Every time I water my beee-autiful Meyer Lemon tree, I start to daydream about all of the ways to use the lemons. And while right now, I can’t imagine not using my lemons to create something totally delicious, there are ton of practical uses for lemons.
Here’s 10 cool ways to put lemons to work:
- Degrease your pans. Squeeze a little lemon juice in the pan and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. For really stubborn/thick grease, add a little salt to the lemon mixture and gently rub the pan with a paper towel.
- Use as a natural bleach for laundry. Add 1/2 cup to laundry during the rinse cycle and BOOM! Brighter whites.
- Lighten hair without harsh chemicals. Juice lemons, apply to hair, and then take a magazine out to bask in the sun for a bit. The lemon and sun will gradually lighten your hair.
- Clean and deodorize your microwave. Put 3 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Wipe the inside down with a cloth.
- Keep fruits and guacamole from browning. Squeeze a little lemon juice in guacamole or sliced apples to keep discoloration at bay.
- Freshen and sharpen your disposal. Toss old lemon peels in the disposal and let them go for a spin. You will be able to smell the fresh lemon scent right away.
- Dab on age spots, freckles, scars, etc. to lighten discoloration on skin.
- Disinfect and deodorize cutting boards. Just cut a lemon in half and run the cut side across the board–wipe with a clean damp cloth.
- Use as an air freshener and winter humidifier. Add juiced lemon and peels to a pot of water and simmer. The whole house will smell uh-mazing.
- Keep cats out of your garden. Grind up lemon peels and sprinkle them around the garden. Cats hate citrus smells.
How about you, do you use lemons for anything besides eating?
~Mavis
The Lemon Book – Natural Recipes and Preparations
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Kendra says
Do you know if the tree is supposed to produce lemons this first year? I bought the same size tree as you and am hoping to get some lovely fruit 🙂 Right now I have some buds on it (although my husband likes to point out that the tree came with them).
Mavis says
I’m not sure if it is or not Kendra. I hope so though.
Susan Reid says
We clean the BBQ plate with half a lemon, then wipe with paper towel.
L. OCOnnor says
DO NOT try to lighten dark hair with lemon juice, unless of course you had hopes of looking something like Carrot Top, or a California Poppy. Did this in Jr. High. It was a looong year waiting for that to grow out.
Anne says
Do lemons keep any other critters out of the garden, like squirrels? Inquiring minds want to know!
connie says
unless I had a lemon tree, with the costs of lemons now, I hoard my 7 dollar bag for my lemon water and cooking only….dang I remember the days when those bags were 2 dollars a piece:( I told my husband yesterday, its like buying a steak these days…..