Uses for Lemon Juice You Haven’t Thought Of

Last Updated on August 2, 2024 by Veronica Sparks

Have you ever wondered about the myriad uses for lemon juice beyond just cooking? This citrus powerhouse isn’t just for your kitchen recipes; it has numerous applications that can transform your home and daily routines.

Incorporating lemon juice into your lifestyle also aligns perfectly with natural living principles, offering chemical-free and cost-effective solutions. Let’s explore the surprising and versatile uses for lemon juice that you might not have thought of before!

Culinary Uses for Lemon Juice

Let’s start with the basics. Lemon juice is a staple in many kitchens, but its uses extend beyond elevating fish and dessert dishes. Here are some exciting culinary uses for lemon juice:

1. Making Lemonade: The classic, refreshing drink we all love is just the beginning. Lemonade can be jazzed up with herbs like mint or basil for an extra zing.
2. Homemade Salad Dressing: Create a tangy, healthy, homemade salad dressing by mixing lemon juice with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a touch of honey.
3. Keeping Apple Slices from Turning Brown: A spritz of lemon juice on freshly cut apple slices prevents them from browning, making it easier to meal prep those lunches.

Lemon Juice in Kitchen Cleaning

Lemon juice isn’t just for food—it’s a fantastic cleaner as well. Its natural acidity and pleasant fragrance make it an ideal ingredient in a homemade all-purpose cleaner, for example. Here are several other ways you can harness its power for kitchen cleaning:

Sanitize Wood Utensils and Cutting Boards

Lemon juice can effectively sanitize wood utensils and cutting boards. Simply rub half a lemon over the surface, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with hot water to kill bacteria and remove food odors.

Polish Chrome and Aluminum

Polish your metal pots, pans, and chrome kitchen fixtures with lemon juice. The acid in the juice helps break down grime and tarnish, leaving your kitchenware shiny and clean. Just rub the lemon directly onto the metal, then buff with a soft cloth.

Get Stains out of Marble

Though marble is sensitive to acids, a diluted lemon juice solution can help remove stains. Mix lemon juice with baking soda to form a paste, apply it to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

Descale Your Coffee Maker (and Kettle)

Descale your coffee maker or kettle by running a cycle with a mixture of lemon juice and water. This helps to break down mineral deposits and keep your small appliances running smoothly.

Get Stains out of Tupperware

Tupperware is great for housing leftovers, but it stains so easily — especially with tomato-based foods. Remove stubborn stains and odors from Tupperware by applying lemon juice directly to the stained areas. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Clean and Deodorize the Microwave

That microwave can get sticky and smelly fast. To clean and deodorize your microwave, heat a bowl of water with lemon juice for a few minutes. The steam will loosen grime, making it easy to wipe away, and the lemon juice will leave your microwave smelling fresh.

Clean and Deodorize the Garbage Disposal

Another area prone to foul smells, your garbage disposal doesn’t have to stink. Pour lemon juice into your garbage disposal and let it sit for a few minutes before running cold water and turning on the disposal. This will clean and deodorize it, leaving it fresh and free of odors.

Lemon Juice Uses in Laundry

Lemon juice can also be a powerful ally in your laundry room. Its natural bleaching and deodorizing properties make it an excellent addition to your laundry routine. Here are some specific uses:

Remove Yellow Underarm Stains

Say goodbye to yellow underarm stains on white shirts by applying a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to the stains. Let it sit for an hour before washing as usual.

Brighten Your Whites

Add a half-cup of lemon juice to your washing machine’s rinse cycle to brighten whites. The natural bleaching properties of lemon juice can help maintain the brilliance of your white clothes without harsh chemicals.

Other Household Uses for Lemon Juice

Beyond the kitchen and laundry room, lemon juice has several other household applications. Its versatility makes it a must-have for any home committed to natural living. Here are some additional ways to use lemon juice around the house.

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Create a natural, streak-free glass cleaner by mixing lemon juice with water and a little vinegar. Spray it onto windows and mirrors, then wipe with a clean cloth for a sparkling finish.

Natural Air Freshener

Combine lemon juice with water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle to create a natural air freshener. This simple mixture will leave your home smelling fresh and clean.

Alternately, you can simmer lemon slices, lemon peels, or lemon juice with water in a sauce pan for roughly an hour to have your whole house smelling lemony fresh. This is particularly beneficial in homes with heavy food smells, pets, or after you’ve painted your space.

Insect Repellent

Keep insects at bay by spraying lemon juice around doorways and windowsills. The strong citrus scent deters many common pests, providing a natural and safe alternative to chemical repellents.

Clean Stains from the Toilet

Remove tough stains from your toilet bowl by scrubbing with lemon juice and baking soda. The combination is effective at breaking down grime and leaving your toilet sparkling clean.

DIY Furniture Polish

Make a natural furniture polish by mixing lemon juice with olive oil. This solution not only cleans but also conditions wood, leaving it with a beautiful shine.

Bring Hard Paint Brushes Back to Life

Soften and clean hardened paint brushes by soaking them in a mixture of lemon juice and hot water. After a few hours, the bristles should be more pliable and easier to clean.

Ready to Put Lemon Juice to Good Use?

From the kitchen to the laundry room, and throughout your entire home, the uses for lemon juice are nearly endless. Its natural acidity and pleasant fragrance make it an ideal cleaner, deodorizer, and brightener. Embracing these various applications of lemon juice aligns with a natural living philosophy, offering eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions.

So, the next time you have a lemon on hand, remember these tips and make the most of this versatile fruit. Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or freshening up your home, lemon juice is a powerful and natural ally!