Lemons are a wonderful, refreshing, tasty gift from nature. Not only can they be made into lemonade and used as an addition to various foods, but they are also perfect to use around the house. Cleaning, refreshing, and scrubbing can be made much easier by using lemons.
You have probably heard that lemons are a common ingredient in green cleaning. However, you probably don’t know how many uses lemons do have, in fact. In this article, we will show you some of the best ones. Keep reading to find out what they are and next time you find yourself with a lot of lemons, try them out.
1. Get rid of rust on brass – Brass, like all other metals, does tarnish over time. If you are dealing with tarnished brass, however, you do not need to turn to toxic or harsh chemicals. All you have to do is rub your brass item with a little bit of lemon juice. That will restore its beautiful shine and if done regularly, will maintain it in good condition for longer. You should not use this method if the item you are cleaning is brass-plated and not solid brass. In such cases, stick to soap and water.
2. Polish chrome – Limescale is a common occurrence in every household. Even if the area you live in does not have hard water, you will still experience some mineral deposits that will leave streaks and stains on your items, sometimes even causing build-up. If you have chrome faucets or items that have such build-up, you can use the sour power of lemon to get rid of it. In no time, your kitchen and bathroom will be spotless and shiny.
3. Repel insects when outside – If you are painting outside and bothered by various insects, you don’t have to wear a beekeeper’s suit in order to prevent them from biting you. All you have to do is squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into your can of paint. Insects hate the zesty smell and that will cause them to steer clear of your project.
4. Get rid of speckles on glass – If you have been painting and got some specks on your windows or other glass surfaces, worry not. Simply coat the stained surface of the glass with hot lemon juice. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrape away the grime carefully. You will receive streak-free results.
5. Polish old furniture – If you have some old wooden furniture, do not let it look old and dull. You can save it from the signs of age by using a 2:1 solution of olive oil and lemon juice. Rub your wooden furniture regularly and you will manage to restore its neat looks and maintain it in good condition for longer
6. Cleaning the drains at home – If any drain at home is clogged or smells bad, use the citrus power of lemons to fix it. Pour 2 cups of lemon juice and ½ cup of baking soda down your drain. Finish by pouring some hot/boiling water. That will get your pipes going once again.
7. Getting rid of blood stains from clothing – If you cut yourself while working, just a few drops of blood can turn your garment into a mess. Grab a few lemons and scrub away the blood stains. Then wash your clothing as usual.
8. Whiten your whites – If your cotton or linen white clothes are looking dull and worn out, use lemon juice to brighten them up. Combine ½ cup of lemon juice with 4 litres of hot water in a bucket, then add your whites to the mix. Let them sit in the solution overnight, then place the clothes, along with the lemony mix in the washing machine. Add your laundry detergent, then run the usual cycle. Try this method and get rid of bleach.
9. Clean your microwave – If your microwave is smelly and greasy, it probably needs a good cleaning. Simply fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add a few lemon edges to it. Nuke at high temperature for 10 minutes, then let the bowl of mixture sit for 10 minutes. The steam and grease-cutting properties of lemon juice will help dissolve the grime that has built up on the inside of your microwave. You will be able to wipe everything away with ease.
10. Clean cutting boards – Disinfect your cutting boards with lemon. Lemon juice will help disinfect cutting boards that have been used for cutting fish or meat. Wash the board well, then use half a lemon to thoroughly rub it. That will kill bacteria and microbes.
11. Freshen up your rubbish bin – If the rubbish bin in your kitchen developed an unpleasant odour, do not worry. Wash your bin with hot water and soap, then let it dry. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda at the bottom of it and add a few lemon peels.