Lemon is not only a delicious fruit that can add a zesty flavor to your dishes and drinks, but also a powerful natural cleaner that can help you keep your home sparkling and fresh. Lemon has antibacterial, antiseptic, and deodorizing properties that can tackle a variety of cleaning tasks, from removing stains and odors to disinfecting and polishing. Plus, lemon has a pleasant citrus scent that can uplift your mood and energize your senses.
In this article, we will show you 12 amazing tricks to clean your home with lemon. You will be surprised by how many things you can do with this versatile fruit. Let’s get started!
1. Make an all-purpose kitchen cleaner with lemon
If you want to make your own eco-friendly and budget-friendly kitchen cleaner, lemon is a great ingredient to use. All you need is a large jar, some leftover lemon peels, and white vinegar.
Fill the jar halfway with lemon peels, then pour vinegar over them until the jar is full. Screw the lid on and let the mixture infuse for two weeks in a dark place. Then, strain the liquid and transfer it to a spray bottle. You can use this lemon vinegar solution to clean and disinfect your countertops, stovetop, sink, fridge, microwave, and more. Just spray and wipe with a cloth or sponge.
2. Freshen up a smelly fridge with lemon
If your fridge smells a little funky, lemon can help you neutralize the odors and freshen it up. There are a few ways you can do this:
Squeeze some lemon juice into a small bowl and place it on the bottom shelf of your fridge. The lemon juice will absorb the smells and leave a fresh scent behind.
Soak a large cotton ball in lemon juice and leave it in the fridge. Replace it every few days or when it dries out.
Cut a lemon in half and place it cut-side up in a small bowl. The lemon flesh will act as a natural air freshener and deodorizer.
3. Clean your oven with lemon
Cleaning the oven can be a daunting and messy task, especially if you want to avoid using harsh chemicals. But with lemon, you can make it easier and safer. Here’s how:
Cut two lemons in half and squeeze the juice into an oven-safe dish. Add the lemon halves to the dish and fill it with water until it’s about one-third full.
Place the dish in the oven and heat it to 120°C (250°F) for 30 minutes or until the water is bubbling.
Turn off the oven and let it cool completely. Then, use a scouring pad or sponge to scrub away the grease and grime. Wipe with a damp cloth and dry with a towel.
4. Clean your microwave with lemon
Another kitchen appliance that can benefit from lemon cleaning is the microwave. Lemon can help you remove the stubborn, stuck-on stains and splatters on the inside of your microwave with ease. Here’s the trick:
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the lemon halves to the bowl and fill it with water.
Microwave the bowl for a few minutes or until the water is boiling. Then, let it sit inside the microwave for another 5 to 10 minutes so that the steam can loosen the dirt.
Remove the bowl and wipe the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth or sponge. Enjoy your sparkling clean microwave!
5. Remove limescale with lemon
Limescale is a hard, white, chalky deposit that can form on faucets, showerheads, kettles, and other surfaces that come in contact with hard water. It can make your fixtures look dull and dirty, and affect their performance. Luckily, lemon can help you dissolve and remove limescale with its acidic power. Here are some examples:
To clean your faucet or showerhead, cut a lemon in half and rub it over the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with water and buff with a soft cloth.
To clean your kettle, fill it with water and add a few slices of lemon. Boil the water and let it sit for an hour. Then, pour out the water and rinse the kettle well.
To clean your toilet, squeeze some lemon juice into the bowl and sprinkle some baking soda on top. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
6. Polish copper with lemon
Copper is a beautiful metal that can add a warm and elegant touch to your home. However, copper can also tarnish over time, giving it a dull and dark appearance. To restore its shine and beauty, you can use lemon and salt as a natural polish. Here’s how:
Cut a lemon in half and dip it in some coarse salt. Rub it over the tarnished copper, applying some pressure and making circular motions.
Rinse the copper with water and dry it with a soft cloth. Repeat the process if needed until the copper is shiny and bright.
7. Brighten whites with lemon
If you want to whiten your clothes without using bleach, lemon is a great alternative. Lemon juice can act as a natural bleaching agent that can brighten your whites and remove stains. Here are two ways you can use lemon to whiten your clothes:
Fill a large pot with water and add a few slices of lemon. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add your white clothes and let them soak for a few hours or overnight. Then, wash them as usual in your washing machine.
Add half a cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. This will help brighten your whites and leave them smelling fresh.
8. Remove stains with lemon
Lemon can also help you remove various types of stains from your clothes, such as berry, coffee, tea, and sweat stains. Here are some tips to use lemon as a stain remover:
For berry stains, soak the stained area in lemon juice for about an hour. Then, rinse with cold water and wash as usual.
For coffee or tea stains, rub some lemon juice on the stain and sprinkle some salt on top. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water and wash as usual.
For sweat stains, make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water and wash as usual.
9. Clean your cutting board with lemon
Cutting boards can harbor bacteria, odors, and stains from the foods you chop on them. To sanitize and deodorize your cutting board, lemon is your best friend. Here’s what you need to do:
Sprinkle some coarse salt on your cutting board and rub it with a lemon half, squeezing some juice as you go. The salt will act as a gentle abrasive and the lemon juice will disinfect and deodorize the board.
Rinse the board with hot water and dry it with a towel. You can also rub some mineral oil on the board to condition and protect it.
10. Clean your garbage disposal with lemon
Your garbage disposal can get smelly and clogged over time, which can affect its performance and create unpleasant odors in your kitchen. To clean and freshen up your garbage disposal, lemon is a simple and effective solution. Here are two ways you can use lemon to clean your garbage disposal:
Cut a lemon into small pieces and drop them into the garbage disposal. Turn on the disposal and run some cold water. The lemon pieces will help clean and sharpen the blades and leave a fresh scent behind.
Freeze some lemon juice in an ice cube tray. Drop a few lemon ice cubes into the garbage disposal and turn it on. The ice will help dislodge any debris and the lemon juice will clean and deodorize the disposal.
11. Clean your windows and mirrors with lemon
If you want to make your windows and mirrors sparkle and shine, lemon can help you achieve that. Lemon juice can cut through dirt, dust, and fingerprints, and leave a streak-free finish. Here’s how to make your own lemon window and mirror cleaner:
In a spray bottle, mix one cup of water, one cup of white vinegar, and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Shake well to combine.
Spray the solution on your windows and mirrors and wipe with a microfiber cloth or a sheet of newspaper. Enjoy your crystal clear glass surfaces!
12. Clean your wooden furniture with lemon
Lemon can also help you clean and polish your wooden furniture, making it look new and shiny. Lemon juice can remove dirt and stains, and lemon oil can nourish and protect the wood. Here’s how to make your own lemon furniture polish:
In a small bowl, mix one cup of olive oil, one-quarter cup of lemon juice, and a few drops of lemon essential oil. Stir well to combine.
Dip a soft cloth in the mixture and rub it on your wooden furniture, following the grain of the wood. Buff with a dry cloth to remove any excess oil and bring out the shine.
