orange Peel in Cooking

Here is a list of the ways you can use leftover orange peel in cooking and for culinary uses.

1. Candied Orange Peel

A classic confection that turns humble peels into something glossy, sweet, and gift-worthy. This idea is perfect for making as a handmade gift, especially at Christmas time!
Makes: 1 cup
Time: 1.5–2 hours

How to make it:

1. Slice clean peels into ¼–½ inch strips, removing excess pith if you prefer less bitterness.
2. Boil briefly, drain, and repeat to reduce bitterness.
3. Simmer in a syrup of 1 cup sugar + 1 cup water for 45–60 minutes, until translucent.
4. Dry on a rack for 1 – 2 hours.
5. Roll in sugar (optional) and store airtight.

Tip: Dip the ends in dark chocolate for a beautiful finish.

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2. Frozen Orange Zest

Perfect for baking, marinades, and sauces – without wasting a thing.
Time: 5-10 minutes per orange

How to make it:

1. Wash and zest only the coloured outer skin.
2. Freeze the zest flat on parchment for 30 minutes.
3. Transfer to a labelled freezer bag and use straight from frozen.

3. Orange-Infused Sugar

Adds a subtle citrus lift to baking, tea, and cocktails. This is also a great gift idea, as it looks and smells beautiful!
Makes: 1 cup
Infusion time: 1–3 days

How to make it:

1. Combine 1 cup sugar with the zest of 2-3 oranges in a sealed jar.
2. Shake daily for 24–72 hours.
3. Sift out large pieces if you like.

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4. Orange Salt

A bright, savoury salt for fish, salads, grilled vegetables, and even popcorn.
Makes: 1 cup

How to make it:

1. Dry zest in a low oven until crisp.
2. Pulse with flaky sea salt until well combined.
3. Store airtight.

5. Citrus Syrup

A fragrant syrup for cocktails, desserts, iced tea, or pancakes.
Makes: 1 cup
Time: 20–30 minutes

How to make it:

1. Simmer sugar, water, and orange peels until slightly thickened.
2. Steep 20-30 minutes.
3. Strain and refrigerate.

6. Orange-Infused Oil

Lovely for salad dressings or drizzling over roasted vegetables.
Makes: 1 cup

How to make it:

1. Lightly bruise fresh zest and place in a jar.
2. Warm (not hot) oil and pour over.
3. Steep 24–48 hours, strain, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

7. Citrus Tea

A soothing tea made from dried peels. If you love citrus flavors and homemade tea blends then you’ll love this homemade tea recipe!

How to make it:

1. Thoroughly dry orange peels.
2. Steep 1-2 teaspoons in hot water for 5–7 minutes.
3. Combine with black or green tea, or enjoy alone.

8. Frozen Cocktail Twists

Restaurant-style garnishes ready anytime.

How to make it:

1. Cut long strips or twists of peel.
2. Lay flat on a tray and freeze.
3. Store in a freezer bag and use as needed.

9. Marmalade Booster

Add extra sliced peels to your marmalade batch to deepen the flavour and texture.

10. Orange Peel Powder

A powdered flavour booster for baking, smoothies, spice blends, and homemade beauty products.

How to make it:

1. Dry peels completely.
2. Grind in a spice grinder.
3. Sift and store airtight.

How to Use Leftover Orange Peel for Natural Cleaning & Home Care

If you like these tips and recipes, you might also like these DIY essential oil recipes or these 5 ways to use up leftover roses and rose petals.

11. Orange Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner

A powerful, natural cleaner with a fresh citrus scent.
Infusion time: 1-2 weeks

How to make it:

1. Fill a jar with peels and cover with white vinegar.
2. Steep for at least 1 week.
3. Strain and dilute 1:1 with water.
4. Use on most surfaces (avoid stone).

12. Garbage Disposal Deodorizer

Instant freshness using only peels and ice.

How to use:

1. Toss peels and ½ cup ice into the disposal.
2. Run with cold water for 30-60 seconds.
3. Add baking soda for extra deodorizing.

13. Fridge Deodorizer

A natural, functional way to freshen your fridge.

How to use:

1. Fill an empty peel half with salt or baking soda.
2. Place in the fridge for 1-2 weeks before replacing.

14. Stainless Steel Polish

Citrus oils work wonders on dull sinks and taps.

How to use:

1. Rub the oily side of a fresh peel over stainless steel.
2. Rinse and buff dry.
3. Add a sprinkle of salt for tougher stains.

15. DIY Furniture Polish

A nourishing polish for wood surfaces.

How to make it:

1. Melt beeswax into olive or walnut oil using a double boiler.
2. Add zest or orange essential oil.
3. Pour into a jar and cool.
4. Buff into wood sparingly.

16. Natural Bug Repellent

Certain insects dislike citrus oils.

How to use:

1. Scatter dried peels near doors and windows, or place in sachets.
2. Replace when the scent fades.

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If you like these tips, you might also like. this post on 6 ways to turn leftover coffee grounds into DIY beauty products.

17. Stovetop Simmer Pot

A whole-home air freshener that smells like a warm, cosy kitchen.

