How to Dry Citrus Peels Without a Dehydrator (Simple, Natural, and Zero-Waste)

Shellie Lynn Bolyard
4 days ago
7 min read

When life hands you citrus… don’t just make lemonade. Save the peels, dry them, and turn them into hormone-loving, skin-supporting, immune-boosting magic.

You don’t need a dehydrator. You don’t need fancy equipment. You barely even need effort — which is ideal because midlife energy is precious and must be rationed like toilet paper during 2020.

This guide will show you exactly how to dry citrus peels naturally, even in winter, even in humidity, and yes… even when your oven runs hotter than your last hot flash.

Why Dry Citrus Peels?

Because they’re basically multivitamins disguised as trash — the unsung heroes quietly sitting in your compost bin while you Google expensive supplements.

Dried citrus peels are naturally rich in:

Vitamin C — hello collagen, immune support, brighter skin, and fewer “Why do I look so tired?” mornings
Antioxidants — your daily anti-aging squad working overtime to fight inflammation and stress
Flavonoids — powerful plant compounds that support hormone balance, detox pathways, digestion, and even healthy blood sugar
Essential oils — uplifting, aromatic compounds that lift your mood, calm your nervous system, and trigger that “everything’s going to be okay” feeling we all crave

But let’s go deeper, because citrus peels are doing the MOST behind the scenes…

Physical Benefits

Supports liver detoxification, which your midlife hormones desperately appreciate
Helps digestion and bloating, especially after your kids stress you into eating snacks you didn’t plan for
Promotes healthy metabolism thanks to naturally occurring polyphenols
Supports heart health with pectin and flavonoids
May help balance cholesterol levels
Reduces inflammation, the root of basically everything annoying
Brightens and revitalizes skin when used in teas or DIY beauty treatments
Supports immunity year-round, not just during cold season
Natural antimicrobial properties, which makes them great for teas, tonics, cleaners, and skincare

Mental & Emotional Benefits

Citrus isn’t just good for your body — it’s a full mind-body support system:

Naturally uplifting aroma that helps ease stress, fatigue, irritability, and emotional heaviness
Calms the nervous system, especially when inhaled through teas, steam, or simmer pots
May help sharpen focus and mental clarity, which is a gift when brain fog tries to run the show
Enhances mood and energy — citrus scents are literally studied for their ability to boost serotonin
Invites joy, lightness, and play back into your day
Helps break survival-mode patterns through simple, sensory rituals

You’re not just drying peels…You’re creating tiny, zesty wellness tools for your mind and body.

Aromatherapy & Energetic Benefits

If you’re a little “woo” (or just citrus-curious), citrus peels also offer:

Emotional clearing — citrus is traditionally used to lift heaviness and stagnant energy
Renewal + fresh start energy — perfect for women navigating midlife transitions
Heart-opening effects — easing tightness, stress, and emotional overwhelm
Confidence boosting vibes — citrus is bright, bold, invigorating, and contagious
Support for intuitive rituals, altars, seasonal cleansing, and self-care practices

Basically: citrus peels are like your cheerful best friend who reminds you to breathe, unclench your jaw, and remember who you are.

And let’s not forget the lifestyle magic:

Drying your own citrus peels means:

Zero waste
Zero weird additives
Zero mystery fragrances that sound like “Ocean Twilight” but give you a headache
Zero overpriced jars of “artisanal citrus peel” sold at fancy stores for $12.99

It’s natural medicine, natural beauty, natural aromatherapy, and natural emotional support… all from something you were about to throw away.

This is the kind of simple, powerful healing I want midlife women to get EXCITED about — the kind that reminds you your wellness doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or confusing.

If you love slow, nourishing seasonal rituals, you’ll also enjoy my guide on Autumn Self-Care Rituals for Hormone Healing.

Links in this post may contain affiliate links. Read my full affiliate disclosure here.

Step 1: Thoroughly Wash Your Citrus Before Peeling

The peel is where citrus stores its essential oils — and unfortunately, anything else that’s been sprayed, waxed, touched, rolled, displayed, or manhandled along the way.

A quick rinse isn’t enough. You want these babies clean-clean.

Here are the best ways to get the rind truly clean before peeling:

Method A: Hot Water + Scrub (Fast + Effective)

Run the whole citrus under warm-to-hot water to soften waxes.
Use a clean produce brush or a rough kitchen towel.
Scrub in circles.
Rinse well and dry completely.

Great for: store-bought citrus with that suspicious glossy shine.

Method B: Vinegar Rinse (Natural + Gentle)

Fill a bowl with 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.
Soak citrus for 5–10 minutes.
Scrub lightly.
Rinse + dry.

Helps remove:

Bacteria
Surface pesticides
Residual wax

Method C: Baking Soda Scrub (For Heavy Wax)

Wet the citrus.
Sprinkle a little baking soda onto the peel.
Scrub for 20–30 seconds.
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

This is my favorite for conventional citrus.

Method D: Salt Scrub (Old-School + Effective)

Wet the peel.
Sprinkle coarse salt.
Scrub with your hands.
Rinse + dry.

Perfect for lifting wax and grime without chemicals.

