Bananas are a breakfast staple, a delicious snack, and a natural source of potassium. However, this versatile fruit holds a treasure trove of uses beyond being eaten. From beauty treatments to household hacks, bananas can be surprisingly resourceful. Here is a list of the clever ways you can use a banana.
Banana Face Mask
Bananas are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a fantastic natural ingredient for a DIY face mask. Mix a ripe banana with a tablespoon of honey and plain yogurt. Clean your face, apply the mixture, and leave it for 10–20 minutes. After that, rinse with warm water and pat your face dry. This mask will leave your skin feeling soft, hydrated, and nourished.
Soothes Bug Bites and Minor Scrapes
The next time you get a bug bite or a minor scrape, reach for a banana peel instead of the ointment. The inner white part of the peel contains natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Rub the banana peel gently on the affected area for a few minutes. The coolness will provide immediate relief, while the banana’s properties help soothe itching and reduce swelling.
Shining Up Silverware and Leather
The potassium in a banana peel works on tarnished silverware and leather goods. Buff tarnished silver with a banana peel to bring back its shine. Buff your leather shoes with the peel to regain their luster and remove minor scuffs. The natural oils in the banana will also help condition the leather, keeping it supple.
Gets rid of Splinters
Banana peels can be a surprising help for stubborn splinters. The peel’s natural enzymes might loosen the splinter, making removing it easier. Press the soft inside of the peel onto the splinter for 30 minutes. This can gently push the splinter closer to the surface, where you can quickly grab it with tweezers.
Fertilizer and Mulch
Skip the trash can for your banana peels. They’re packed with nutrients, especially potassium, which helps plants thrive. Turn them into fertilizer by drying and grinding the peels into a powder, then sprinkle a teaspoon around your plants. You can also chop banana peels into mulch, which will keep the soil moist and prevent the growth of weeds. This potassium boost is perfect for roses, tomatoes, and other plants that love it!
Natural Marinade Base
Banana enzymes can help tenderize tough cuts of meat. Mix a ripe banana with your ingredients, such as soy sauce, lemon juice, and herbs. Marinate your meat in the mixture for a few hours before cooking. The banana helps break down the muscle fibers in the meat, making it cook faster and leaving you with a juicier, more flavorful final product.
Attracting Butterflies and Birds
Consider hanging a banana feeder to attract beautiful butterflies and birds to your garden. Cut a ripe banana in half lengthwise and poke a hole in the center. String it up on a piece of twine and hang it from a tree branch or a shepherd’s hook. The sweetness of the banana will attract butterflies and birds for a delightful backyard spectacle. Just remember to remove the banana before nightfall to avoid attracting unwanted critters.
Restoring Scuffed Shoes
A banana peel can help with a scuffed pair you must wear in a pinch. Rub the inside of the peel on the scuffed area of your shoe. There are natural oils in the peel that will help buff out minor scratches and restore some shine. This is a temporary fix, but it can be a lifesaver when you need your shoes to look presentable quickly.
Natural Pain Relief
While not a replacement for professional dental care, a banana peel can temporarily relieve a mild toothache. The inner part of the peel contains a numbing agent called salicylate, similar to the active ingredient in aspirin. Rub the inside of a cool banana peel on the affected gum area for a few minutes. The coolness can provide comfort, and the mild numbing effect may relieve temporary pain.
Thawing Frozen Food Naturally
Bananas are surprisingly good conductors of heat. This property can be used to your advantage when thawing frozen food naturally. Place the frozen food item in a sealed plastic bag and surround it with peeled bananas. The bananas will help transfer heat to the frozen food, accelerating the thawing process without a microwave.
Removing Paint Splatter from Skin
Removing paint splatter from your skin can be messy, but banana peels can be a surprising solution. The potassium in the peel might loosen the paint, making removal easier. Rub the soft inside of the peel on the stain for a few minutes. Rinse with warm, soapy water. The paint may come off easier than just scrubbing with water. The paint should come off more quickly than if you tried cleaning it with just water.
Controlling the Ripening Process of Other Fruits
Bananas release ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent. If you have a bunch of bananas that are ripening too quickly, separate them from other fruits in your fruit bowl. Also, if you have some unripe fruits like avocados or mangoes, place them near a ripe banana to encourage them to ripen faster.
Promote Gut Health
Bananas can be surprisingly good for your digestion. They contain pectin, a fiber that helps move waste through your system more smoothly, preventing constipation and bloating. Pectin also has a prebiotic effect, feeding the good bacteria in your gut. This results in reduced inflammation and better blood sugar control.
Ease Heartburn
Bananas also relieve heartburn. These tasty, alkaline fruits help neutralize stomach acid that causes heartburn and GERD. If you experience heartburn, try incorporating bananas into your diet, especially at breakfast. They can coat your stomach lining and potentially provide relief throughout the day.
Good for Dry Hair
Bananas offer a surprising benefit for your hair. They contain silica, a mineral that helps your body build collagen, which may lead to stronger, thicker hair. Bananas also have antimicrobial properties that can soothe a dry, flaky scalp and reduce dandruff.