Top 15 Creative Uses For Lemons

 

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!

Dust Your Home

You can also use lemon juice to dust your home naturally. Combine lemon essential oil with olive or almond oil, then add in a teaspoon of baking soda and mix well until you have created an all-purpose solution that is great for cleaning numerous surfaces! Transfer into a spray bottle and use as needed throughout the house – this will keep it smelling fresh while keeping chemicals off countertops and floors. You can also try adding other ingredients such as lavender, rosemary, or peppermint if desired.

Whiten Clothes

You can use lemon juice to remove stains and whiten clothes naturally. Try adding a cup of lemon juice with your regular wash load for whiter whites, brighter colors, and more! To help prevent yellowing from forming over time, add half a cup of vinegar at the same time or switch up laundry detergent brands if you are unhappy with the color-cleaning results you have seen lately.

Clean Your Barbeque Grill

You can use lemon juice to clean your barbeque grill naturally – it will help remove leftover food bits while neutralizing odors simultaneously! If your grill looks brand new after using lemons, then that’s even better! This is a great way to make sure you are not ingesting chemicals or artificial ingredients when cooking outside, plus cleanup is quick and easy with just lemon juice and salt (or baking soda) afterward.

Remove Permanent Marker Stains

You can use lemon juice to remove permanent marker stains, as well! Just soak the stained area with lemon juice for about 15 minutes (it may take longer depending on how large the stain is), then scrub off using a toothbrush or other small brush. If you have trouble removing it initially, try adding baking soda and letting that sit overnight before scrubbing again in the morning. This combination works wonders when it comes to tough ink stains!

Keep Insects Away

You can use lemons to keep insects away, giving you a great way to get rid of ants outside without using harmful chemicals. Try mixing lemon juice with water in equal parts and spraying the mixture around your home’s foundation (including window sills) if ants tend to come inside frequently! This is also effective for killing aphids on trees and roses – add honey or sugar into this solution when spraying and watch as it works like magic!

Wash Vegetables

To clean your fresh fruits and vegetables, use lemon juice. Put one tablespoon of lemon juice in a spray bottle with 8 ounces of water. To wash fresh fruits and vegetables, spray them lightly, leave them for a few minutes to absorb the water, then rinse thoroughly with cold water.

Keep Pests Out Of Your Garden

You can also use lemon juice to keep pests out of your garden. To make a natural pesticide, mix in equal parts water and dish soap with lemon juice and spray around plants (including the base). You will want to reapply every few days until you no longer see insects on your plants. This is an excellent alternative for those who do not like using chemicals when growing their veggies or fruits!

Remove Scratches From Wood Furniture

Pour lemon juice into a glass bowl, then add salt at approximately ½ cup per tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir well to dissolve completely, then rub this mixture onto the scratches using a soft cloth. Allow it to sit overnight, then buff off using a clean cloth in the morning.

Conclusion

Lemons are a small yet powerful fruit that you can use for numerous purposes around the home. From cleaning your barbeque grill to whitening clothes and removing permanent marker stains – lemons really do have it all! These are just some ways you can use lemons around your home, so be sure to experiment with different uses for yourself!