Seven Uniquely Economical Uses for Bananas
by Liane Schmidt on Jul 05, 2009 with 27 Comments
If you love the fruit, you’ll be even more pleased with all the many unique things you can do with it.
Not only are Bananas: The World’s Most Perfect Fruit, containing excellent sources of nutrition and exceptionally affordable on your budget, pleasantly, the benefits don’t end there.
So before you decide to toss out the peel, take a look at some of the great, unique uses for it below:
1. A shoe or silverware polish
That’s right you can actually use the inside of the banana peel to shine up leather shoes and your fine silverware. Simply peel the banana, remove the stringy pieces and rub the inside of the peel over whatever you want to bring shine too. When you’re done, simply use a soft cloth or paper towel to buff up the object.
2. A banana mask
Not only is this an all-natural way to keep your face fresh and softer, your pocket book will thank you. Simply take a medium-size banana and mash it into a smooth paste. Once completed, smooth it over your face and neck. Let it sit for approximately 10-20 minutes and wash it away with cool water. Try a variation of this treatment. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey, ¼ cup of plain yogurt and 1 banana and repeat the rest of the process above.
3. Give luster to your houseplants
Grab a new banana peel and start rubbing each leaf of your plant. Misting or dusting only spread the dirt around. Using a banana peel removes the unwanted dust and leaves behind a pleasant, nice shine!
4. Eliminate warts
Have you found a wart that just won’t go away? No need to fret! Cut a piece of banana peel the size of the wart and place it so that the inside of the peel is against it. Next put a Band-Aid over it to keep it in place. Replace the peel every day or at least every 3-5 days. Do this for about 2-3 weeks and wah lah you’re wart will have disappeared!
5. If you love birds and butterflies you can attract them to your backyard
Birds and butterflies love the sweetness of overripe bananas and other fruit like oranges and mangos. Simply put a few holes in the fruit and watch the delicate creatures visit. However, keep in mind that overripe fruit can also attract things you don’t want like bees, wasps, fruit flies, and raccoons, so be careful.
6. Create a rich fertilizer for your garden
Dry out the peels and then grind them up in a blender. Use the mixture to give seedlings and new plants a healthy start rich in potassium. Cut up banana peels and use them as plant food for plants like rose bushes that love the nutrients found in this fruit.
7. Tenderize the meat you cook
Using banana leaves (wrapping them around the meat) to tenderize is a very common practice in Asian countries. Many believe that if you take the peel of the banana and put it in the pan you are cooking the meat in; it will have the same effect as using the fruit’s leaves.
For more great tips:
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CHAN LEE PENG | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for this great piece that fill up my time. Liked it.
Mr Ghaz | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Great post!!..This is wonderful and very helpful article..excellent tips too..well done and thanx for sharing..
Josey | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
What wonderful ideas! I love this.
Lostash | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
I never knew they were so versatile!!!
Dee Gold | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
another informative article,thanks
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Most of these uses are indeed new to me, thanks.
krishnarain | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Wow. The pictures look great…my best wishes to u.
Anne Lyken Garner | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Yes, the banana has so many uses. I especially liked the one about cleaning plant leaves. I shall certainly use that one.
Inna Tysoe | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Good tips.
Thanks,
Inna
Marcus Edward John Cross | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Hey, I never knew it could be used to treat warts! I’ll have to try that, because I do actually have a wart on my left hand.
I have added it to SU
Judy Sheldon | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
Liane, thanks for the useful tips for bananas and their peels.
CA Johnson | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
These are wonderful tips, Liane. I did not realize you can use banana peels for these things. Great job!
Daisy Peasblossom | Jul 5, 2009 | Reply
I love bananas. Now I know what to do with the peel.
Deep Blue | Jul 6, 2009 | Reply
You have a storehouse of great bright ideas. Thanks for sharing my friend. Sorry, your works just dont show up on my friend’s list browser. Anyway I have tried to catch up.
Best regards,
Will
Sheila McGlothlin | Jul 6, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting! Although I’d have to say bananas have been quite expensive lately=(
evviesands | Jul 6, 2009 | Reply
As usual, your articles are enjoyable, surprisingly original and somewhat funny. Keep the good writing!
lindalulu | Jul 6, 2009 | Reply
Interesting and wonderful article Liane.
Poetic Enigma | Jul 6, 2009 | Reply
Very intersting facts to know about bananas!
Thanks for sharing, great write
Emily Ashley | Jul 7, 2009 | Reply
Great article and I love the pictures.
NA Staffieri | Jul 7, 2009 | Reply
Liane,
And I thought the only thing I could use a banana peel for was to slide it on the floor and hope my Mother-in-Law slips on it!
That is #8 on your list, right?
Thanks for the useful information, as always.
Allena Impire | Jul 7, 2009 | Reply
Simply amazing.
OhSugar | Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
Excellent post with very useful information.
rizzei | Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
wow nice infos..great work! nice pice too^_^
Emily Greenleaf | Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
Very nice. Good work! I’ll try some uses out sometime
~Emily
HelloSiti | Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
So, banana is the most perfect fruit. I like to use it as mask too (for my more beautiful face).
Ashley Thorneycroft | Jul 10, 2009 | Reply
I never knew bananas could be so useful. Thanks!
Chris Stonecipher | Jul 12, 2009 | Reply
Great tips. Many of these I never heard of. Thank you
Bless you,
Chris