Cleaning Tips: 14 Eco-Friendly Ideas with Lemons

Lemon’s natural bleaching properties make it an excellent choice for brightening, cleaning, and removing stains from fabrics, surfaces, and household items.

Harness the inherent bleaching, degreasing, and antibacterial qualities of lemons to effectively address a wide range of household tasks while prioritizing eco-friendly practices.

Lemons offer a natural and sustainable alternative to conventional cleaning products, making them a versatile and environmentally conscious choice for various cleaning and maintenance needs. By utilizing the power of lemons, you can accomplish household chores efficiently while minimizing your impact on the environment.

The acidic nature of lemons helps break down and remove tough stains, whether it’s on clothing, countertops, or cutting boards.

Additionally, lemon juice can act as a natural bleach alternative, effectively lightening and brightening whites without the use of harsh chemicals.

When it comes to degreasing, lemons are highly effective due to their citric acid content.

The acidity helps cut through grease and grime, making it ideal for cleaning greasy stovetops, kitchen appliances, and greasy residues on various surfaces. The natural degreasing power of lemons not only leaves your surfaces clean but also imparts a fresh, citrusy scent.

Around-the-house Cleaning Solutions

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Photo: Around-the-House Cleaning Solutions

Stocking fresh lemons in your kitchen can offer more benefits than just adding flavor to your recipes.

From cleaning solutions to household hacks, lemons can be a versatile and handy tool in your spring cleaning routine. Here are some practical ways to utilize fresh lemons around the house:

Cleaning Solutions:

To maximize the juice extracted from a lemon, soak it in hot water for 15 minutes or heat it in the microwave for a minute before use.

Freeze-quartered lemons to have them readily available for various cleaning tasks. Air Freshening:

Simmer cut-up lemons in a pot of water to fill your home with refreshing citrus scents.

Add a few drops of lemon juice to your vacuum bag before cleaning to spread a delightful aroma. Ant Deterrent:

Discourage ants from entering your home by spraying lemon juice in their entry points and placing lemon peels in cracks and holes.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

  • Create a germ-busting cleaner by combining white vinegar, lemon juice, vodka, essential lemongrass oil, and castile soap in a spray bottle.
  • Infuse lemon peels in distilled white vinegar for a few weeks to create a powerful cleaning solution.
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Photo: Around-the-House Cleaning Solutions

Window and Glass Cleaning:

Mix club soda with lemon juice or use distilled water with a splash of lemon juice as a DIY glass cleaning spray.

Disinfecting:

Wipe down frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, handles, and remote controls, with a cloth sprayed with a mixture of lemon juice and water.

Abrasive Scrub:

Mix salt and lemon juice to create an effective scrub for removing rust and clothing stains, and cleaning various surfaces like piano keys, copper pots, cutting boards, and shower doors.

Paintbrush Restoration:

Revive paint-hardened brushes by boiling them in lemon juice and washing them with soapy water.

Remove dried paint from window glass by wiping it with a cloth soaked in hot lemon juice.

Improve Kitchen Operations

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Photo: Improve Kitchen Operations

In the kitchen, lemons can also be used to enhance the functionality and cleanliness of your appliances and dishware:

Garbage disposals:

Eliminate food odors by throwing used lemons into the disposal or using frozen lemon quarters to freshen the scent while cleaning the blades.

Microwave Cleaning:

Place a bowl of lemon juice in the microwave and let it boil to loosen stuck-on debris, making it easier to wipe away.

Dishwasher Maintenance:

Put a bowl of lemon juice in the top rack or basket and run the dishwasher on a normal cycle to remove hard water spots and iron buildup.

Grill Cleaning:

Use a halved lemon speared on a fork to rub across a hot grill surface, effectively cleaning it.

Appliance Blade Cleaning:

Clean blender blades and coffee grinders by adding frozen lemon peels and running the appliances, allowing the lemon’s acidity to remove grime.

Dish Stain Removal:

Remove water spots from china and silverware by using a microfiber cloth dampened with concentrated lemon juice.

Rinse plasticware with lemon juice to eliminate stains. Cheese Grater Maintenance:

Grate the fleshy side of lemon on both sides of the cheese grater to break up dairy fat and proteins, making it easier to clean.

By keeping fresh lemons on hand, you can effectively tackle various cleaning tasks and enjoy the fresh aroma they bring to your home.

*The information is for reference only.