Discover the Many Clever Uses of Lemon Juice Around Your Home

The Many Uses of Lemon Juice

Lemons are one of the most versatile fruits around. Known primarily for their bright, tart flavor, lemons and lemon juice have dozens of practical uses beyond cooking and baking. The acidic nature of lemons makes them an effective cleaning agent, while the vitamin C and antioxidants provide health benefits. Read on to discover some of the many clever ways to use the juice of just one lemon.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Lemons are a natural disinfectant. The citric acid in lemon juice kills bacteria, mold, and germs. Lemon juice can be used to clean and deodorize many surfaces in your home.

• Clean your wooden cutting boards by rubbing them with half a lemon. Rinse and allow to dry.
• Remove stains and disinfect marble countertops by mixing lemon juice with baking soda and scrubbing into the marble. Rinse and dry.
• Deodorize your garbage disposal by pouring half a cup of lemon juice down the drain followed by cold water. Run the disposal for a minute.
• Clean and deodorize your microwave by mixing equal parts lemon juice and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes allowing the steam to condense on the sides. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe down the microwave interior with a cloth.
• Remove soap scum from tile and plastic shower curtains by spraying full-strength lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

Cooking and Baking

The acidic juice of a lemon can do wonders for your cooking and baking. Adding brightness and enhancing other flavors, lemon juice is a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.

• Make buttermilk for recipes by mixing 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 cup milk. Allow to sit 5 minutes before using.
• Tenderize meat by piercing it all over with a fork and rubbing lemon juice directly onto the surface. Let sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• Brighten up a pasta dish by tossing hot pasta with olive oil, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
• Balance flavors when cooking fish by squeezing lemon juice onto fillets before baking or sauteing.
• Prevent sliced apples and pears from browning by brushing cut surfaces with lemon juice.
• Add depth of flavor to desserts like cakes, cookies, and pies by replacing some of the liquid called for with fresh lemon juice.
• Make lemonade and lemon water by mixing freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and sweetening with sugar or honey if desired.

Around the House

Lemons have many clever uses unrelated to eating and drinking. Their acidic and antimicrobial nature makes them handy to have around the house.

• Clean and shine brass and copper items by rubbing with half a lemon dipped in salt. Rinse and pat dry.
• Refresh the scent of wooden furniture by mixing lemon oil with a small amount of lemon juice and rubbing into the wood. Let dry and buff.
• Clean soap scum from your showerhead by removing the head and soaking in a bowl with 1/2 cup lemon juice mixed with 1 cup water. Rinse and reattach.
• Deodorize trash cans by sprinkling baking soda in the bottom followed by the juice of two lemons. Let fizz and bubble for 10 minutes before rinsing.
• Remove sticker residue from glass and plastic by rubbing with straight lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes and wipe clean.
• Clean greasy messes on fabrics like wool and silk by dabbing straight lemon juice onto the spot. Rinse by dabbing with cool water.

Laundry

The bleaching properties of lemon make it a powerful laundry aid. Lemons can help whiten, brighten, deodorize, and disinfect your laundry.

• Whitens whites by adding 1/2 cup lemon juice to your regular detergent.
• Brightens colors by adding 2 tablespoons lemon juice to the rinse cycle.
• Removes perspiration and other body odors from fabrics by mixing 1 cup lemon juice with 1 cup water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist over fabric stains before washing.
• Disinfects laundry hampers and washing machines by mixing 1 cup lemon juice with 1 cup vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray surface and let sit 5 minutes before wiping clean with a cloth.
• Removes mildew smells from towels and sheets by soaking in cold water with 1/2 cup lemon juice for 30 minutes prior to washing.

Beauty and Health

With their high vitamin C content and antioxidant powers, lemons offer a variety of beauty and health benefits. Lemons can improve skin and hair, aid in weight loss, and help cleanse the body.

• Aids digestion by drinking a glass of warm water with fresh lemon juice first thing in the morning.
• Boosts immune system by mixing lemon juice with warm water and honey to make lemon tea.
• Clears up acne and exfoliates skin by applying fresh lemon juice to the face with a cotton ball and rinsing after 5 minutes.
• Lightens age spots by rubbing lemon wedges directly on the spot twice a day, letting the juice dry.
• Highlights hair naturally by mixing 1/4 cup lemon juice in 2 cups water. Pour over clean, damp hair and sit in the sun for up to 1 hour before rinsing.
• Soothes sunburn pain by soaking a cotton cloth in straight lemon juice and applying to the skin.
• Support weight loss by drinking lemon water before meals - the pectin fiber helps you feel full.

In the Garden

The acidic and antimicrobial properties of lemons come in handy in the garden as well. Lemons can be used as insect repellents, cleaning agents, and fertilizer for your plants.

• Clean gardening tools by mixing 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts cooking oil and wiping down all your gardening tools.
• Kill aphids, mites, and other common plant pests by mixing 1 part lemon juice with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Mist leaves until dripping wet.
• Boost productivity of acid-loving plants like lettuces, berries, azaleas and gardenias by mixing 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 gallon of water and using this solution to water plants.
• Prevent cut avocados and other produce from browning by spraying or brushing with lemon juice.
• Repel ants and cats from gardens by placing halved lemons peel side down along affected areas.

Conclusion

With their bright acidic flavor and high vitamin C content, lemons have dozens of uses beyond basic cooking. Lemons can clean, deodorize, disinfect, brighten laundry, and aid in beauty and health regimens. They help preserve other foods and can improve the productivity of plants. With just the juice of one lemon you unlock a world of practical applications. Keep lemons stocked in your kitchen, and you'll find more and more clever uses for this common fruit.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.