10 Uses for Lemons
Have you ever taken a bite out of a lemon? I have – Sour! Some of my kids eat them like oranges – not me. I do like them squeezed over seafood and in several dishes but I don’t like them straight up!
While looking for ways to clean without chemicals, I was tickled at some of the uses for lemons other than eating. These little things are almost good for just about anything.
The following is a list of ways we found to use lemons as something other than a food:
- Freshen your garbage disposal. All that garbage in there eventually begins to smell like, well, garbage. If you cut up a whole lemon into chunks and throw it down there it will clean and freshen your disposal naturally, without any damage to the disposal and without chemicals. Also see my article on How to Clean Your Garbage Disposer.
- Clean your microwave. In a microwave safe mug or bowl, place a cut up lemon and 8 ounces of water. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Open the microwave and wipe all the stuck on gunk off the walls effortlessly. Your microwave will smell great as well! (Note: use caution – the water is HOT!)
- Remove mold from your bathroom and kitchen. If you have moldy tiles, mix a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub on the grout. It takes a few minutes, but works as well as a tile cleaner you bought in the store. It’s also much safer, especially if you have little ones that want to “help”! (read as – great chore for little one that needs time to think about their behavior)
- Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to a humidifier. It will make your home smell wonderful! Also you can simmer on stove.
- Mix 2 parts olive oil with one part lemon juice and you have a fantastic furniture polish. It’s also edible, so if you have animals that like to chew furniture, it won’t hurt them. (Note: don’t get on the floor or you will have skating rink at your house!)
- Cut a lemon in half and rub some salt into your copper. Rinse well, and the piece will look as good as new! (Note: They say ketchup will accomplish the same thing, but I haven’t tried it yet)
- Cut a lemon in half cross-ways, take out the pieces, and fill with vegetable oil. Light the middle “wick” where the membranes meet, and you have an instant delicious smelling candle! This will also make a great science experiment!
- Exfoliate with lemons. Lemon juice and sugar made into a paste makes a phenomenal body scrub. The acids in the citrus combine with the scrubbing properties of the sugar to leave your skin velvety soft….and you smell like a lemon! Note: avoid getting in or too near your eyes!
- Freshen your car. If your car is a little stinky, put a bowl of lemon peels under your seat for 24 hours. It will absorb the odors in the car and give it a fresh scent. Be sure to remember this is a quick fix… don’t leave them there! ~ just sayin….
- Soak your fingernails in a mixture of lemon juice and water. It will whiten your nail tips and make them easy to clean. This is a great tip for those of use that forget our gloves when messing in the plants.
What about you? Do you have any non traditional uses for lemons? Share yours with us below. I would love to try them.
Never heard of the candle idea but very creative. Lemons are great at ridding odors and polishing. I’m going to have to give the candle a try.
nice review
Sheryl, thank you for this very helpful list of what you can do with lemons. On the occasion of getting a little in the bathroom, I have always used bleach to get it out. I will now use lemon and salt to do the job. It is so much healthier.