Lemons are Not Just for Lemonade: 31 Uses for Lemons and Lemon Juice
Some common and some uncommon uses for lemons.
- 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!
Glory | May 11, 2010 | Reply
Lots of experience and learning are comming out
I have no idea on the importance of lemon!!!
I appreciate and thank you for the all shared
I will put these experince in practice BUT how lemon help us internally (taking as juice?)much shared was mostly extenally use?
Judy Sheldon | May 11, 2010 | Reply
Glory, like other citrus fruits, lemons contain Vitamin C, but they also include antiseptic and antibacterial oils. When taken orally it assists the lymphatic system, aids in digestion, reduces wrinkles, and helps to disperse cellulite – The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood
Thanks for reading and God bless!
Enzo | May 21, 2010 | Reply
Great article Judy! I always knew there was something special and versatile about lemons. Call it an innate awareness I don’t know. I first started using it in my water to make it more refreshing and taste better, then I started to get in the habit of rubbing the residual juice that would get on my hands into my hair and face and it is the most refreshing and invigorating feeling. Then I got the feeling that it would probably be an effective cleaning agent, and sure enough it is as you have confirmed and validated here on this site. Thank God for lemons, I love them!!
Great article Judy, I’ve now bookmarked this site.
Enzo | May 21, 2010 | Reply
Also, I’ve read here that vinegar, baking soda and salt are helpful and natural cleaning agents. Wouldn’t it make sense to make an all purpose cleaner for the house with a mixture of lemons, vinegar, baking soda and salt? And if so, what should the proportions and measurements of each be?
Judy Sheldon | May 21, 2010 | Reply
Enzo, thanks so much for your support and you are so right. Lemons are very good all around fruits for cleaning, beauty, nutrition, digestion…
Frank | May 27, 2010 | Reply
I’m 63, mty mom died when she was 82, or so. Real lemon juice was always used to lighten hair! And baby oil and benodine always “increased” the tan. I thing that lemon and peroxide kept bugs away while “blonding” body hair. It may be a natural deordant too, (maybe)?
So, I have made quarts of lemon aide. I was hoping that the discards (rinds and pulp) would be useful – - – -besides using it as a dishwasher cleaner.
Have any other suggestions? Can I use the pulp to keep away any varments, bugs, birds, or the like?
And, if I added to the earth around my plantings, would it be helpful?
Judy Sheldon | May 28, 2010 | Reply
Frank, grate the lemon and orange rinds and toss it on your salad, cook it in your baked goods, sprinkle it on your hot cereal – you get the idea. Of course, it will feed the garden. Many insects shy away from the lemon fragrance.
Thanks for reading.
Julia | Jan 1, 2012 | Reply
Hi. I am doing a school project on natural pesticides on ants. I am wanting to know why the ants do not like lemons.
Judy Sheldon | Jan 1, 2012 | Reply
Julia, many gardeners have learned that certain flowers in their gardens help to keep out the bad pests and others help to draw the good pests. I wrote another article about that. The reason to my understanding is the fragrance. Many insects and animals dislike strong odors.
Also look into bay leaf, borax, chalk, cinnamon, dry mustard, flour, oranges, peppers, petrolem jelly, sage, salt, talcum powder, vinegar and whole cloves. This list was found in Reader’s Digest Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things.
Good luck with your school project. Natural is best.