Lemons are usually a favorite in the kitchen when you are cooking fish or using it in a marinade, but did you know that lemons are versatile outside of cooking? From cleaning to beauty secrets, lemons are great for so many things around your home. Check out these 15 awesome uses for lemons that you need to try!
Removes Buildup
Over time, minerals can cause buildup in your kitchen appliances like your coffee maker or tea kettle. This buildup can make your appliances look dirty, but it can also make your drinks taste funny. To remove this buildup, use lemons! Add a half cup of lemon juice and boiling water to your coffee maker or tea kettle. Turn on the appliance so that it runs a normal heating cycle. Once that is done, repeat the cycle with regular water to wash it out.
Nail Stain Removal
If you wear a lot of nail polish or work with products that stain your nails, lemons can help you remove those stains. Soak a cotton ball or a cotton pad with fresh lemon juice and apply it to your nails. Applying the lemon juice to your nail should remove the stains.
Relief from Headaches
Headaches can put a damper on your day, but luckily lemons can help. Add some fresh lemon juice to hot tea and feel your headache melt away.
All-Purpose Cleaner
If you are looking for a gentler way to clean your home, lemons can help. Make an all-purpose cleaner by mixing the juice of 1 lemon into a spray bottle with equal part water and vinegar.
Stain Removal
Do you have stained dishes or containers? Lemons can help! Squeeze two lemons into a sink full of boiling water. Carefully mix the lemon juice with the boiling water and place your stained dishes or containers in the mixture. Let them sit for 3-4 hours while the lemon works its magic. Wash your dishes as usually after they are done soaking.
Deodorizer
Lemons are a great way to help deodorizer some hard to clean kitchen appliances like a garbage disposal. Periodically, put leftover lemons or lemon peels down your garbage disposal. Putting lemons in your garbage disposal will help with the odor and cut down on the grease buildup in your garbage disposal.
Removes Laundry Stains
Laundry stains can be a pain to remove and can ruin some of your favorite clothes. Lemons can come to the rescue! There are several ways to remove stains from your laundry with lemons. You can soak your stained laundry in half a cup of lemon juice mixed with water until it is gone. Once it is gone, wash your laundry as usual. For tougher stains, mix equal parts lemon juice, baking soda, and water and work it into the stain using a toothbrush.
Keeps Whites Bright
Lemons are a great way to remove laundry stains, and they can even help keep your whites bright! Add a cup of lemon juice to your laundry when you are washing white to keep them bright. If you have some whites that need more whitening, add large slices of lemon to boiling water and let your laundry soak in the water overnight before washing them.
Exfoliator
Lemon can be a great natural exfoliator and can leave your skin looking refreshed and smooth. Mix the lemon juice and baking soda into a paste and apply it to the areas of your body you want to exfoliate. Once you are done, rinse off the paste and add your favorite oil or moisturizer.
Lightens Your Hair
If you want a lighter look for your hair, but don’t want the harsh chemicals of hair dye, try using lemons. Mix warm water and a few teaspoons fresh lemon juice and let it soak in your hair for about 15 minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo, and enjoy your lighter hair!
Air Freshener
Lemons smell great, and you can use them as air fresheners in your house. To create your air freshener, cut up some lemons, and simmer them in water for an hour. This aroma will freshen your home and make it smell great.
Window and Glass Cleaner
Lemons can give you not only an all-purpose cleaner but also a window and glass cleaner! Mix one cup of water and three tablespoons of lemon juice into a squirt bottle for sparkling clean windows and glass.
Polish
Are you looking for a natural polish? Lemons are your answer. For furniture polish, mix lemons and olive oil. If you are looking to brighten your cooper, try mixing lemon juice with baking soda.
Insect Repellant
Bugs and insects in your home can be very annoying. Most repellant products contain harsh chemicals and smell bad. However, lemons repel bugs and insects, and they smell great in your home! Squirt lemon juice or leave fresh lemon peels around your doors and on your window seals to keep bugs out!
Poison Ivy Relief
Having a reaction to poison ivy is no fun. For some natural relief from the itching, apply some lemon juice to your itchy, irritated skin.
