When Life Hands You Lemons…Clean House

Nothing says clean quite like the refreshing smell of citrus. This spring, turn to the versatile lemon for some natural and inexpensive cleaning help. There are dozens of jobs it can handle.

Note that you will get more juice if the lemons are room temperature or microwaved for a few seconds. You can also roll the lemon with your palm – on the counter or a table. Since lemons are acidic, spot test your cleaning first in areas that won’t show, and don’t use lemon on delicate stone such as marble or on stainless steel.

Continued from previous...

Need a break from straight water? Make your own beverages using more natural ingredients.

These drinks use less sugar and rely more on spices, herbs and fresh fruits to add flavor and sweetness.

• “Spa water.” Add citrus fruit slices, crushed herbs such as mint, sliced and peeled fresh ginger, cucumber or watermelon slices to cold water.

• Hot or Iced tea. Use green or black tea, fruit or spice-flavored herbal teas. Add a teaspoon of sugar or honey, if you need a little sweetness.

• Coffee, hot or iced. Just hold the extra ingredients and toppings. As with tea, a small spoon of sugar is acceptable.

• Sparkling water with juice. For every 12 ounces of unsweetened sparkling water, add one or two ounces of 100% fruit juice.

• Fresh fruit coolers (instead of smoothies). Blend ¾ cup of plain sparkling water with ½ c of ice and 1/3 cup berries or melon. Garnish with mint leaves or citrus fruit slices.

• Miso soup (fermented soybean paste) or low-sodium broth. Choose broth that has less than 200mg sodium/serving or low-sodium miso.

Prevent Falls

• Keep ants away by pouring lemon juice in areas where they congregate.
• Freshen the air with a homemade spray made with equal parts lemon juice and water. Use an atomizer to disperse.
• An all purpose cleaner – for kitchen, bathroom and walls - can be made with equal parts lemon juice and water. (Remember to spot test on walls.) If you use vinegar as a cleaner, but don’t like the strong smell, add a lemon juice to neutralize the odor.
• Microwave a bowl of water with lemon slices for up to one minute. Wipe out the oven.
• Eliminate refrigerator smells by keeping half a lemon in the fridge.
• Clean the toilet with a mixture of 1/2 cup borax and 1 cup lemon juice.
• Bleach the stains out of white clothing and linens with lemon juice, then sun dry them.
• Toss a teaspoon of lemon juice into your wash for fresher smelling clothes.
• Mix hot lemon juice and baking soda for a drain cleaner that’s safe for septic systems.
• Get rid of that garbage disposal smell by throwing in some lemon peel.
• Make your own window and glass cleaner by adding about 4 tablespoons of lemon juice to a half gallon of water.
• Relieve the itching and discomfort of poison ivy or wasp stings by applying lemon juice.
• Squeeze a half lemon onto light wood or plastic cutting boards to remove tough food stains. Rub the lemon into the surface and let it stand for 20 minutes before rinsing.
• Get rid of the odor of raw fish on your hands by rubbing them with lemon juice.
• Rub lemon juice on faucets to fight lime scale buildup. Leave it overnight, then wipe faucets with a damp cloth.

Sources: About.com, Green living tips