Using Lemons for a Better Home
The fresh scent of lemon is just one of the benefits of the brightly colored citrus fruit. Originating in India, lemon trees wee originally cultivated for their ornamental beauty. Today, lemons come in handy for a host of uses, both culinary and practical.
CULINARY
Lemon juice will prevent potatoes and cauliflower from becoming discolored while cooking— simply add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to the water it is cooked in.
The acidic properties of lemon juice also prevent apples and avocadoes from becoming discolored when exposed to air. Preserve their original briht color by sprinkling the fruit with lemon juice when making fruit salad or guacamole.
1 teaspoon of lemon juice added to water will help prevent rice from sticking and clumping together.
If a recipe calls for buttermilk and you don’t have any on hand, you can substitute 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
Revive wilted lettuce by submerging the greens in a bowl of cold water with the juice of half a lemon. Place lettuce in the refrigerator for 1 hour, then remove, dry, and use for salad or sandwiches.
HOUSEHOLD
Lemon with olive oil is one of the best ways to clean and preserve wood furniture. You can make your own fresh preparation by mixing the juice of one lemon, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon water. Apply a thin coat to furniture and buff and shine.
Lemon juice’s natural bleaching power can be used to clean the grout around tiles. Mix lemon juice and water together and apply to grout using a toothbrush.
To remove mieral deposits and odors in a dishwasher, place ¼ cup of lemon uice in the soap dispenser and run the dishwasher on a normal cycle- it will not only be clean, it will smell wonderful!
To eliminate odors in your humidifier, pour three or four tablespoons of lemon juice into the water.
To remove the smell of garlic or onion from your hands, rub them with a slice of lemon and rinse. Lemon juice will also help remove fruit and berry stains from skin.
A paste of lemon juice and salt (or lemon juice and baking soda) will remove tarnish from brass, copper, or stainless steel. Coat the affected area and leave the paste on for 5 minutes. Then wash in warm water, rinse, and polish dry. You can use the same mixture to clean stainless steel kitchen sinks as well. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse.
Lemon juice can be used as a natural bleach and stain remover. To remove fruit, baby formula stains, or rust on colored clothing, mix a paste of cream of tartar and lemon juice. After checking the fabric for colorfastness, apply the mixture and let it set for 15 to 30 minutes. When stain is lifted, launder as usual.
For whites that can’t be bleached, use lemon juice as a milder alternative. Add ¼ cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle.
Lemon juice acts as a natural ant repellent, as ants, roaches and other insects do not like the scent of lemon. Squirt lemon juice on thresholds and windowsills, and squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks through which the ants can enter. Scatter small slices of lemon peel around door entrances. Wash your counters and floors with a mixture of a half-gallon of water and the juice and rinds of 4 lemons.
If you want to get rid of fruit flies, put slices of lemon on different places on the table or countertop.
PERSONAL CARE
To stop bleeding and disinfect minor wounds, pour lemon juice on a cut or apply with a cottom ball.
Lemon juice can relieve the itching of poison ivy. Apply lemon juice over the affected areas to soothe and alleviate the rash.
Lemon juice has long been popular as a means of gently lightening freckles and other skin blemishes.
Dry and achy hands and feet can be relieved with a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil. Use to massage and soften the skin.