The Many Uses for Lemons

The acid in lemons has antiseptic properties and a fresh scent, making it a natural solution for your household chores.

Use Them to Clean Your… 

Countertops: Dip the cut side of a lemon half in baking soda to tackle countertops; wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Don’t use on delicate stone, like marble, or stainless steel (it may discolor).

Cutting boards: To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Dishes: To increase the grease-cutting power of your dishwashing detergent, add a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Faucets: Combat lime scale by rubbing lemon juice onto the taps and letting it sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.

Garbage disposal: Cut a lemon in half, then run both pieces through the disposal. “The lemon cleans it and makes it smell great.

Grout: Here’s how to tackle grout stains: Add lemon juice to 1 or 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (an acidic salt that acts as a natural bleaching agent) to make a paste. Apply with a toothbrush, then rinse.

Hands:. Rub your hands with lemon juice, which will neutralize odors.

Laundry: To brighten whites, add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the rinse cycle for a normal-size load. then let dry in the sun if possible

Plastic food-storage containers: To bleach stains from on dishwasher-safe items, rub lemon juice on the spots, let dry in a sunny place, then wash as usual.

Microwave: Kill microwave smells. Fill a heat-resistant bowl with water and half a lemon and zap for five minutes.

Dust: Mix 10 drops lemon oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice and a few drops olive oil in a spray bottle. Spray onto surfaces; wipe with a soft cloth.

Wood Polish: If it's varnished: Add a few drops of lemon to ½ cup warm water. Spray onto a slightly damp cotton cloth and wipe furniture. If it's unvarnished: Mix 2 teaspoons each of olive oil and lemon juice. Apply to a soft cotton cloth. Use wide strokes to distribute evenly.

Bathroom:  Put lemon juice on a sponge and wipe shower doors to remove soap scum.
Sparkle and shine.

Metal: This natural bleach and disinfectant cleans brass and copper. Sprinkle salt over half a lemon, rub it over the metal, and then wash clean.

Special Thanks to Real Simple