10 Uses for Lemons

Lemons is much more than a colorful garnish. These small citrus fruits have hundreds of practical uses around the home, from polished stainless steel to brighten your clothes. The citric acid in lemons makes it a powerful natural cleaning agent , and are also good for health and beauty .

From laundry bleach insect repellent, here are 10 uses for lemons in the house not only for the economic and safe cleaning but to give your home a fresh, invigorating scent:

1. Deodorize your home

From the fridge to the litter box, lemons can eliminate odors of all kinds throughout the house. Dip a sponge in lemon juice and place in the refrigerator to absorb odors. You can also cook lemon peel simmered to give a fresh scent throughout the house. Pull the rest of the lemon in the garbage disposal to eliminate odors from food. Only a few slices of lemon near a litter box will help to neutralize unpleasant odors.

2. Remove tarnish

Remove the tarnish that makes the brass , copper and stainless steel does not shine, making a paste of lemon juice and salt and apply to the affected area. Let stand for five minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry.

3. Pula metal surfaces

No need to buy a special polish for stainless steel, aluminum and chrome. Just cut a lemon in half and rub directly on the surface to remove fingerprints and dirt. For extra cleaning power, mix lemon juice, either with salt, baking soda or cream of tartar. The last two options are soft enough for polishing metal surfaces without leaving scratches.

4. Remove stains

Sweat stains , wine, tomato and others can be removed with a little lemon juice. Blot as much of the substance as possible, then saturate the stain with juice. Sprinkle with salt and then rub the salt. Proceed to put the garment in the washing machine.

5. Illuminate clothes without bleach

You do not need to bleach your whites shine . Add a quarter cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle.

6. Keep fruits and vegetables

Apples, potatoes, avocados and other fruits and vegetables tend to turn brown quickly but can be preserved with a little lemon juice. Add a teaspoon or so to the water when boiling the potatoes and sprinkle some in your fruit salad or guacamole.

7. Relieve sore throat

No matter how seasoned, the cough syrup does not taste good. The next time your throat hurts you, try this trick : Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice and a tablespoon of honey in a cup of water and simmer, either on the stove or in the microwave. The lemon removes congestion, while honey soothes the inflamed tissue.

8. Clean greasy dishes

Lemon juice is very effective against grease. Squeeze in difficult messes, including crust, oven and let stand for a few minutes. Then, make a paste with a little baking soda and a little lemon juice and rub it in the dirt.

9. Repels insects without pesticides

Ants, fleas, moths, cockroaches and other insects hate the smell and strong taste of lemons . Hang a sachet of dry lemon peels in your closet instead of mothballs, and sprinkle fresh lemon juice on the windows and doors where pests are likely to come. You can also spray lemon juice in hard to reach areas such as crevices between equipment and walls.

10. Whiten yellow nails

Take a soak lemon to give your nails a healthier appearance. Remove any nail polish, wash your hands and then soak your nails in lemon juice for a minute or two. Moisturize the end to keep your hands dry.