6 ways to make the best use of lemon at home

How to use lemon at home

In the context of household and DIY activities, lemon reveals a wide range of non-culinary applications, offering solutions natural, efficient and sustainable. Let’s see how to make the most of the virtues of this precious and versatile citrus fruit.

Here are six ways to make the most of lemon at home:

1. Degrease and polish the surfaces
2. Deodorize the environments
3. Remove stains
4. Revive fabrics
5. Insect deterrent
6. Prevent oxidation

Degrease and polish the surfaces

Thanks to his antimicrobial properties and at its acidic pH, lemon can be used to remove residues of stubborn fat from various household surfaces.

A mix of lemon juice diluted in water can be used as a cleaning solution non toxicideal for floors, especially those in tiles or laminate, for worktops, for sinks and also for stainless steel surfaces.

Lemon juice for cleaning – Pexels, Pixabay

Thanks to the antibacterial properties of lemon, you can effectively degrease and leave a fresh scent.

Its acidic nature also makes it a valuable ally for polish and remove stains from copper or brass objects; to do this you need to prepare a thick paste by mixing juice lemon and baking soda.

Gently rub the copper or brass objects with the mixture: the lemon will act as a natural whitening agent, while the baking soda will help eliminate the most persistent stains.

Deodorize the environments

The aromatic properties of the lemon allow you to eliminate unwanted odors from domestic environments. Prepare a simple lemon essence disinfectant spray can freshen up environments, neutralizing unpleasant odors, such as those deriving from food, nicotine or pets.

In addition to the various rooms of the house, lemon is also a great ally for eliminating bad smells from the refrigerator: it will be sufficient to cut it in half and place it inside the fridge.

Lemon essential oils – Pixabay Kardkanno

Alternatively, you can squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and leave it, uncovered, in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

In addition to the classic lemon essence spray to spray around the house, DIY enthusiasts can even create their own scented candles with lemon using beeswax or vegetable wax, wicks and lemon essential oil.

Lemon scented candles – Pexel

Once lit, these candles will release a delicate perfume of lemon in the environment, helping to neutralize unwanted odors.

Remove stains

Thanks to its citric acid content, lemon can act as a powerful disintegrant of various stains, including residues of limescale, rust and water stains.

Applied directly to the affected area, lemon can also be effective for treating blemishes fabrics, upholstery and porcelain.

For surfaces affected by limescale stains, as often happens with the sink tap or the shower, you can cut a lemon in half and rub it directly on the affected area and then rinse with hot water after a few minutes.

Using lemon as a degreaser – Pexels, Lidya Kohen

Lemon can also be a precious ally for treating the most stubborn stains on fabrics; Before applying lemon juice directly to delicate fabrics, however, it is advisable to test one small inconspicuous area.

If the fabric allows it, the stain can be dabbed gently with lemon juice diluted in water. Leave to act for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water. Afterwards, wash the fabric as advised by washing instructions.

Revive fabrics

If white fabrics tend to gray or tarnish over time, lemon can come back to the rescue.

For example, for revive the towels or white bath towels, you can add the juice of a lemon to the washing machine cycle.

Simply pour the juice directly into the detergent drawer or, for those who use the rinse function, it can be diluted in water and added before the final rinse.

Using lemon for laundry – Pixabay, Monfocus

The lemon will act as a natural whitening agentrestoring their original luminosity to the fabrics.

For those who like to wash by hand or for fabrics particularly delicate, you can mix lemon juice and water in equal parts, then immerse the fabrics in the solution for a short time: the acidic nature of the lemon helps to whiten and revive the fabrics, making them fresh and bright again.

In addition to lending the maximum attention to the specific washing instructions of each fabric, first use lemon juice on delicate fabrics, it is recommended run a test on a small and inconspicuous area so as to be protected from possible unpleasant reactions.

Lemon as an insect deterrent

Lemon gives off a pleasant scent for humans, but it is unpleasant for many insects. Using a mix of lemon juice and water, sprinkled on sills and windows, you can discourage the entry of insects unwanted at home.

Against mosquitoes, for example, you can cut a lemon into slices, put it on a saucer and add some cloves.

The smell of lemon and cloves will act as natural deterrent for mosquitoes; as well as at home, the dish can also be placed in outdoor areas, such as the patio, balcony or garden.

The smell of lemon will be – without a doubt! – more pleasant than the classic coils.

Lemon spray against insects – Pexels, Daria Liudnay

In addition to being a valid aid in getting rid of annoying mosquitoes, lemon is also a natural repellent for ants, spiders and flies.

To ward off these unwanted insects, you can prepare a solution of lemon juice and water in equal parts and pour it into one spray bottle which will have to be sprayed on the surfaces where these insects tend to land or walk.

Prevent oxidation

Metal objects, such as faucets or doorknobs, can be prone to tarnishing from humidity and exposure to air.

Lemon, thanks to its natural acidity and antioxidant properties, can be used for prevent oxidation of various objects and foods.

If your kitchen utensils or stainless steel items have become dull or have tarnish spots, you can use lemon juice to clean them.

Cleaning steel with lemon – Pexels, Tima Miroshnichenko

Just rub lemon juice directly on the object with a soft cloth or a sponge, then rinse with clean water and finally dry with a dry cloth.

Lemon will help remove ea stains restore the brilliant appearance of stainless steel.