Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C, providing 64% of the recommended daily value in a 100 g reference amount (table). Other essential nutrients are low in content.
Lemons contain numerous phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenes, and tannins. Lemon juice contains slightly more citric acid than lime juice (about 47 g/L), and nearly twice the citric acid of grapefruit juice, and about five times the amount of citric acid found in orange juice.
Now that you have a little scientific back ground history on lemons, I have put together a list of 25 household uses for lemons!
Something smell fishy? Rub hands and cutting surface with a lemon wedge.
Have a recipe that calls for 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and you don't want to waste the rest? Freeze lemon juice in an ice tray to sue later in cooking.
Put several lemons in a clear bowl or wire basket to create a simple yet "sunny" center piece
For natural highlights, squeeze lemon juice on your hair before your final rinse.
Rub hands, elbows, knees, and feet with a lemon wedge to remove roughness and discoloration.
Unpleasant fireplace odor? Burn a few lemon wedges with the firewood.
Simmer a sliced lemon to freshen the house. For fuller fragrance, add a few cinnamon sticks.
Place lemon slices on a dish in the bathroom or near the cat's litter box to sweeten the air.
Scrub cheese graters with a lemon wedge to remove stuck food particles.
Brighten dull fingernails by scrubbing them with a lemon wedge.
Remove tarnish on metals with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda
Add a halved lemon to the cavity of roast chicken for additional flavor and tenderness.
Sore throat? Add lemon juice and honey to a cup of hot tea for soothing relief.
Wipe the inside of refrigerator, ice chest, and microwave with a sponge dipped in lemon juice to brighten and freshen.
Sprinkle lemon juice on cut fruit and guacamole to preserve color.
Repel bugs with lemon juice. Apply a few drops where ants enter; wipe counter tops and floors with lemon juice and water; make a sachet of dry lemon rinds for closets and drawers.
Grind sliced lemon peels in garbage disposal to deodorize the drain.
Remove laundry stains by soaking items in a mixture of lemon juice, baking soda, and water before washing. Sponge tough stains with lemon juice and let soak.
Scrub plastic utensils with a lemon wedge to remove stubborn stains.
Spritz the room with a spray bottle filled with lemon juice and water for a fresh, natural fragrance.
Get whites white (including athletic shoes) by spraying them with lemon juice and drying them in the sun.
Clean copper cookware with a lemon wedge sprinkled with salt.
Secure a lemon wedge on a prong in your dishwasher for fresh-smelling, sparkling clean dishes.
Keep rice from sticking by adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water.
A mixture of lemon juice, white vinegar, and water makes a useful, use-everywhere cleaning solution.
I find it quite comforting to have natural ways of being able to clean ones home without all the harsh chemicals. Between vinegar, lemons and baking soda (my next house hold uses post) we are set! Do you have a use for lemons that has been passed down to you OR that you've discovered that's not mentioned in this post? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
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