The lemons are always a beneficial item to have in the home or even growing in your home garden, as one can find many uses for them. Citrus trees fruit in Winter, so there will be hauls of lemons at affordable prices at grocery stores, and those who have lemon trees in their homes will have an abundance of fruit.
There are so many recipes and beverages one can make with lemons, from lemonade, lemon meringue, to using lemon as a natural cleaning agent.
Make your own furniture polish
Fill an empty spray bottle with one cup of water and four tablespoons of lemon juice. Shake the solution well and spray the desired area, then use a microfiber cloth to remove any stains or markings from your mirror or glass. The shine that remains is free of streaks.
For more effectiveness and cleaning power, you can also mix vinegar and lemon water in your spray bottle. This solution shines your mirrors and glass.
Clean and remove odours from the microwave
The citrus odour in lemon makes it a good cleaning agent as it leaves spaces smelling fresh. There is acid in lemon that is responsible for its cleaning properties, including its ability to kill bacteria, break down grime, and remove stains. The oils in lemon peels also contribute to cleaning by cutting through grease and other substances.
Kill bacteria on the cutting board or wooden utensils
Citric acid is a powerful disinfectant capable of killing bacteria and viruses and is a safe alternative to old cleaning agents like chlorine bleach. Lemons can be used to sanitise and disinfect wooden utensils to prevent foodborne illnesses.
Remove rust
Lemon juice, which contains a high concentration of citric acid, is highly effective in removing rust by enhancing iron absorption and potentially forming iron citrate. It is a chelating agent that forms a complex with iron and enhances its solubility. Adding lemon juice to vinegar can enhance its effectiveness. Its citric acid makes it an effective rust remover and cleaner.
Lemons are more than a zesty fruit to food—they’re a kitchen, garden, and cleaning cupboard dynamite. They are super useful in the home. From thirst-quenching drinks to toxic-free cleaning, lemons prove that nature is the best designer of tools for a healthy, holistic home.
Compiled by: Thimna Matika
First published by Garden & Home
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