Wasteless Wednesday | Citrus + Vanilla Air Freshener

Every Wednesday, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite ways to work toward a zero waste 24 hours in the kitchen. These tips are easy to implement, affordable (anyone else a fan of saving $$$?), and kind to our planet.

Wasteless Wednesday is back! I’ve missed it. How about you?

There is something fun about the challenge of coming up with ideas for these posts. Part of the thrill comes from realizing there are things I do in the kitchen that unintentionally lead me closer to zero waste. One of those things is taking leftover citrus scraps- half a juiced lemon, some orange peels, etc- and using them to freshen the air (and amp up the humidity) in my home.

This trick is SO easy and it is a satisfying way to use scraps before you add them to your compost. Here’s what I do:

• Take whatever leftover citrus you have (pro tip: collect citrus scraps in a freezer bag so you can take them out as needed)

• Add the citrus to a medium, heavy pan with about 4-6 cups water

• Add a splash of vanilla (other fun additions: cinnamon stick, rosemary, thyme, a couple drops of lavender oil…you get the idea)

• Bring to a low simmer and let the fragrance fill your home! Be sure to check back occasionally to see if you need to add more water and DO NOT leave the house with the burner still on. #safetyfirst

I do this regularly this time of year and it always makes my house feel fresher, cleaner, and more cozy. If you try this tip, PLEASE take a photo and share it on Instagram! Be sure to tag me @setthetableblog so I’m sure to see it and I’ll share them in my stories!