By now I’m sure you all know that cleaning with lemons is a great way to make your home feel energised. It’s scent is fresh, clean and energizing, they are cheap to buy and easy to find in the local shops.Lemons contain both acidity found in the juice along with the grease-cutting oil contained within its skin to create a superb cleaning sidekick.This beautiful, acidic, multipurpose yellow gem can be used to clean countless things in your home. Here are some great cleaning uses for lemons.
1. THE FRIDGE: As an alternative to using baking soda in the fridge to manage unpleasant odours, you can do the the same with a lemon. The best way to do this is to cut a lemon in half and leave it in a small bowl, flesh side up, and leave it there for about a week before changing it as it tends to dry out on the surface.
2. THE MICROWAVE: Cut a lemon in half and squeeze each half into a bowl which is half filled with water, then add the skin of the lemon to the bowl and put it in the microwave. Set the timer for 3-5 minutes depending on the wattage of your microwave, and cook the lemon on highest setting available. After it has done, let the lemon cool for 5 minutes to allow the lemon oils to loosen the greasy build up on the inside of the microwave and then you can just wipe it out with a damp cloth or kitchen paper and hey presto a clean fresh smelling microwave.
3. WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD: As well as your lemon, for this one you are going to need a little coarse salt, some elbow grease and a little oil. To start sprinkle the salt over the surface of the chopping board and use half a lemon, juicy side down, and thoroughly work the salt into the board with the lemon using your elbow grease!! This will remove food stains and deodourise the chopping board at the same time. Rinse off the salt and lemon and revitalise the board with a little oil.
4. THE KETTLE: Lemon can be used for descaling your kettle by mixing 250ml of lemon juice to 500ml water and pour into your kettle – bring it to a boil and then let cool. Empty out the kettle boil it again with plain water, discard this and your kettle should be descaled and clean once again!
5. TOILET BOWLS: The acidity and natural oils of a lemon are great for the task of removing the ring around your toilet bowl. To do this squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the bowl, add a small amount of salt and use the toilet brush to give the bowl a good srub and this should remove the unsightly ring from the bowl.
6. SOAP SCUM: Soap scum builds up in the bath and shower cubicles and an easy way to reduce this is to apply the lemon juice directly to all surfaces, including the glass areas, using a sponge or put it in a spray bottle, leave on the bath or shower, allow the juice to soak in for a minute or two, and then wipe away with a damp cloth leaving the bath and shower smelling clean and fresh.
7. GLASS & MIRRORS: Lemon is an excellent cleaner for any glass and mirrors and has a much better smell than vinegar. The best method is to find the spray bottle you used for the shower and fill it with about three tablespoons of lemon juice and a about 250ml of water. Spray this onto the glass or mirror and wipe clean using a clean microfibre cloth.
8. WASTE DISPOSAL: If youy have a waste disposal unit then put the lemon in this, it will have two main benefits, the first being the oils will reduce the grease in the pipes and secondly it will leave the sink smelling fresh.
