Bananas are among the most sold fresh fruits, second only to apples and pears. However, they also represent a significant source of waste. Each year, bananas that aren’t eaten contribute to environmental issues with almost 60% of banana biomass left as waste after harvest.
You do not need to throw bananas away every time they start browning. These versatile fruits can be used in many unique ways, from natural beauty treatments to practical household hacks. In this post, we’ll explore some innovative uses for bananas that go beyond their role in breakfast dishes and smoothies.
Get ready to discover how this commonly wasted fruit can be creatively repurposed.
The Face Mask
Bananas can add that natural touch to your daily skincare routine. You can use them to make a face mask that hydrates the skin and makes it feel softer and fresher. We recommend using bananas that have started browning since you want to use them first. Keep the fresh ones for consumption. You can also make another face mask using honey, bananas, and yogurt. That is another option that will rehydrate your skin without any artificial ingredients.
The Aphid Repellent
People who love having indoor gardens know how big of a pain aphids are. These invasive pests feed on the plant sap and damage your plants. Well, no more. Bananas are a natural aphid repellent. Dry up your banana peels and chop them up into tiny pieces. Next, bury those pieces around the base of the plant that might show signs of an aphid infestation. Those little annoyances will be gone by the next day.
The Cleaning Kit
Banana peels can replace an entire shoe and silverware polishing kit. Try this if you don’t believe me: Clean the inner side of the peels, removing any sticky remnants. Now, rub the inner side of the peel on your shoes or silverware. If you see any goo stuck to the banana peel, use a paper towel to wipe that off. Get them all shiny the natural way.
The Natural Fertilizer
Bananas are a gardener’s best friend. They can be used as pesticides and fertilizers. You can dry out the banana peels and then blend them into powder. You can then use this powder directly to boost your seedlings’ nutrition. You can also mix them with water to feed your plants, which is a nutrient-rich meal. The other generic option is to compost the peels and use them as fertilizer.
The First Aid Kit
Banana peels are also a medical wonder. They have anti-inflammatory properties, so you can use them to treat minor inflammatory injuries such as scrapes or sunburn. Take the peel and press it onto the wound. Imagine using a cold or hot compress and repeating the same procedure. You should feel better after some time.
The Popsicle Treat
This artistic delicacy will bring out the chef in you. Cut a banana in half. Ensure it has ripened first. Next, put an ice cream stick through it, just like you would do for any homemade popsicle. Put those banana treats on wax paper and let them freeze.
Now, melt some chocolate chips. You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate, but it’s recommended to use dark or milk chocolate. Then, dip the frozen bananas into the molten chocolate. Let them rest for a bit in the freezer. Use whatever toppings you like, such as crushed nuts or sprinkles. You have an easy dessert recipe that everyone loves: friends, family, and kids.
The Homemade Exfoliation Scrub
Hopping again on the skincare express, let’s talk about how bananas can be used for exfoliation. You can make body scrubs using bananas. It is easy, and the expenses for this are much less than the ones you find in the stores.
For a gentle textured scrub, use brown sugar with your mashed banana. For a medium scrub, use oatmeal with your mashed banana. For a tougher texture, use crushed apricot pits with the banana. For additional benefits, you can always add aloe vera.
The Butterfly Magnet
If you have a backyard garden and want to make it livelier, bananas can come to your rescue. Take bananas, punch a few holes into them, and leave them outside. You will see birds and butterflies gathering. The holes will make the sweet fruit more accessible to these little creatures. The sweetness is bound to attract bees as well. So, if you have flowers, you will have higher chances of pollination. The one to remember here is that you must remember to put the bananas inside before sunset. Otherwise, it will attract unnecessary attention from raccoons and other nocturnal creatures.
The Teeth Whitener
Bananas will save you the money that you spend on teeth whiteners. They will organically serve the same purpose without any harmful artificial preservatives. To do this, rub the inside of a banana peel on your teeth daily. The citric acid in the banana peel will come in handy. It will give your pearly whites a whole new makeover. Keep smiling and shining.
The Dog Treat
Yes, that’s right. Even your fur babies can enjoy the goodness of bananas. They are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. Bananas are high in magnesium, fiber, and potassium and are good in low quantities. They have low cholesterol and sodium but are high in sugar. This makes them great as treats but not a staple food.
The Hair Repair Kit
Bananas are great for your hair, too. You can use bananas as a cure if you have dry and frizzy hair. Mash the bananas according to the length of your hair. Then, put the mashed bananas on your hair and let them rest for around 15 minutes. Once that’s done, wash that slurry off and shampoo your hair. Your hair should feel fresh and hydrated.
The Acid Reflux Cure
Bananas are an alkaline fruit with a pH of 4.5 for unripe bananas to 5.92 for ripened bananas. They become more alkaline as they ripen, which can be great for acid reflux. You can consume them as a homemade remedy for heartburn. Their alkaline nature will help neutralize the acid to some extent, thus helping you out of the discomfort.
