10 Unexpected Uses of Lemons – #9 is interesting

Why do lemons get such a bad reputation? Usually, when people buy a car that turns out to be a piece of junk, they often refer to it as ‘being sold a lemon.’ Also, there are many references about life giving you lemons when bad things happen to someone. Ironically, lemons have countless of great uses for them and can be used to help you around the house in so many ways. After reading this great list of what you can do with lemons, you will want to keep them in your kitchen everyday.

When life gives you lemons… here are ten uses for them.

1. Refrigerator Freshener

Many people use baking soda in their refrigerators as a way to help them remove bad odors or smells. However, lemon can work even better when it comes to removing unpleasant smells in your fridge. You can take some lemon juice and use a cotton ball or a sponge to absorb it. Place the lemon soaked item in the refrigerator for several hours so it can counter the odors you’re trying to get rid of. You can also do the same for your trash cans as a way to get rid of unpleasant odors there.

2. For Nails

If you have nails which are dry and/or brittle, mix lemon juice with olive oil and soak them into a basin. After soaking rinse them and optionally apply cuticle oil. Lemon juice is known to whiten nails and remove any stains.

3. Respiratory Problems

For people who suffer from asthma or have a congested chest, drinking lemon water will help reduce the amount and level of phlegm in their bodies. If you have a cold or sore throat, then sucking on a lemon or drinking the juice will also help. Lemons work great due to their antibacterial properties.

4. Teeth Whitener

Combining some baking soda and lemon juice, can give you a million dollar smile, and whiter teeth. The chemical reaction from lemon juice and baking soda has a teeth-brightening effect. You can either apply the mixture paste with a Q-tip, or a tooth brush. Still, keep in mind that using either of them too much, whether alone or combined, can end up wearing away the tooth enamel. Also, never leave the mixture on your teeth longer than a minute.

5. Clean Household Items

Kitchen items such as cutting boards, rolling pins and other wooden kitchen tools are magnets for germs and bad odors. But lemons can quickly combat this problem since they kill both bacteria and bad odors. Simply rub a 1/2 of a lemon all over each item after you have washed it. Let it sit for at least 20 to 30 minutes. After the time has elapsed, simply rinse the lemon juice off the kitchen utensils and dry.

6. Food Preservative

Believe it not, lemon can actually help other fruits and foods last longer. How ironic is that? Adding a little lemon juice to your potatoes, apples, pears and cauliflower will keep the fruits from browning. You can also preserve your guacamole longer by adding lemon juice as well. The citric acid in the lemons will keep the foods from turning brown.

7. All-Purpose Cleaner

You can make a lemon-based all-purpose cleaner with lemon juice and water that can replace most chemical filled, harsh cleaners. Rubbing lemon directly on to shower handles, faucets and other metals, will keep them free of bacteria. It also removes grime and gunk. you can even use it as an alternative to bleach to help brighten your whites. Adding a cup of lemon juice will do wonders for your laundry.

8. Keep Kitty Out

Cat lovers adore their pets. But they can sometimes get into places they are not welcomed in, such as the kitchen countertops, Christmas tree or the baby area. Even though lemon smells great to humans, the odor is very repulsive to cats. If you add some lemon juice in a bottle, spray all the areas you don’t want your cat getting into, it will do the job. A little bit of lemon spray a day, can keep kitty cat away. You can also use it to repel roaches, moths and ants too.

9. Lemon Juice as Natural Deodorant

Lemon juice can be used as a natural deodorant and is in fact quite effective. The method is to rub your armpit with half a lemon, just before you finish taking a shower and leave it there for about 5 minutes. Then wash it off with water to remove the juice. You will notice that it prevents bad odors for hours and leaves a fresh smell.

10. Skin Care

There’s an awesome, natural do-it-yourself facial mask to help you take care of your skin. Combining lemon with honey will do wonders for the health of your facial surface. The antiseptic properties found in the honey, help prevent acne, while it moisturizes your skin. At the same time, the vitamin C from the lemon, can greatly brighten it. For best results, leave the mask on your skin for at least 20 minutes. This treatment, will also work very well against blackheads.