It's official, spring is here and it's time to start cleaning up. It's also a good time to pick lemons, and these bright yellow fruits can do a lot to freshen up your home.
Antibacterial properties and a fresh scent make lemons very useful for many tasks around the house and garden. The citric acid in lemons can kill germs and remove mold, while the oil in lemon peels removes grease and other stains.
Whether you're looking for a greener alternative to your regular household cleaning supplies or you just have too many lemons, try these home hacks.
For more household tips , find an effective tip for cleaning your washing machine and learn about some amazing uses for peanut butter .
1. Clean the windows
To remove streaks from windows and other glass surfaces, pour about 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into an empty spray bottle. Add about a tablespoon of white vinegar and a cup of hot (but not boiling) water.
Shake the mixture well and apply to anything that needs cleaning.
2. Upgrade the garbage disposal
If there is an unpleasant smell coming from the kitchen sink, toss some lemon slices or peel in the trash and rinse under cold water.
For extra strong smells, add baking soda to the mixture.
3. Separate the sheets and pillowcases
Has a stubborn stain damaged your linens? Treat it with a mixture of lemon juice and salt and leave it on for 30 minutes.
Rinse with warm water and vinegar, then let dry in the sun. Repeat if necessary. (This technique also works well for sweat stains on shirts.)
If your white sheets have gotten dirty, you can also use lemons to restore their shine.
Fill a large saucepan with water and add a few lemon wedges, then bring to a boil. After turning off the heat, add the leaves and leave to stand for a good hour.
Then wash your clothes as usual.
4. Clean chrome faucets and fixtures
Even when not dirty, limescale, limescale and soap scum can dull chrome fittings.
To restore their shine, cut a lemon in half and run it over the faucet, handles, drain or any other metal surface.
When finished, rinse and dry well.
5. Polish Brass and Copper
Coat half a lemon with coarse salt, then rub it over steamed pots, cabinet handles, and other metal objects. (Make sure they aren't varnished though.)
When finished, wipe with a damp cloth and then blot with a soft, dry cloth.
You can also breathe new life into wooden furniture with a two-for-one solution of olive oil and lemon juice.
6. Kills weeds
If you're not keen on the idea of keeping harsh chemicals out of the reach of children or pets, a little lemon juice can serve as a functional herbicide.
Be careful how much you use and where you apply it, as the acidity of lemons can damage the plants you choose to keep and even change the pH of the soil.
7. Remove stains from your plastic containers
If you've ever put spaghetti in a plastic container, you know how easily tomato sauce can leave an ugly stain.
Instead of throwing it away, fill the container to the brim with lemon juice and let it sit for a few hours. Pour out the juice, then scrub the item well to remove the stain.
Read more: Prevent your food from exploding in the microwave
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