Lemons are Not Just for Lemonade: 31 Uses for Lemons and Lemon Juice
by Judy Sheldon on Oct 15, 2007 with 44 Comments
Some common and some uncommon uses for lemons.
Household:
- Remove tough food stains from your cutting board by rubbing with lemon juice and baking soda. This will also kill germs and freshen.
- Clean and deodorize your microwave by placing 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in 1 cup of water. Place in microwaveable bowl and boil for 5 minutes. The condensation from the boiled mixture will enable the microwave to be wiped out easily, and will deodorize the oven.
- A paste of salt and lemon juice will clean and shine your sink while killing germs.
- Toss lemon rinds into the fireplace to freshen stale smells.
- Toss lemon rinds into simmering water along with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels to make a delightful aroma and humidify the air.
- Polish chrome faucets with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice.
- A few tablespoons added to the water in a humidifier will deodorize the air in the home.
- Cut a lemon in half and place in dishes for air fresheners.
- Stop potatoes or cauliflower from discoloring while cooking by placing 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in the water while cooking.
- Stop apples or guacamole from discoloring when preparing fruit salads by sprinkling lemon juice on them.
- Place a sponge or cotton ball dabbed with lemon juice in your fridge for several hours to displace foul odors. Do not forget to remove the spoiled food.
- By adding a teaspoon of lemon juice to rice while cooking you can prevent your rice from sticking.
- Freshen soggy lettuce by dipping lettuce in a bowl of cold water with the juice of ½ lemon. Place lettuce in fridge for 1 hour. Remove lettuce from the bowl and allow to dry. The lettuce can then be used for sandwiches or salad.
- Ant-proof the kitchen with lemon juice. Squirt lemon juice on thresholds and window sills. Squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks that the ants are entering. Scatter small slices of lemon peel around door entrances. Ants do not like the lemon fragrance and will not enter your home. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas. Reader’s Digest suggests a mixture of ½ gallon (2 liters) of water and the juice and rinds of four lemons. Wash the kitchen floor and the counters with this mixture and watch the insects leave.
- Lemon or orange peels tossed regularly into the garbage disposal will keep the garbage disposal smelling fresh.
- Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Rub the solution on your aluminum pans, then buff and watch them shine.
Laundry
- Pour lemon juice directly on ink spots and wash garments in cold water.
- A mild alternative to bleach can be found in lemon juice. Soak garments in a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice for ½ hour prior to washing. Lemon juice is much safer for whitening delicates than bleach is.
- Used with white vinegar lemon juice is effective in removing underarm stains from shirts, and blouses.
- Use 1 cup of lemon juice in washer with whites to help remove rust stains, and whiten whites. Work a paste of salt and lemon juice into mildew stains and allow garment to dry. Repeat process until the stain is gone.
Health and Beauty
- Lemon juice has been used for years to lighten age spots and freckles, and it has an added bonus of helping to clear black heads and acne. Wash the face nightly with lemon juice and rinse with cool water in the morning.
- Create blond highlights by spraying the hair with lemon juice and sitting under the sun. Lemon juice added to shampoo aids with the removal of dandruff. Add two tablespoons of lemon juice to two cups of water to rinse hair after shampooing. Repeat process every other day until there are no signs of dandruff.
- Dry and achy hands and feet can be relieved with a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil used as a massage. The skin will feel softer too.
- Anyone who frequently polishes their nails knows that polish can create yellowing. Soak nails in lemon juice for ten minutes then dip in a mixture of warm water and vinegar. Not only with this help to whiten nails, but it also aids in strengthening them.
- Lemon juice provides for antibacterial treatment in minor wounds and aids in stopping the bleeding.
- Poured directly on poison ivy rash, lemon juice relieves the itch and discomfort.
- There are several different cough and sore throat remedies which include lemon juice. Lemon juice can also be used to kill the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- A few drops of lemon juice added to a glass of warm water drank before breakfast will aid with constipation.
- Remove the foul odor of fish or the stain of berries from your hands by washing them first in lemon juice and then with soap and water.
- Lighten, smooth, and soften elbows with lemon juice.
- Remove warts by applying lemon juice to the site daily until the wart falls off.
There is also an added benefit in using lemon juice, baking soda, or vinegar in cleaning in that we are helping our environment by using natural non toxic cleaners.
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Published in: Homemaking
IcyCucky | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
Great article, Judy.
There are many that I don’t know.
Thank you.
Judy | Oct 15, 2007 | Reply
Thank you, Icy.
Ruby Hawk | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
Lots of good tips here. You can also use lemon juice diluted with water to relieve a sunburn.
Judy Sheldon | Oct 30, 2007 | Reply
You are right, Ruby. How did I forget that one? Thanks.
Tiffany | Dec 14, 2007 | Reply
I heard on the show “Good Eats”, that in earlier times, the women would use lemons to keep the redness in their lips. Has anyone ever heard that, and if so, can you tell me where I can read more about it.
Jennifer | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Great advice fun and easy to use. Thank you!
Judy Sheldon-Walker | Jan 2, 2008 | Reply
Jennifer, thank you for reading and commenting.
Sas | May 27, 2008 | Reply
I have been washing my face for a year with a mix of brown sugar and lemon juice. It helps with all sorts of skin problems. I also use in on my limbs to remove dry skin. Leaves evertrhing feeling very soft.
Judy Sheldon | May 27, 2008 | Reply
Sas, thanks for the extra tips. I love natural products.
