Can you name a more versatile fruit than a lemon? From sweet to savoury, cookies to pancakes, tea to cold remedies and dishwashing powder to laundry liquid – we’re big fans.
Step into the cleaning world and you’ll discover how magical a lemon truly is – with the power to clean and sanitize as if you were using bleach, but without the nasty smell and side effects, especially to those who suffer from respiratory issues. What’s even better? You can use the entire lemon, so nothing is left to waste.
Has life given you some lemons? Read on to learn how you can use them in 14 clever ways.
1. Deodorize Your Fridge
Move Over, Baking Soda! Simply remove any spoiled food from your fridge, soak a sponge in lemon juice, and place it in the unit for three to four hours. You’ll be surprised how nice everything smells once you’re done – and guess what? Your sponge is now deodorized and sanitized, too.
2. Make a Natural Air Freshener
Lemons are a beautiful and natural air freshening alternative – free of allergy-inducing chemicals and scents. This even works if you have pets. For tough odors, cut a few lemons in half, place them in a bowl, cut side up, and set them in the offensive room for several hours. For a more permanent freshener, leave the lemons whole; they still freshen the air, and you can grab one when you need it for something else.
3. Eliminate Fireplace Odors
Let’s keep talking odours, as lemons are great with them. Everyone loves a warm and cozy fireplace in the wintertime, but one of the questions some people frequently ask is how to eliminate fireplace odours. After a time, your fireplace emits an unpleasant odour no matter how clean you keep it. Cut some lemons in half, scoop out the meat, and toss the peels into the flames. Voila! A deodorized fireplace.
4. Natural Marble Cleaner
If your tried-and-true marble cleaner has failed to remove the unsightly stains, try lemons – carefully! Cut a lemon and dip one half of it in salt; scrub your stain with the “lemon sponge” and then rinse very, very well, as the lemon’s acid can damage marble if there is any residue.
5. Brass, Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner
Lemons also work wonders on your brass, chrome, copper, and stainless steel… anything! Mix lemon juice with salt (or baking soda) to make a paste and apply it to the surface you’re cleaning. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, rinse with warm water, and polish dry.
6. Effortless Glass Cleaner
If your coffee pot is showing its age and your wine decanter has an unhealthy purple hue, you probably need to do some cleaning. Cut a lemon in half and rub the juice along the stained surface. Allow the juice to sit for several hours and then rinse to a sparkling clean shine. Simple!
7. Natural Microwave Cleaner and Deodorizer
Left something in the microwave too long only to have it explode and leave a smelly, crusty mess? Harsh cleaners are not a good idea here, particularly since you want to cook your food in a toxin-free environment. Grab a microwave-safe bowl and squeeze 3 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice into 1 1/2 cups of water. Cook it on high for five to 10 minutes and wipe the condensation, along with the mess, away.
8. Chemical-Free Insect Repellent
There’s nothing more horrifying than walking into your kitchen and seeing ants or roaches scurrying about. Take a fresh lemon and squeeze the juice directly on your windowsills and door thresholds. Cut up the rinds when done and toss them just outside the door. Identify any holes or cracks where the creepy crawlers are entering and squeeze lemon juice there, too. Mop your floors with lemon water.
9. A Safe, Eco-Friendly Bleach Alternative
Bleach harms us and the environment – and can literally be deadly, especially to those with weakened lungs. You want your whites white? Try this: add 1 cup of lemon juice to your washing cycle and watch it clean and deodorize your clothing. It also works well on those kitchen and bathroom linens that mildew.
10. Natural Skin Cleanser
The wonders of lemons in cleaning may have convinced you by now – but they’re good for you, too. If you have acne or blackheads that are distressing you, lemons have antibacterial properties perfect for your skin. Slice a lemon and rub the juice on your face; it might itch a little but be patient. Allow it to rest on your skin for a few minutes and then rinse clean.
11. Lemon For Your Body
Yes, lemon juice works wonders on the rest of your skin, as well. For beautiful skin, try a homemade body wash with lemon juice, natural yogurt and lavender oil – trust us. The concoction works wonders in cleaning and moisturizing your skin and keeps harsh and dangerous chemicals away from your skin!
12. Dandruff Treatment
If you suffer from dandruff or other scalp irritations, lemon might just be the ticket to soothe your stressed scalp. Just as it does for your face and body, lemon mixed with certain ingredients can provide antibacterial properties, and cleanse and moisturize your scalp. Try mixing coconut oil, honey, and lemon juice for your irritated scalp, and see the difference!
13. Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
Anyone else not fond of swishing alcohol-laden mouthwash in your mouth for 60 seconds every morning? Fortunately, lemons freshen your breath and balance your mouth’s pH level. Take fresh-squeezed lemon juice and swish it around for a minute. Spit it out (or swallow it for even greater benefits) and then rinse your mouth with clean water after five minutes to remove the acid from your teeth.
14. Bin Deodorizer
So, what do you do with all the leftover lemon rinds from using lemons for the 13 reasons above? Slice them and run them through your garbage disposal to clean and deodorize it. Contrary to popular belief, you can also compost lemon and other citrus peels, so if you have a compost pile, check to make sure they’ll work well with your mix and add them to it.
This post is bought to you by our friends at BusyBee Cleaning & Janitorial Services. BusyBee takes pride in ensuring they provide safe and effective cleaning by using natural and environmentally friendly cleaning techniques – you guess it – including lemon
