Everybody is going green these days. How about some of your cleaners going lemon yellow? That's right, with the lemon's tart citric acid content, not only can it make you pucker but it can clean and disinfect. The beauty of a lemon is that you can find them easily in the grocery store or if you are blessed to live in a warmer climate, they may be right in your backyard. Lemons can be stored for about two weeks without refrigeration and up to 6 weeks in the fridge. Here are some great ideas for making your household lemon fresh.
In the laundry
* Combined with the sun, lemon juice can brighten those dingy whites. Allow your washing machine to fill with water and add 1/2 cup of lemon juice. Let the clothes soak for a while before rinsing and then hang them on the line to dry. Remember, the sun is part of the brightening process.
* For stains, make a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar. Apply it directly to the stain. Check the item often, as lemon power can take the stain and bleach more than you desired.
* To brighten and deodorize your tennis shoes, spray them with a 1/2 water - 1/2 lemon solution and let the shoes sit in the sun for an hour.
In the Kitchen
* Although not a hospital strength disinfectant, lemon juice is great for deodorizing and it does kill mold, bacteria, and germs. Use it on your countertops and cutting surfaces.
* Soak your sponge in a water and lemon juice solution and then microwave it on high for two minutes. Not only will you be sterilizing your sponge, but the lemon and water steam will loosen debris in the microwave, making it easy to wipe away with a damp cloth. Your kitchen will have the added benefit of a lovely lemon scent. Use caution in handling that hot sponge. Also, do not do this with a sponge containing metal threads.
* Put your leftover lemon rinds down the garbage disposal. This will freshen the disposal and aid in clearing old food.
* Clean and shine your kettles, pots, and pans with lemon juice. Lemon juice works especially well on brass. If a bit of abrasive is needed, make a paste with baking soda or salt.
* To clean and shine the sink, make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Rub over all surfaces and rinse. Look at that sparkle!
* Deodorize storage containers with lemon juice. Spray on and let sit overnight and wash as usual.
* Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your dishwater to help cut grease.
In the Bathroom
* With its high acid contact, lemons are great for removing hard water deposits and soap scum. Spray pure lemon juice directly to the area needing cleaning. Allow the juice to work for a few minutes and then rinse clean.
* One of my antique cookbooks, from the 1880's recommends using pure lemon juice on stains in granite surfaces.
* To descale your shower head, fill a plastic bag with lemon juice and tie the bag to the showerhead, immersing it in the juice. Remove the bag in about one hour, and your showerhead should be spraying like new.
In the rest of the house
* The aroma of lemons is said to calm fears and lift depression. Make a spray solution by adding the juice of one lemon and filling the remainder of bottle with water. Keep this mixture in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks and freshen the scent of your home as often as you like.
* To add that fresh scent in the rest of your house, use the lemon rinds in potpourri or in drawer sachets.
* Place a large bowl of lemons for an attractive display or centerpiece in a warm room. The pleasant aroma will give the room a fresh, clean atmosphere.
* A mixture of 1 cup of lemon juice with 1 cup of olive oil makes a great hardwood furniture polish. You may wish to test this on a small, inconspicuous spot first.
One medium lemon has about 3 tablespoons of juice and 3 tablespoons of grated peel. That's enough to clean and freshen a large portion of your house!