Step 2: Prep Your Peels

Once your citrus is squeaky clean:

Peel or zest
- Thicker strips for teas, infusions, fire cider, and vinegar cleaners
- Fine zest for cooking, herbal skincare, and spice blends
Pat dry The drier the peels are now, the faster they’ll dry later.

If you’re using these peels for natural skincare, check out my Natural Anti-Aging Face Cream Recipe for a gorgeous way to pair them with nourishing oils.

Step 3: Dry Your Citrus Peels Without a Dehydrator

You can use any citrus: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, tangerines, mandarins, clementines… even the sad ones at the bottom of the fruit bowl.

Method #1: Air Drying (The Zero-Effort Method)

This is the gentlest method and keeps aroma bright and vibrant.

How to Air Dry:

Lay peels on a clean towel or parchment.
Place somewhere warm, breezy, and dry.
Let sit 2–4 days depending on humidity.
They’re ready when they snap, not bend.

Method #2: Oven Drying (The Fast Method)

Perfect if you want dried peels today.

How to Oven Dry:

Preheat oven to 170°F–200°F (or lowest setting).
Line a sheet with parchment.
Spread peels in a single layer.
Bake 1.5–2.5 hours, flipping halfway.
They’re done when crisp and curled.

Step 4: Store Your Dried Citrus Peels

Once cool and fully dry:

Store in a glass jar
Keep away from sunlight
Label it (future you will forget what it is — guaranteed)

They stay fresh for up to a year.

10 Beautiful Ways to Use Dried Citrus Peels

1. Citrus Tea

Steep 1–2 tsp in hot water. Pairs beautifully with tulsi, chamomile, hibiscus, rosehips, or cinnamon.

If you love herbal tea blends, don’t miss my post on natural immune boosting mocktails.

2. Skin + Beauty Rituals

Use dried peels in:

Facial steams
Body scrubs
Infused oils
Bath salts

Their natural oils help brighten dull, tired midlife skin without harsh ingredients or complicated routines. If you love simple, botanical beauty, you’ll also enjoy my DIY herbal face mask for glowing skin — it pairs beautifully with citrus-infused oils and is one of the easiest ways to give your skin that luminous, well-rested look we’re all chasing.

You can even grind your dried citrus peel into a fine powder and mix a pinch into your mask for gentle exfoliation and a brightening boost.

3. Citrus-Infused Cleaning Vinegar

Soak peels in white vinegar for at least 2 weeks.

Strain and use for an instant toxin-free spray.

4. Simmer Pot Air Freshener

Simmer your dried citrus peels with cinnamon, cloves, or star anise for instant cozy home vibes.

This has quickly become one of my new obsessions — probably because it throws me straight back to the ’80s, when every mom had a pot of something simmering on the stove. And by “something,” I mean store-bought potpourri filled with neon flower petals, wood chips dyed unnatural shades of mauve, and mystery fragrance beads that smelled like “Autumn Sunrise” but were really just chemical warfare in disguise.

We didn’t know it at the time, but those cute little potpourri bags were basically slow-release toxic air bombs… sitting right next to the stove. A homemade simmer pot, on the other hand, gives you all the nostalgic comfort — minus the artificial scents and accidental chemical fog. It’s cozy, it’s natural, and it won’t make your kitchen smell like a mall kiosk from 1987.

5. Fire Cider Upgrade

Add dried orange or lemon peel to boost flavor and immune support. Learn more benefits in my spicy post: Fire Cider: Ther Herbal Power Tonic Big Pharma Hopes You Never Make

6. Seasonings + Cooking

Great in marinades, salads, muffins, homemade spice blends, soups, and sauces.

7. Herbal Rituals

Add dried citrus to baths, steam bowls, or seasonal altars for emotional cleansing and a much-needed energetic reset. There’s something almost ceremonial about using whole, natural ingredients — it feels like you’re telling your nervous system, “Hey… we’re not living in survival mode anymore.”

And if your body is asking for a little extra TLC (or your feet are threatening a full-on mutiny after a long day), pair your citrus rituals with my Cucumber Mint Foot Soak. It’s the kind of simple, refreshing ritual that makes you question why spa days cost $200 when you can recreate the magic at home with a cucumber and ten minutes of peace.

Mix and match your rituals — citrus for the soul, mint for the feet — and suddenly your whole evening feels like a mini spiritual retreat you didn’t have to put real pants on for.

8. Potpourri + Sachets

A deliciously cottagecore way to freshen drawers or closets.

9. Cocktail/Mocktail Garnish

Instant upgrade that makes your drinks look Pinterest-worthy.

10. Handmade Gifts

Add dried citrus to jars, blends, teas, or bath salts for easy, thoughtful gifts.

Final Thoughts

Drying citrus peels is one of the easiest, most satisfying natural practices for midlife wellness. It’s simple, zero-waste, and gives you bright, nourishing ingredients you can use all year long.

Once you start saving them… you’ll never look at citrus the same way again.

Want More Natural Remedies for Midlife Hormones?

Grab my Perimenopause Symptom Relief Tracker — your first step to understanding your symptoms, spotting patterns, and finally getting the clarity you deserve.