How to Use Lemons for Everyday Use

Lemons are a common ingredient for food and drinks. But because of its high acidity and vitamin C, there are many great everyday uses for lemons that are inexpensive and environmentally friendly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lemons
• Water
• Bowls and/or spray bottles
• Cleaning clothes
• Vinegar

1. 
    

   ***Sanitize Cooking Surfaces***.
   Slice a lemon and scrub it over the surface of a plastic or wood cutting boards or wood counter to disinfect. You can also squeeze the juice over the cutting board to remove stains from the surface. Squeeze the juice over the stain, rub the stain, and let it sit for 10-20 minutes then rinse the cutting board with water.

2. 
    

   ***Clean and Sanitize the Garbage Disposal***
   Peel the rind off the lemon, drop it into the garbage disposal, and run the disposal for a few minutes. Limonene is a chemical in the peel, which will help dissolve bits of food and remove odors from the disposal. If you don't have lemon handy, you can also use oranges or limes.

3. 
    

   ***Make a Centerpiece***
   Take a glass or ceramic bowl and fill it with 10-12 lemons to make a bright, cheery and inexpensive centerpiece. Or use a combination of lemons and votive candles alternating down the center of your dining table for a romantic, candle lit dinner.

4. 
    

   ***Polish Furniture***
   
   Take equal parts vinegar and lemon juice in a bowl or into a spray bottle, mix thoroughly or shake the bottle to mix the ingredients. Using a cloth, spray your wood furniture with small amounts of the lemon juice mixture, then wipe with another cloth. This is an inexpensive and environmentally-friendly way to polish furniture.

5. 
    

   ***Strengthen Your Fingernails***
   Combine the juice from one lemon and warm water in a bowl. Soak your fingers in the bowl for 10-20 minutes each day. Soaking your fingernails in lemon juice will help absorb much needed vitamin C, which helps to strengthen nails and brighten your nails.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have lemons available, then in most cases oranges or limes work just as well.
• Using lemons as cleaning products will reduce your use of chemicals.
• Remember to use clean spray bottles for your lemon cleaning products, especially do not use spray bottles that used to contain chemicals.

[boatst]

on 6/17/2009 So many good uses for lemons Thanks for info.

[momtchr]

on 6/4/2009 Your articles are so well written. Great suggestions for using lemons. 5* and a subscribe!:)

[AnneZ]

on 6/2/2009 Don't forget lighten your hair! 5**** article about lemons!

[MommyTeach]

on 5/21/2009 I didn't know that about the nails. Great stuff. 5* and a rec.

[gahazeleyes]

on 5/20/2009 Very nice article. Thanks for sharing.