9 Incredible Things You Never Knew You Could Do With Lemons

1. Keep Fruits and Vegetables Fresh

Rubbing lemon juice over exposed cut surfaces of fruits and veggies can keep them fresh for longer by preventing browning. The acid in lemon juice inhibits the enzyme action that causes browning and oxidation. Simply squeeze some lemon juice and brush over apple slices, avocado halves or potato dices to prolong their freshness.

Tips to use lemons as produce preservative

- Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice on fruit and veggie cuts right away to maximize benefits.

- Use a pastry brush to completely coat all cut surfaces with lemon juice.

- Let treated produce sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing if consuming raw.

- Store treated produce in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

2. Sanitize Cutting Boards

The antibacterial properties of lemons can be used to sanitize and disinfect wooden cutting boards. Simply rub half a lemon over all surfaces of the board. The lemon juice kills germs and bacteria and eliminates odors. Rinse after a few minutes and allow to air dry. Lemon sanitizes without the harshness of bleach or vinegar.

Effective cutting board sanitizing tips

- Use a cut lemon half to rub over the entire board surface.

- Let the lemon juice sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing.

- Scrub any stained areas with coarse salt and lemon.

- Sanitize boards after working with meat, fish or poultry.

- Air dry the board completely before next use.

3. Soften Brown Sugar

Lemons can rescue hardened brown sugar. Place an open lemon or lemon slices in an airtight container with the clumped brown sugar overnight. The acid and moisture from lemons will gradually soften the sugar to its original texture. A quick way is to microwave lemon with the brown sugar briefly.

Different ways to use lemons for sugar softening

- Add lemon slices or lemon peel to the sugar container overnight.

- Microwave lemon pieces with the sugar for 10-20 seconds.

- Mix in some fresh lemon juice and allow to sit 1-2 hours.

- Grate a bit of lemon zest into the hardened sugar as moisture.

- For immediate use, rub hardened sugar granules against a lemon wedge.

4. Clean and Whiten Nails

Lemon is a natural bleaching agent. Rubbing lemon juice on your nails can whiten yellow, stained nails and give them a natural shine. The citric acid also helps remove dirt and oil buildup on nails. Simply apply fresh lemon juice daily on nails with a cotton swab and rinse after a few minutes.

How to use lemon for cleaner, whiter nails

- Soak nails in undiluted lemon juice for 10-15 minutes.

- Use a cotton swab dipped in lemon juice to scrub nails.

- Mix lemon juice with baking soda or sea salt for a nail scrub.

- Rinse thoroughly and moisturize cuticles with coconut oil.

- Repeat every couple of days for best results.

5. Aid Laundry Whitening

For brighter, whiter laundry, add lemons to your wash. The citric acid in lemons helps remove stains and enhances fabric brightness. Simply add 12 to 1 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle. For heavily stained items, soak in diluted lemon juice before washing. Lemon whitens laundry without harsh bleach.

Effective ways to whiten laundry with lemon

- Add fresh lemon juice to the detergent compartment.

- For soaking, dilute lemon juice in water 1:1 ratio.

- For rust stains, rub lemon juice directly and let sit 30 minutes before washing.

- Avoid using lemon on silk or wool that may get damaged.

- Check for colorfastness when using lemon juice.

6. Make Peeling Boiled Eggs Easy

After hard boiling eggs, soaking them briefly in ice water with lemon juice helps the shells slip off easily when peeling. The acid in the lemon slightly softens and loosens the egg white attached to the shell so peeling can be done neatly and quickly with no frustration!

Tips for peeling hard boiled eggs with lemons

- Add 2-3 tbsp fresh lemon juice to ice water.

- Place hot boiled eggs in lemon ice bath for 5-10 minutes.

- Gently tap and roll egg on counter before peeling.

- Use a spoon to slide under loosened shell and peel.

- Rinse off any shell fragments under cool water.

7. Clean and Polish Brass

To make dull, tarnished brass objects look shiny and new, use lemon juice. The citric acid cuts through built up grime and brings back the original brilliance of brass items. Squeeze lemon juice on a soft cloth. Rub gently over brass surface in circular motions. Rinse with water and dry well with a soft towel for maximum shine.

Clean brass effectively with lemon

- Spot test lemon juice on a small area first to check for damage.

- Apply lemon juice and allow to sit for a few minutes before rubbing.

- Use a soft cotton cloth and minimal pressure when rubbing.

- Avoid immersing brass pieces directly in lemon juice.

- Rinse and dry well after cleaning.

8. Freshen Breath

Lemon juice can temporarily freshen bad breath or help remove odor causing germs. The citric acid eliminates bacteria and gives a burst of freshness. Mix 1 tsp lemon juice with 1 cup water and swish around your mouth. You can also chew parsley or fennel seeds after squeezing some lemon juice on them to freshen breath.

Use fresh lemons to neutralize bad breath

- Drink a glass of lemon water first thing in morning.

- Swish diluted lemon juice around mouth for 30 seconds before spitting.

- Chew lemon wedges to stimulate saliva production.

- Use lemon essential oil in water as a mouthwash.

9. Remove Fruit and Berry Stains

Berries and other fruits can leave annoying stains on clothes, tablecloths and sheets. Pretreat these stubborn stains by rubbing undiluted lemon juice directly on the stain. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before washing in the machine cycle. The natural acid in lemons breaks down and removes plant-based stains without harsh chemicals.

Eliminate fruit stains with lemon juice

- Apply fresh lemon juice on the stain and let soak for 10 minutes.

- For old stains, leave lemon juice on for 30 minutes before washing.

- Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to gently scrub stain.

- Check care label instructions before using lemon juice.

- Launder as normal after pretreatment.

Conclusion

Lemons are extremely handy for a wide variety of purposes beyond cooking. Their acidic juice and fragrant peel can be used in innovative ways for cleaning, freshening, whitening and more. Keep lemons stocked to preserve produce freshness, tidy up cutting boards, salvage hardened brown sugar and make laundry brighter. With their potent antibacterial and bleaching abilities, lemons are a natural, chemical-free way to solve many problems!

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.