When life gives you lemons, don't just make lemonadeāclean with them!š Lemons are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and inexpensive.š«§ Using lemons for cleaning helps reduce exposure to harsh chemicals and contributes to a more sustainable cleaning routine.š§½
So here are 10 surprising things you can clean around your home with a lemon!!š
1. Cutting BoardsšŖ
Your cutting board, especially wooden ones, can harbor bacteria and food particles over time.š¦ Cleaning it with a lemon not only sanitizes the surface but also removes stains and odors.š
How to do it: Sprinkle coarse salt on the board, cut a lemon in half, and scrub the surface with the lemon, squeezing out the juice as you go.š Rinse with warm water and let it air dry.šØ
2. Microwaveš„
Microwaves can get greasy and smelly, but lemons can help break down those stubborn stains and odors easily!!š¤© It helps loosen the gunk that might be stuck to the side of the microwave as well!
How to do it: Place a bowl of water with lemon slices inside the microwave and heat it on high for 3-5 minutes.ā²ļø The steam loosens grime, making it easy to wipe clean with a cloth!!šŖ
3. Shower Headsšæ
Over time, showerheads can become clogged with mineral deposits.š„“ Lemons can break down limescale and hard water stains and leave your showerhead gleaming.āØ
How to do it: Soak a cloth in lemon juice and wrap it around the showerheadš§». Let it sit for about an hour, then scrub the nozzles with an old toothbrush and rinse with water.šŖ„
4. Faucet Fixturesš°
In the same way lemon juice can clean shower heads, it can also cut through calcium buildup and hard water stains on your faucets, restoring their shine!šŖ©
How to do it: Rub a lemon half directly on the fixtures or soak a cloth in lemon juice and wrap it around the faucets!š After about 10 minutes, wipe it off with a damp cloth for sparkling results.ā²ļø
5. Stovetopsš³
Stovetops gets pretty greasy and gross.š„“ Lemons can flawlessly remove this grease and gunk for a fresh, sparkling stove top!!š¤©
How to do it: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over grease spots, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a sponge.š§½ You can also add a sprinkle of baking soda for extra scrubbing powerā¼ļø
6. Garbage Disposalsšļø
Garbage disposals can get stinky fast, but lemons have a lovely citrus scent that will clear out those gross odors quickly!!š„°
How to do it: Toss a few lemon peels into your garbage disposal, turn it on, and let the natural oils from the lemon deodorize and clean the blades.ššŖ You can also use oranges or limes peels as well for the same effect!š
7. Windows and MirrorsšŖ
Forget store-bought glass cleaners; lemons can leave your windows streak-free and shiny without all the toxic chemicals!!š§Ŗ
How to do it: Mix the juice of one lemon with two cups of water in a spray bottle.š§“ Spray the solution on the glass and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth for a gleaming finish.āØ
8. Toilet Bowlsš½
Lemon's acidity can cut through nasty, stuck on stains and hard water buildup in your toilet bowl!! It also leaves your loo smelling freshš
How to do it: Pour half a cup of lemon juice into the bowl, let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush.šŖ„ For stubborn stains, mix the lemon juice with baking soda for extra power.šŖ
9. Refrigeratorāļø
Lemons can act as a natural deodorizer and will remove those stale food odors from your refridgerator!!š¤©
How to do it: Dip a sponge in lemon juice and wipe down the shelves and drawers inside the fridgeš§½. (Just always ensure you are going in with a wet cloth to rinse it off so your walls aren't stickyā¼ļø). Or you can also leave half a lemon in the fridge to absorb odors.š
10. Stainless Steel Appliances
Lemons can make your stainless steel appliances shine without leaving streaks!!š¤Æ
How to do it: Dip a cloth in lemon juice and wipe down your stainless steel fridge, oven, dishwasher or any pots and pans!š½ļø Buff with a dry cloth for a polished finish.āØ
A Few Tips:
Use fresh lemons: While bottled lemon juice works, fresh lemons are more effective and have a stronger, natural scent.š
Rinse thoroughly: After cleaning, make sure to rinse surfaces with water to avoid any sticky residue.š§
Test surfaces: Lemons are acidic, so always test on a small area of surfaces like granite or marble to avoid damage.š”ļø
Incorporating lemons into your cleaning routine is a win-win: your home will be sparkling, and the fresh citrus scent will leave everything smelling amazing!š„°
Do you use lemons to clean anything else in your home that we didn't list??šš
See you next week!
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