by Marlin Bressi

Created on: September 14, 2009   Last Updated: September 22, 2009

Ever wonder why so many household cleaning products either contain lemon or are lemon-scented? For generations, the fresh citrusy smell of lemons has been synonymous with cleaning. This is because in the days before it was possible to run to the supermarket for cleaning supplies, people had to use natural products to tackle cleaning chores. For many people, the cleaner of choice was lemons.

These days, the cost of housecleaning is pretty high. We have cleaners for toilets, cleaners for countertops, and cleaners for every other surface and object in the house. These cleaners usually have two things in common: they contain potentially harmful chemicals, and they are fairly expensive. Lemons, on the other hand, are inexpensive and all-natural. Here is how you can use lemons to handle common cleaning tasks:

In the kitchen. The acidic nature of lemons (and most other citrus fruits) has the power to brighten white surfaces, while the essential oils found in the skins of lemons have stain-fighting as well as germ-killing properties. This means that lemons are perfect for cleaning counters, stovetops, and other non-porous surfaces. All you need to do is cut a lemon in half and use it to wipe kitchen surfaces. Need some extra muscle to tackle tough spills and grime? Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the lemon and start scrubbing. You will now have a fresh-smelling mild abrasive cleaner that is non-toxic and all-natural. This works exceptionally well on stainless steel surfaces, too. When you are done scrubbing, cut the lemon into slices, take a cupful of ice cubes and run them through your sink's garbage disposal. This will kill odors and clean the disposal's blades all in one step.

In the bathroom. Since most surfaces in the bathroom are white, lemons work exceptionally well at keeping tiles and porcelain bright and sparkling. Use lemons with baking soda to handle cleaning duties usually reserved for Comet or Ajax cleaners. Lemons are also a great way to keep the water in your toilet fresh. Cut 2-3 lemons into slices and put them in the cistern (the part of the toilet that holds the clean water, not the actual bowl of the toilet). Since the water in this tank is usually ice cold, the lemon slices will stay fresh for several weeks. Everytime you flush, your toilet bowl will be filled with lemon-scented water with bowl-brightening abilities.

In the laundry. For centuries, lemons have been used to keep white fabrics from becoming dingy and dull. They also keep clothes smelling fresh. You can make your own laundry detergent by shaving a bar of Castile soap over a cheese grater, and putting the flakes into an old sock with a few wedges of lemon. Tie the sock and toss into the wash, and you've got an environmentally-friendly laundry detergent that brightens whites and keeps clothes smelling fresh.

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