Lemons are one of the most versatile fruits around. Not only are they delicious in recipes, but they also have some amazing cleaning properties. In this blog post, we will discuss loads of genius lemon hacks for cleaning your home.
Lemons can be used to clean everything from stainless steel appliances to tile floors. They are also a great way to get rid of bad smells in your home.
With everyone’s efforts to become more eco-friendly and strive towards a zero waste lifestyle, lemons just may be your secret ingredient to making life simpler while avoiding potentially toxic chemicals and overpriced gadgets.
Easy Ways to Clean with Lemon
Lemons are amazing cleaning tools. Not only do they smell great, but they also have natural antibacterial and bleaching properties.
Here are a few clever ways to use lemons to clean your home:
Disinfect Cutting Boards
To clean your cutting boards, simply rub them down with a halved lemon. The acid in the lemon can help to remove any lingering bacteria.
Laundry Brightener
Need to brighten up your linens? Soak them in a solution of lemon juice and water overnight, then wash as usual. The lemon will help to loosen any stains and brighten the fabric.
You can also soak your delicates in lemon juice and baking soda for half an hour before washing as a natural alternative to harsh chlorine bleach.
Unclog Drains
Got a clogged drain? Pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup lemon juice. Let it sit for an hour before rinsing with a pot of boiling hot water. The acid in the lemon will help to break down any build-up in the pipes.
Window and Mirror Cleaner
Lemons are also great for cleaning windows and mirrors. Just mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle, then use it to clean glass surfaces. The lemon juice will cut through any grime or streaks, leaving your windows sparkling clean.
Stainless Steel
Use lemon juice to clean stainless steel appliances. Simply apply the lemon juice to a cloth and wipe down your appliances. The lemon juice will remove any fingerprints or smudges and leave your appliances looking shiny and new.
Tile Floor Cleaner
Mix lemon juice with water to create a natural tile floor cleaner. This mixture will not only clean your floors, but it will also leave them smelling fresh and lemony.
Garbage Disposal Freshener
Lemons can be used to freshen up your garbage disposal. Simply cut a lemon in half and run it through your disposal for 30 seconds. The lemon will help to remove any bad smells and residue from your disposal.
Garbage Can Deodorizer
Got a smelly garbage can? Place a lemon peel at the bottom of the can to help absorb any bad odors. Replace every couple of weeks for best results.
Air Freshener
Fill a spray bottle with lemon juice and water to use as a natural air freshener.
Furniture Polish
Make your own lemon furniture polish by mixing 1 cup olive oil and ½ a cup of lemon juice in a bowl or container. Apply the mixture to wood surfaces with a soft cloth and buff until shine. Be sure to clean a test spot first just in case!
A Natural Pesticide
Lemons can also be used as a natural pesticide against ants. Simply put some lemon juice in a spray bottle and apply it to areas where ants might come in like windowsills and thresholds.
Clean Produce
You can use lemons, which are a natural disinfectant, to help clean pesticide residue from the skins of your fruits and veggies. Simply fill a bowl with water and lemon juice, then let your produce soak for about 15 minutes. Rinse with clean water and enjoy!
DIY Humidifier Cleaner
Lemon juice and water can be used as a natural humidifier cleaner. Just mix 3 to 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice into your humidifier’s water reservoir before running. Not only will it help to clean the humidifier, but it will also add a pleasant lemon scent to the air.
Treat Laundry Stains
To treat laundry stains, simply rub equal parts lemon juice and water mixture into the stain and then wash as usual. The lemon juice will help to break down the stain and brighten your clothes. You can also soak your clothes in a mixture of lemon juice and water for half an hour before washing to pre-treat any stubborn stains.
Revive Wilting Produce
Lemons can help to revive wilting produce. Simply fill a bowl with lemon juice and water, then submerge your produce in the mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes. The lemon juice will help to rehydrate the produce and make it last longer. This works great on lettuce!
Refrigerator Freshener
Lemons can also be used to freshen up your refrigerator. Simply cut a lemon in half and place it on a plate in the fridge. The lemon will help to absorb any bad smells and leave your fridge smelling fresh and lemony. If you only have lemon juice, you can soak a sponge in it and place that on a plate instead.
Room Freshener
Don’t invest in pricey deodorizers for your bathroom. Instead, cut a lemon in half and place it on a small plate or saucer. Leave it out overnight to help freshen the room and absorb any bad smells.
Eliminate Odors from Hands
Lemons are great for eliminating odors from your hands. Simply rub lemon juice on your hands, then rinse with water. The lemon juice will help to remove any strong smells like garlic or onion from your hands.
Remove Gum from Clothes
If you have gum in your clothes, lemon juice can help to remove it. Simply apply lemon juice to the gummed-up area and let it sit for a few minutes. The lemon juice will break down the gum and make it easier to scrape off with a blunt object.
General Household Cleaner
You can make an all-purpose general cleaner for your kitchen and bathroom by combining equal parts lemon juice and water in a reusable glass spray bottle. Lemons are a natural disinfectant and your house will smell fresh for spring! (Note: do not use on wood. )
Weeds Be Gone
Fact: Lemons contain high amounts of citric acid. This is perfect for killing off unwanted weeds. Make a homemade weed killer by just adding fresh lemon juice to a spray bottle and have at it on those annoying weeds in your garden. Within one or two days, they should shrivel and die.
How do You Make Lemons Last Longer?
To make lemons last longer, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Some even say if you scrub the outsides and then store them immersed in water in the fridge, they last almost a month!
These are just a handful of the wonderful ways you can make your life greener with just a few clever lemon hacks for cleaning. What are some of your best DIY Lemon Hack tips? Share them in the comments below.
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