Alyssa B | Jun 26, 2008 | Reply
Thankyou I’ve learned sooo much. But how long will it take for lemon juice to lighten dark underarms?
Paulette | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Great article. I only knew 5% usefulness of Lemon. I’m using it for facial dark spot.
Judy Sheldon | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Alyssa, Paulette, thanks for reading. Alyssa, I’m not sure of the time frame, but know that it lightens dark areas.
M J katz | Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
So many uses that I wasn’t aware of! This article needs to be copied and placed on everyone’s refrigerator…starting with MINE!
Wonderful info!
Elaine | Dec 8, 2008 | Reply
pure lemon juice used as a toner on my face is the only thing that has really helped my acne!!
Judy Sheldon | Dec 10, 2008 | Reply
Elaine, it helps to even out your complexion too. Thanks so much for your comment.
alex nunez | Dec 15, 2008 | Reply
this site has really helped me throughout my reaserch on lemons. i am thankful for this site also because it helps with everyday uses
Judy Sheldon | Dec 16, 2008 | Reply
Alex, thank you for your kind support.
Take care & God bless.
TWAMBO KANYAMA | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for helping me appreciate lemons as they are a substitute for alot of things,are user friendly,no chemicals and are cheap and easy to find.
Judy Sheldon | Dec 17, 2008 | Reply
Twambo, yes unlike my computer, half the time, they are user friendly! Thanks for the comment.
Take care & God bless.
vpsaroza | Dec 29, 2008 | Reply
i stumbled upon ur site. i love the idea about ridding of ants & roaches. will try it. ur great
Judy Sheldon | Dec 30, 2008 | Reply
Vpsaroza, Thanks for your support.
God bless & Happy New Years!
james | May 8, 2009 | Reply
How long would it take u to remove dark spots wit the lemons
Judy Sheldon | May 8, 2009 | Reply
James, you should see a lightening within a week. Witch hazel also helps to fade spots.
Pamela Rochelle Woodworth | May 31, 2009 | Reply
Cool Judy-savin’ this info-do you suppose citrus would do anything with ant hills-they’d probably just move cause you need to get the queen?-also you think citrus rinds? at the doors would ward off crickets? can’t use juice there-(have lemon/orange/grapefruit trees-my folks’)thank you much. Pamela
Judy Sheldon | May 31, 2009 | Reply
Pamela, thanks for reading & commenting. You asked about crickets, and I read this tip: (paraphrased) Take a strip of (packaging) tape and place on the floor sticky side up. Later just take the strip outside far enough away from your home or feed to a cricket eating pet.
As far as ants lemons repel them, but I think boric acid is toxic to them (it is also toxic to us!) Place boric acid in a baster and squirt it into base boards, and hard to reach places that are not accessible to your pets or children. I hope that helps.
Loretta McKinniss | Jun 11, 2009 | Reply
This was really helpful!
Judy Sheldon | Jun 11, 2009 | Reply
Loretta, thank you for your support.
alexis | Jun 29, 2009 | Reply
good tips i will surly use some of them
Alexis (again) | Jun 29, 2009 | Reply
about the dying your hair with lemons how long do you have to sit in the sun? will is damage me hair? have you heard of dying your hair with cool aid?? how do you do that?? n if i use ur tip how blonde will my hair get??? i have dark brown hair can some times look black*** in case u need to know
Judy Sheldon | Jun 29, 2009 | Reply
Alexis, with dark hair, like yours it takes much longer to lighten. It will give you some highlights and a lovely shine though.
Nasihah | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
I really love all these tips.
Thanks Judy (:
Judy Sheldon | Jul 11, 2009 | Reply
Nasihah, thanks for your support.
Take care & God bless!
jedopi | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
Wow, this article is just chock full of info. Good job, I’ll have to try some of these out.
Judy Sheldon | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
Jedopi, thanks so much for your warm support.
Take care & God bless!
Lena | Jul 24, 2009 | Reply
Wow really helpful. Thanks for the tips. I have dark brown hair. If i try to lighten my hair using lemons how long should i sit in the sun for and how long before I see results?? Also I have some acne scarring. Will the lemons help lighten them. If so, by how much and how long.(School starts soon)
Judy Sheldon | Jul 24, 2009 | Reply
Lena, have you tried vitamin E for your scars? Internally and topically this vitamin will help heal and fade the scar.
Lemon juice will not drastically lighten dark hair but will add wonderful shimmer and shine with highlights making it look natural and not artificial.
Enjoy school. Thanks for your interest, take care & God bless.
prak | Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
thnx u hlpd me thru my projct
long live lemons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judy Sheldon | Aug 1, 2009 | Reply
Prak, you are welcome. I’m glad it helped.
Ashi | Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
Would u recommend using lemon juive around the eyes for dark circles – left on over night??
Judy Sheldon | Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
Ashi, just take care not to get the juice in your eyes. Witch hazel will help with dark circles too.
Thanks for your support. Take care.
molly | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
lots of helpful tips…i’m dark skinned, do u think leomon rinds will help me lighten my skin, if yes how long before i see results?
Judy Sheldon | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
Molly, I’m pretty sure it will lighten and even out your skin tone but I do not know how long it will take.
molly | Sep 9, 2009 | Reply
thankyou… will go ahead and try it…by the way i super love ur site
Judy Sheldon | Sep 9, 2009 | Reply
Molly, thanks again.
Take care & God bless!