How to make it:

1. Combine peels with cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla in a pot of water.
2. Simmer gently, topping up water as needed.
3. Turn off if you leave the house.

18. Citrus Drawer Sachets

Keeps clothing fresh and gently scented.

How to make it:

1. Mix dried peels with lavender or cloves.
2. Fill small fabric sachets and tie shut.
3. Place in drawers or closets.

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19. Homemade Potpourri

A beautiful bowl of natural fragrance for any room.

How to make it:

1. Combine dried peels, botanicals, and a few drops of essential oil.
2. Refresh with more oil as needed.

20. Orange Sugar Body Scrub

Brightening, exfoliating, and completely natural.
Makes: 1 cup

How to make it:

1. Mix sugar, melted coconut oil, and powdered peel.
2. Stir until sandy and spoon into a jar.
3. Use on damp skin and rinse.

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21. Citrus Bath Soak

A relaxing, spa-style bath treatment.

How to make it:

1. Combine Epsom salts with dried peel and optional essential oils.
2. Add a generous handful to warm bathwater.

22. Brightening Face Mask

A gentle at-home treatment.

How to make it:

1. Mix powdered peel with yogurt or honey.
2. Apply for 10–15 minutes.
3. Rinse and moisturise.

Note: Citrus can make skin sensitive to sunlight – avoid sun exposure immediately after use.

Crafts & Decor Ideas Using Leftover Orange Peel

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23. Dried Orange Garland

This orange garland is perfect for Christmas, winter decor, or rustic styling. It’s cheap and easy to make and is ideal for the festive season!

How to make it:

1. Slice oranges ⅛–¼ inch thick.
2. Dry in a low oven for several hours, turning as needed.
3. Thread onto string or twine and hang.

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24. Decorative Candle Toppers

Adds a beautiful, natural touch to homemade candles.

How to make it:

1. Pour candle wax into containers.
2. Before it fully sets, add small dried peel pieces on top.
3. Keep them away from the wick.

25. Citrus Fire Starters

Brilliant for fireplaces, stoves, and camping.

How to make it:

1. Fill paper cups with dried peels and dryer lint or wood shavings.
2. Pour melted wax over if desired.
3. Let harden and use as needed.

26. Orange-Peel Kindling

Dried peels burn beautifully because of their natural oils, making them an excellent eco-friendly fire starter.

How to make it:

1. Air-dry or oven-dry peels until completely crisp.
2. Store in a basket or jar near your fireplace or fire pit.
3. Use in place of kindling to help ignite logs naturally.

27. Citrus-Scented Playdough

A fun, sensory craft for kids that smells like fresh oranges.

How to make it:

1. Add dried, finely ground orange peel to your favourite homemade playdough recipe.
2. Mix into the dough to create colour flecks and a light scent.
3. Store airtight to keep it soft.

28. DIY Orange Peel Candle

Turn a hollowed-out orange half into a whimsical, natural candle.

How to make it:

1. Cut an orange in half and scoop out the flesh, leaving the white centre stem intact as a wick.
2. Fill with olive oil until the wick is halfway submerged.
3. Light the stem and enjoy a rustic, citrus-scented flame.

29. Citrus Bird Feeder

A beautiful, biodegradable bird feeder that uses the peel as the container.

How to make it:

1. Hollow out half an orange.
2. Pierce holes and thread with twine to hang.
3. Fill with birdseed and place outdoors for visiting birds.

30. Natural Shoe Freshener

A gentle way to deodorise shoes without harsh chemicals.

How to use it:

1. Place dried orange peels inside shoes overnight.
2. Add a sprinkle of baking soda for extra odour control.
3. Replace weekly or as needed.

31. Orange Peel Charcoal Cleaner

An eco-friendly charcoal alternative for small deodorising jobs.

How to make it:

1. Burn dried peels in a safe outdoor fire until charred but not fully ashed.
2. Cool and place in small breathable bags.
3. Use in drawers, cupboards, or cars to absorb odours.

32. DIY Gift Tags

Beautiful, rustic tags for gifts, cards, or homemade items.

How to make it:

1. Dry large peel pieces until firm.
2. Cut into shapes using scissors or mini cookie cutters.
3. Punch a hole and thread with twine.
4. Write on them using a fine-tip marker.

33. Natural Pot Scrubber

Dried orange peels have just enough abrasiveness to help scrub pans.

How to use it:

1. Use a fresh or slightly dried peel to scrub pots, pans, and stovetops.
2. Rinse the surface thoroughly afterward.
3. Dispose of the peel in compost.

34. Garden Mulch

Adds nutrients to soil and helps deter pests.

How to use it:

1. Tear peels into small pieces.
2. Lay around plants as mulch, or mix lightly into topsoil.
3. Replace as needed; avoid using near seedlings that may be sensitive to citrus.

35. Compost Booster

Orange peels add nitrogen and beneficial oils to compost – just use in moderation.

How to use it:

1. Chop peels finely for quicker breakdown.
2. Add to your compost pile, ideally mixing with browns (like cardboard or leaves).
3. Avoid large quantities at once to maintain balance.