7 Awesome Uses for Lemon

image

Lemons are wonderful for use in all sort of recipes, from fish sauces to lemonade to lemon meringue pie. What many people do not realize, however, is that lemons are also good for a whole array of things around the house and often make for a natural and healthier alternative to many types of household cleaners. Below are ten ways in which lemons can be used around the home.

Cut through Grease
Most people who cook with any frequency will get a build-up of grease on and around the stovetop. After all, this the place that will take a direct hit if any slopping sautéing has been done. It can, however, be challenging to clean up. For a quick and natural way to cut through the grease, salt a lemon wedge (to provide abrasion) and rub in onto the mess, then wipe down with a towel.

Scrub out Coffee or Tea Pot
To get rid of a tea kettle’s mineral deposits, boil a handful of sliced lemon peels, then turn off the heat and let them soak inside the pot for an hour. After that, simply drain and rinse. To clean out a coffee pot, add a mixture of salt, ice and lemon rinds to the empty pot, agitate it gently for several minutes, then rinse it out. Both will coffee pots and tea kettles will be squeaky clean after this treatment.

Clean up the Microwave
If there is a lot of caked-on gunk in the microwave, a simple way to clean it is to fill a bowl half-way with water and lemon rinds then microwave it on high for five minutes to let the water condense and to collect on the interior surfaces. Then remove the bowl and wipe down thoroughly with a towel.

Deodorize the Garbage Disposal
Funky odors wafting from the garbage disposal are unfortunately a common problem in many homes. To combat this, simply put lemon peel or old lemon wedges down the garbage disposal and turn it on. It will give off a fresh, citrusy scent and make the whole room smell better!

Treat Chrome or Copper
A lemon wedge that has been dipped in salt or baking soda makes an excellent treatment for copper, chrome, brass or stainless steel. Simply rub the mixture onto the metal, let stand for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry.

Repel Insect
Insects can be a problem in any home, especially in the warm season. To keep them away naturally, chop up lemon peels and place them near doorways, windowsills or any other possible entrance. This can make a very effective repellant.

Make a Scented Humidifier
Dry air can be a problem, especially in the cold months because of the need to heat a house. To help solve this problem, bring lemon peel slices to a slow boil and let simmer for a long time to humidify and perfume the air.

These are all ways to use lemons around the homes. They can often replace household cleaners that are both harsher and more expensive than the natural treatment options that lemons offer.

More by Christine . S

5 Delicious Foods That Reduce Blood Pressure

Top Dangerous Addictive Ingredients in Fast Food

5 Healthy Alternatives to Coffee

Christine . S
Christine has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.