Lemons are an excellent fruit that you can use for everything from cooking to cleaning. They come into their own in the kitchen, where you can use them for savory dishes and sweet treats alike. Whether in the kitchen or around the home, lemons have many practical applications that can help you do more with less! Here are fifteen creative ways to use this versatile citrus fruit.
Clean Your Microwave
Slice lemons, toss them in a bowl of water, then microwave the bowl for five to ten minutes. The steam from the water will soften any stuck-on food, and the lemon juice will help cut through persistent grime. You can also use vinegar and water or lemon juice and warm water.
Clean Your Coffee Maker
Fill your coffee pot with equal parts of hot water and fresh lemon juice (about 50/50). Run it through the machine as you would typically do to make a batch of coffee. The citric acid in lemons can help dissolve buildup from mineral deposits that accumulate over time. Simply repeating this process every few weeks will keep your machine clean and ready for use! This method also works well on other appliances such as dishwashers.
Clean Cutting Boards
You can use half a lemon to clean and sanitize wooden cutting boards. Slice the fruit in half, sprinkle about a tablespoon of salt onto one side, then scrub hard with the cut surface to remove stubborn stains and smells from your board. This will also disinfect your cutting board at the same time! (Do not do this on wood treated with oils or varnishes.)
Remove Stains
You can use lemon juice to remove stains from clothes. Just rub some fresh lemon juice directly onto the stain, let it sit for about an hour, then launder as usual in cold water. The acidity will help break down any iron oxide deposits and lift them off of your fabric! You can also remove wax buildup by rubbing a slice of lemon over the area until all traces are gone (then wash like usual).
Clean Your Sink
Another excellent cleaning hack is to use lemon juice as a degreaser for your sink. Just sprinkle baking soda onto the surface of your stainless steel or porcelain sink, then pour on equal parts hot water and lemon juice (about 50/50). Let it sit for about ten minutes before scrubbing with a brush – rinse thoroughly after!
Clean Garbage Disposal
Lemons have a citrus scent that can help neutralize odors so that you can enjoy fresh-smelling garbage disposals all the time! Cut a lemon in half, place it at the back of your disposal under cold running water for 15 seconds, then turn on the machine. You should see some suds coming out as well – this is a bonus because getting rid of grease will make any drain cleaner more effective! Add baking soda or ice cubes with vinegar instead if lemons are unavailable.
Reduce Wrinkles
The Vitamin C in lemons can help you to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines naturally. Just slice a lemon in half, then gently rub the surface over your skin where you want to reduce signs of aging or wrinkling. Leave on for at least 20 minutes before washing off thoroughly with cold water – this will provide an added boost by tightening pores as well!