8 New Ways to Use Lemons Around the House

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. You know the expression, but did you know that you can use lemons for far more?

So on your mark, get set, squeeze! Here are 8 new ways to use this pint-sized tart fruit.

1. Maintain your cuticles and color

Soak your fingernails in a small bowl filled with a cup of warm water and the juice of half a lemon for five minutes. Next push back your cuticles and rub the peel back and forth on the nail.  For extra zest (excuse the pun!) squish your nails in the pulp of the lemon prior to soaking. Rinse ‘n moisturize—easy squeezie (oops there I go again!)

2. Hair highlighter

Squeeze lemon juice on strands of your hair and either lay out in the sun to dry or leave on for about 30 minutes then blow dry your new blonde locks! I like putting the strands on a piece of tin foil and then squeezing the lemon on them to create my own homemade foils!

3. Deodorize disposal

Throw used lemon halves down your kitchen disposal to eliminate odors.

4. Sanitize cutting boards

Lemons are a natural sanitizer due to their low PH…who da thunk! To start, remove any crud or debris from the cutting board, then take half a lemon and rub the board. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes so it’s effective.

5. Clean microwave

This is a non-toxic way to clean our fave cooking tool since it leaves no chemical residue, just a fresh, clean scent. Cut a lemon in half and place it in a microwavable bowl filled with water. Place in microwave and zap for 3 minutes.  Allow bowl to cool so you don’t burn yourself. Use a damp cloth to remove any debris loosened during the ‘cleansing’.

6. Bleach and brighten clothes

Mix an equal amount of lemon juice and baking soda and put it on mild stains. Let soak for 30 minutes then launder pronto. You can also put 2 teaspoons into a load with your detergent for a naturally fresh citrusy clean scent!

7. Prevent browning

Add a squirt of lemon on fresh avocados and guacamole, which will keep them from browning and make them taste yummier. Also add to potatoes and cauliflower when boiling to keep them from turning brown.

8. De-bugger

Got ants, roaches or fleas? Here’s what you can do to debug your home:

Take aim with lemon – bugs hate D-limonen, which is naturally found in these little yellow wonders. Put some in a spray bottle and squirt at their entryways, i.e. cracks between kitchen cabinets, holes in floors, door and window edges.
Wash floors with the juice of 4-6 lemons and ½ gallon of water.  Test inconspicuous area.

And if you’ve got moths:

Place dried lemon peels in dressers, closet shelves and/or wrap some lemon peels in a mesh bag and hang in your closet.

Looking for more cleaning tips? Try these:

5 common back to school messes solved

10 new ways to use tennis balls and racquets

How to get rid of common bugs

Lemon image courtesy of Daniella Segura, Flicker; Guacamole image Courtesy of lynch_m_j, Flickr