How to Use Bananas All Around the House

When we think of bananas, we think of banana splits, or maybe monkeys. But bananas and their peels have a myriad of uses around the house that you may find surprising. Read on and find out how a simple banana can go the extra mile.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make "banana-sicles" for a cool summer treat. Slice bananas in half and insert an ice-cream stick into the flat end. Put them in the freezer on a sheet of wax paper for three or four hours. Remove the frozen bananas and dip into a pot of melted butterscotch or chocolate morsels and refreeze.
2. Banish aphids from rose bushes and other outdoor plants. Bury pieces of banana peels an inch beneath the soil around the base of the infested plant to run off the pests. Use only the peel so as not to attract other critters like rabbits or raccoons.
3. Make a moisturizing facial mask that leaves skin fresh and smooth. Mash up a ripe banana into a paste and apply it to the face and neck. After 20 minutes, rinse with cool water and pat dry. Try adding 1/4 cup of plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons of honey to the banana mash.
4. Polish the silver with the inside of a banana peel from which any loose or stringy pulp has been removed. Rub the peel over the silver then buff with a soft cloth. Use the same method to restore leather shoes or leather furniture. Test a small section on furniture before tackling the whole piece.
5. Assure a tender roast. Add a peeled, ripe banana to the roasting pan to tenderize a less than tender cut of meat.
6. Add bananas and their peels to the compost pile to contribute high levels of potassium and phosphorous. Remove stickers from the peels before composting. Bury bananas deep in the compost pile so as not to attract wildlife.