Do not throw away organic citrus peels!!!
With the winter come also the citrus fruits, loaded with vitamin C in order to provide strength for the winter. But nature makes the best packages! The citrus peels have many benefits and uses.
In honor of International Compost Day 20/11/15, and also because it just makes sense and seems natural, I suggest that we all prepare detergents from organic citrus peels:
Most ordinary detergents today are products based on petrochemicals (Petroleum – mineral based, not animal or plant based), to which many people are sensitive. Accordingly, everyone should avoid physical contact with petrochemicals. However, many studies have found that the level of exposure to these chemical pollutants is 2 – 5 times higher within the house than outside the house. This is, of course, due to the use of petrochemical based cleaning materials.
Moreover, in addition to the direct exposure from physical contact during cleaning, they move on into our wastewater systems , where they can be seen as foam in streams and on beaches. There they harm animals, often killing or sterilizing them. The contaminated water also seeps into the soil, contaminating everything that grows, and continues deeper into the groundwater. This of course all comes back to us L. We drink this contaminated water and we eat contaminated crops. We also eat animals that are contaminated by these materials. This destructive cycle goes on and on – petrochemical based materials decompose in nature very slowly or not at all.
So Nature provides a healthy alternative too. You've heard about the cleaning power of organic lemon and orange… even commercial cleaning products advertises these properties J. Citrus peels contain a material with characteristics similar to alcohol. You can fold and squeeze a fat pomelo peel over a flame and see it. This is quite simple chemistry J. They are a powerful solvent.
In this season, the amount of citrus peels is nearly equal to the amount of the fruit that we eat and drink. From this amount, you can prepare a useful quantity of homemade household cleaning liquid.
It is very easy to do. Fill a pot with citrus peels and boil with water. Already it will distribute a fresh and natural scent in your home. The more peels you use, the stronger the concentration will be. Cool it and use it as is. This is an excellent material for floors, surfaces, refrigerator, stove…etc.
To make an even more powerful liquid, stuff lemon peels in a jar and add vinegar. Let it sit for about a week and then mash it all into a paste.
More uses for citrus peels, that do good for the body and the environment are as follows… Http://www.baba-mail.co.il/content.aspx?emailid=32671
Http://home.walla.co.il/item/2620445
Yours, Maggie and the garden staff.
I expect in our weekly baskets (draft only) :
lettuce
Sweet
Potatoes
Parsley
Pakchoi
Cucumbers
avocadoes
Peppers
pumpkin
onions
In the largeer ones also : Black radishes Swiss Chard Zucchinis
Organic fruit baskets ; Anonnas Oranges grapefruit
The largest organic fruit baskets also : sweeties Clementines Red grapefruit
