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There is also a moisture-absorbing function.

As citrus peels dry, they can absorb a small amount of moisture from the surrounding air.

In humid environments, placing them near windows may slightly help with dampness.

Though they are not a substitute for a dehumidifier, they can contribute to reducing musty smells associated with moisture.

Culturally, dried citrus peels have long been valued in traditional medicine and household practices.

In Chinese culture, for example, dried tangerine peel (called “chenpi”) is used in herbal remedies and cooking.

It is believed to support digestion and respiratory health.

While your grandmother-in-law may not be using the peels medicinally on the windowsill, the habit of drying peels rather than discarding them comes from a tradition of not wasting valuable natural materials.

Older generations were often taught to reuse everything possible.

Citrus peels could later be boiled into tea, added to soups, used in cleaning solutions, or placed in closets to scent clothes.

Leaving them to dry on a windowsill may simply be the first step in preparing them for later use.

Another possible explanation is mold prevention.

Sunlight has mild antimicrobial properties.

When peels dry fully, they become less likely to rot quickly.

Some people believe that citrus peels can help freshen air in areas prone to mildew.

Again, the effect is subtle, but it reflects a natural approach to household management.

There is also a psychological element. The scent of citrus is widely associated with cleanliness and energy.

Research in environmental psychology suggests that citrus aromas can improve mood, increase alertness, and create a perception of cleanliness—even if no cleaning has occurred.

For elderly individuals especially, familiar smells can provide comfort and emotional grounding.

The act of placing peels by the window may feel calming or routine-based, contributing to a sense of order and control.

In some traditions, citrus fruits also carry symbolic meaning.

Tangerines and oranges are symbols of good fortune and positive energy in various Asian cultures.

Leaving peels near windows could symbolically represent inviting good energy into the home while allowing negative energy to leave.

While this may not be scientifically measurable, cultural symbolism can strongly influence habits.

It’s also possible that the reason is purely practical and learned through experience.

Your grandmother-in-law may have grown up in a time or place where commercial products were scarce.

Using citrus peels for multiple purposes would have been economical.

Habits formed in youth often remain for life.

If you threw them away, she may have stopped you not because of superstition, but because to her they are useful tools, not trash.

What looks like waste to one generation can look like resourcefulness to another.

However, it’s worth noting that if peels are left too long in humid environments, they can eventually mold.

If you’re concerned about hygiene, you could gently ask her how long she intends to leave them and whether she plans to reuse them later.

This opens a respectful conversation rather than dismissing her practice.

In summary, leaving tangerine peels on windowsills can serve several purposes:

• Natural air freshening
• Mild insect repellent
• Slight moisture control
• Preparation for drying and reuse
• Cultural or symbolic significance

• Emotional comfort and routine

What seems unusual at first often has layers of history and practicality behind it.

Sometimes, these small household habits reflect a time when people relied more on natural solutions and less on store-bought products.

Instead of seeing the peels as clutter, it might help to see them as a quiet reminder of older wisdom—simple, resourceful, and connected to nature.

And perhaps, next time you smell that faint citrus scent drifting through the room, you’ll understand that they really are serving a purpose after all.