Lemon juice is so easy and inexpensive to come by, which is why it is such a great product to use in so many great ways! Just a few drops can pack a huge punch. If life hands you lemons, take a look below at 20 uses for lemon juice that you can try. You won’t believe all of the ways this tart and tangy liquid can be your best friend around the house.
20 Frugal Household Uses for Lemons
1. Add some tang to your tea.
Lemon juice is an instant pick me up for both cold and hot teas. Keep some lemon juice on hand so you can add some flavor and some vitamins the next time you sip tea. If you are dehydrated, lemon is the perfect additive to any beverage to replace vitamin c you may have lost.
2. Whiten your nails.
If you have stained or discolored nails, simply cut a lemon in half and sink your nails into the flesh of it. Allow your nails to soak in the lemon for a few minutes to help remove staining and whiten the tips of your nails naturally.
3. Freshen up your disposal.
To get your garbage disposal smelling great, just cut a lemon into quarters and toss into your garbage disposal with a teaspoon of baking soda. It is sure to smell great.
4. Make your cleaners smell great.
You can add a few teaspoons of lemon juice to any of your household cleaners to make them smell clean and fresh naturally.
5. Banish tablecloth stains.
The next time a grease stain threatens to ruin your tablecloth, simply rub lemon juice on the stain and set it out in the sun for a few hours. Then wash as usual.
6. Get some thrifty highlights.
A little lemon juice on your hair is a great way to add some natural highlights. Just saturate the pieces you wish to lighten and sit in sun or apply the heat of a high dryer to activate the lightening properties.
7. Banish browning apples.
Apply lemon juice to your apple slices (you can just dip the slices in a bowl of lemon juice) to keep them from browning so quickly. A little lemon juice mixed into fruit salad will also keep it from browning.
8. Make your sink shine.
Mix some lemon juice with baking soda and start scrubbing away to make your sink shine and smell fantastic.
9. Freshen up a cutting board.
Get rid of stains and smell when you cut a lemon in half and rub it vigorously over your cutting board. Then, rinse and dry.
10. Get gargling for pain relief.
If you have a sore throat, try gargling some salt water mixed with a few tablespoons of lemon juice.
11. Give aromatherapy a try.
The scent of lemons can help you feel energized and revitalized. Smell fresh lemon juice when you need an instant boost of energy or clarity.
12. Make ants go away.
Put a few drops of lemon juice wherever ants seem to be present. This includes cracks, windows, or other areas that seem to be well traveled by the ants. They won’t like it one bit and will find somewhere else to hang out.
13. Lighten up age spots.
Forget pricey creams, just place some lemon juice on a cotton swab and dab at age spots on your skin. In no time they will start to lighten up.
14. Keep guacamole nice and colorful.
There is nothing appealing about brown guacamole, so add a few drops of lemon juice and stir well so that the dip retains its color.
15. Make your metabolism work harder.
A little lemon juice can give your metabolism a kick start. Add a little lemon juice to your morning glass of water to get your metabolism in gear nice and early.
16. Make glass sparkle.
You can add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your homemade or store bought glass cleaner for a boost of cleaning power and a natural fresh scent. It will do wonders at removing water stains on glass as well.
17. Make your own scalp soother.
A little lemon juice can soothe your scalp and help control dandruff. Add a few drops to your shampoo or just work some raw lemon juice into your scalp and rinse well.
18. Make stainless steel sparkle.
You can clean your stainless steel with pure lemon juice and avoid any harsh chemicals or scratches. Plus, it will clean away any residue and leave it sparkling. Your stainless steel will thank you for it.
19. Keep noodles and rice from sticking.
Swish some lemon juice around in your pot before cooking rice or noodles. This trick will keep them from sticking to the pot as they cook.
20. Get laundry cleaner for less.
Many people swear that by adding a few teaspoons of lemon juice to their wash cycle they get cleaner and fresher clothes. Why not try for yourself? Simply squeeze the half of a lemon into your next load and see how well it works.
Here is a video showing you 8 ways to use lemons around your home:
How do you use lemons?
mjskit says
October 10, 2013 at 2:56 pmDidn’t know the ones about the age spots and the rice/pasta cook pots. Definitely will be given those a try! thanks!
Janet Fazio says
September 24, 2014 at 11:12 amI didn’t know about the pasta and rice trick or the ant deterrent. I will give those a try. Thanks for the tips!
Helen says
December 13, 2014 at 5:46 amTo remove rust stains from fabric, soak stain with lemon juice and place in the sun for 1/2 hour. The stain will dissappear.
M. Clark says
September 10, 2016 at 5:47 pmI think I saw you squeeze a lemon around the tub faucets- mine are rusted- will this help..I use Castille soap because was told I wouldn’t get soap scum, but I do