Putting orange peels into an empty plastic bottle is a simple trick that brings surprising benefits—something you should definitely try today.

Oranges are a popular fruit enjoyed by many because they are rich in vitamins and minerals. After eating the fruit, most people simply throw the peels away, but this is actually a huge waste. In fact, the nutritional value of orange peels is almost as impressive as the flesh of the fruit. They contain high levels of vitamin C, natural essential oils, and various antioxidants. When dried, orange peels can be used to make tea, medicine, or natural health-care products.

Beyond their nutritional value, orange peels also offer a wide range of practical uses. They can be turned into fertilizer for plants, help purify the air, repel insects, and freshen up indoor spaces. One clever method is to place orange peels inside an empty water bottle to create a homemade cleaning solution that can save you a significant amount of money each year.

Here’s how to make it. You’ll need fresh orange peels, an empty plastic water bottle, salt, white vinegar, and baking soda. Then follow the steps below:

Step 1:
Place the orange peels in a bowl of salt water and soak them for 20 minutes. The surface of orange peels often contains wax, dirt, and bacteria; soaking them in diluted salt water helps clean and sanitize the outer layer effectively.

Step 2:
Rinse the peels thoroughly with clean water and pat them dry. Slice the peels into thin strips— the thinner they are, the better, as this allows the beneficial compounds in the peel to be released more easily during the soaking process.

Step 3:
Wash the empty water bottle well, then put the sliced orange peels inside. Do not fill the bottle completely; just a little over halfway is enough.

Step 4:
Add four capfuls of baking soda and eight capfuls of white vinegar to the bottle, then pour in filtered water. Be careful not to fill the bottle to the top. When baking soda and vinegar react, they release gas, which can cause the bottle to burst if it’s too full.

Step 5:
Seal the bottle tightly and place it in the refrigerator. Every day, open the cap slightly to allow excess gas to escape, then close it again to let the fermentation and reaction continue.

After three days, the mixture is ready to use. So what exactly can you do with it?

In reality, this homemade liquid works wonderfully as a dishwashing solution, replacing commercial dish soaps. Orange peel cleaner not only removes grease effectively but also leaves a fresh, natural citrus scent. It’s gentle on the skin, non-irritating, and much safer than many chemical-based products. Using this DIY method, you can easily save several hundred thousand Vietnamese đồng per year—while also reducing household waste and using eco-friendly ingredients.