Reuse Citrus Fruit Peels: Make Bio Enzymes With Them

Natural cleaners or bio enzymes as they are commonly known, are a DIY kitchen product, made out of waste fruit peels – ideally citrus. They have largely gained popularity in recent times as being non-toxic cleaners that can digest all kinds of soils, stains and malodours. Propagated as being a great swap to chemical cleaners due to the micro-organisms penetrating even the narrowest cracks and crevices in order to disinfect them, it is believed that they are better than most chemical cleaner options available in the market.

Bio enzymatic cleaners are a sustainable lifestyle choice and also environmentally friendly. Made using a mixture of jaggery, water and fruit peel, the mixture ferments over a period of two or three months. Due to its all-natural composition, these cleaners do not pollute the environment. Once ready, these cleaners are pretty much all-purpose, ranging in their uses from cleaning flat surfaces around the house, utensils, toilets and even de-clogging drains. Bio enzyme cleaners are also effective as insect repellents and washing fruits and vegetables.

Once the bio enzyme cleaner solution is ready to use after straining, the leftover pulp acts as a great plant fertilizer. Overall, it is a sure shot way of ensuring that some part of your kitchen waste is recycled and utilised from start to finish. To make one batch of bio enzymes, use the following measurements:

• 300 grams orange/lemon peels
• 100 grams jaggery
• 1 litre water

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Method:

• In a large plastic jar or plastic water bottle, add the peels, jaggery and fill up the water leaving a 3–4-centimetre gap at the top. Mix well and set in a cool spot.
• Open the cap of the bottle foe a minute or two everyday for a whole week to release the carbon dioxide formed within the container as a result of fermentation and breaking down of complex molecules. Allow it to ferment for a couple of months and strain well. Store in glass bottles/jars after the solution is ready.
• You can also swap the citrus peels when not in season with fruits like pineapple, sweet limes and watermelon rinds.