Lemons are refreshing and full of handy nutrients. But not only are they great for garnishes, to put in drinks, or to juice – they also have plenty of very unexpected uses!
Here are 15 awesome hacks you can do with lemons.
1. Clothes Whitening
If you have pit stains on your shirts or stained yellow clothing, a lemon can fix that. Mix a half cup of squeezed lemon juice with a gallon (or 3.7 liters) of hot water.
Let the stained clothes soak for 30 minutes, then wash as usual!
2. Bathroom Cleaning
Cut up some lemon slices, coat in coarse salt, and rub on scum and stains left from soap, grime, or mud in your bathroom.
It’ll look clean and smell fresh!
3. Air Quality
Cut up a lemon into slices. Place these slices on a plate and put them on a table, beside your bed, or anywhere else you’d like better air.
The antioxidants allow you to breathe better, and the house will feel fresh!
4. Keep Food Fresh
Squeeze out the juice of a lemon over fresh, cut produce to stop oxidation.
This will stop the produce browning until the juice evaporates.
5. Hair Lightening
Squeeze lemon juice onto your hair, then head out into the sun.
Heat will help open up the cuticles of the hair, while the acidity of the lemon juice makes the hair lighter, faster.
6. Treat Hiccups
Bite into a lemon slice and you’ll find your hiccups gone!
The tart sourness of a lemon interrupts the body’s nerve endings, preventing hiccups from continuing.
7. Exfoliate
Mix lemon juice with honey, olive oil, and sugar to create an exfoliating rub.
Not only will it smooth out wrinkles, but it will also cleanse and brighten skin.
8. Keep Bugs Away
The scent of citrus isn’t a favorite of most creepy crawlies. Leave lemon peels in areas of your home that mosquitoes and ants tend to get in through or hang out in.
You can also spray lemon juice – freshly squeezed – in cracks in the walls, floor, and windows.
9. Odor Removal
Place half a lemon with a tablespoon of baking soda into your home’s garbage disposal to have stench removed.
Or, get an old lemon and set it next to a smelly dish sponge to disinfect it!
10. Dust Removal
Using a bare lemon peel, rub out dirty or dusty areas around your house.
They easily lift dust and also leave a fresh scent behind.
11. Copper Polishing
Instead of using chemical cleaners, mix lemon juice with some table salt (coarse) and use this to clean your copper.
This solution makes them shiny and stops rusting.
12. Stain Removal
Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto a clean, old toothbrush. Use this to rub at bad stains in clothes or spots in furniture.
Even permanent marker stains stand no chance!
13. Cutting Board Cleaning
Get rid of stains and strong food smells with a slice of lemon. Just dip the slice in coarse salt, then use the slice to rub at the board.
Leave for between 10 and 20 minutes, then wash off.
14. Appliance Cleaning
To get rid of microwave stains, squeeze lemon juice into a microwave-safe cup of water. Place into the device and turn on, heating for five minutes.
Stains will then be loose enough to wipe off. For dishwashers, dump a lemon peel on the top rack and enjoy fresher, cleaner dishes!
15. Health Improvement
Hot lemon water detoxifies the body, helps your digestive system, and provides a needed energy boost!
It can even help your immune system. Drink a glass of this twice or thrice daily!
