Often thrown away without a second thought, Banana peels can be surprisingly helpful in many ways. You can thinly slice and fry them for a crispy snack or soak them in salt water to remove any bitterness and fry (stir-fry) them for a side dish. Here are seven clever ways to put banana peels to good use.
1. Use as Fertilizer
Banana peels are rich in potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, all essential minerals for plants’ growth. You can chop the peels finely and mix them with soil, or soak them in water for a day and use the water to nourish your plants. Adding banana peels to compost provides beneficial nutrients that promote crop growth, particularly for flowers and vegetables.
2. Leather Polish
The inside of a banana peel can be used to polish leather goods to give them a shiny look. Gently rub the inside of the peel on shoes, bags, and wallets, and then wipe with a soft cloth for a natural shine. The natural oils in the peel penetrate the leather, providing a shine while removing surface dust and grease. This is an eco-friendly alternative to commercial leather polishes.
3. Repellent
Banana peels can help repel pests in your garden. Scatter finely chopped peels around your plants to chase away pests like aphids. The smell of the peels repels the pests. Additionally, soaking banana peels in water for a few hours and then spraying the water on your plants can be even more effective. This is an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.
4. Furniture Polish
Banana peels can be used to polish furniture. Rub the peel’s inside on the wooden furniture’s surface, then wipe with a soft cloth for a gleaming finish. The natural oils in the peel penetrate the wood, providing a shine and removing surface dust and grime.
5. Ink Stain Remover
Banana peels can effectively remove ink stains from paper. Rub the inside of the peel on the ink stain, and the fibers in the peel will absorb the ink, removing the stain. This is particularly useful for removing minor ink stains from books or documents. However, testing this method on less important documents first is recommended.
6. Silver Polish
Banana peels can be used to shine silverware. Rub the inside of the peel on your silverware, then buff with a soft cloth. The natural oils and enzymes in the peel remove the oxidation layer from the silver.
7. Cooking
Banana peels can be used in a variety of dishes. For example, thinly slice and fry banana peels for a crispy snack. Soaking banana peels in salt water to remove bitterness and then frying or sauteing them can make a unique side dish. Additionally, drying and brewing the peels like tea can provide antioxidants and dietary fiber. This is a beneficial and novel way to experience new flavors.
Banana peels can be recycled in many different ways. Enhancing our environment with these small, everyday practices using banana peels is possible.
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