10 Super Helpful Uses for Banana Peels You Need to Know

Cook up Juicy, Tender Chicken

Chicken breasts are your go-to for a quick and healthy family dinner. The only problem? The breasts often end up a little dry. To ensure your chicken turns out juicy every time, place a banana peel, white side down, on top of the chicken while it cooks. The peel acts like skin to lock in the meat’s juices—without affecting the flavor of the chicken.

Soothe Tired, Puffy Eyes

To look bright-eyed after a late night with friends, simply rub the white side of a banana peel on the skin under your eyes and over your closed eyelids. Let sit for 10 minutes, then wash any residue off. The peel’s potassium will draw out fluids and ease swelling, so you’ll look refreshed in a blink.

Ease the Pain of a Minor Burn

Ouch! You brushed your arm against a pot on the stove and you don’t have any first-aid cream on hand to soothe the pain. What can help: Hold the white side of a banana peel on the affected skin for five minutes. Banana peels are packed with antioxidants and vitamins (like vitamin B-6), that will help speed healing and ease the sting. You’ll feel better in no time!

Attract Butterflies to Your Yard

Nothing brightens your day like the sight of butterflies paying a visit to your backyard. The secret to attracting them: banana peels! The peel contains sugar, which the winged creatures love. Simply set a few peels on rocks or a tree stump in your yard, and they’ll stop by for a taste!

Add Shine to Houseplants

If your potted plants look like they could use a little pick-me-up, enlist the help of a banana peel. Simply wipe the leaves of the plants with the white side of the peel. Its slightly rough texture will gently buff away dirt on the leaves, and its natural oils will leave behind a glossy shine.

Ripen an Avocado in a Flash

You promised to make guacamole for tomorrow’s church picnic, but the avocado in your kitchen isn’t quite ripe. The save: Place it in an airtight container with a banana peel for 12 to 24 hours. The peel will release ethylene, the natural gas that promotes ripening.

Lift Ink Stains from Skin

Eek! While writing your to-do list, your pen exploded all over your hands, and soap and water aren’t doing the trick. The save: Rub the inside of a banana peel on the areas covered in ink until the stains disappear. The peel’s natural oils weaken the ink’s bond with the skin, allowing you to rinse off any marks that remain.

Banish a Dog’s Warts Naturally

Buster has a few unsightly warts on his paw that he keeps rubbing and licking. To get rid of them naturally and help him feel better, try this: Every day, rub the inside of a banana peel over each of the warts for a few minutes. The peel contains compounds that help kill the virus that causes warts. (Note: If the warts remain after two weeks or if they return, have a vet take a look, as warts can be contagious to other dogs.)

Whiten Teeth on a Budget

Instead of splurging on expensive teeth-whitening strips to get a picture perfect smile, reach for a banana peel. To do: Rub the white side of the peel on your teeth for two minutes, repeating daily. You should see results in a week. Banana peels contain minerals like magnesium, potassium and manganese that minimize stains on the teeth without damaging the enamel.

Guarantee a Lush Rosebush

To give the roses in your garden a healthy boost, cut up a banana peel and bury the pieces just below the soil at the base of the bush. Minerals in the peel will nourish the plant, ensuring healthy blooms and growth.

This story originally appeared in our print magazine. 

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