20 Amazing Household Uses for Lemons

20. Brighten Fingernails

If your nails are looking dull and maybe somewhat yellow, lemon juice is your go-to cure. All you need to do is squeeze a lemon into a small dish and soak your nails in the juice for 3-5 minutes. Not only will the lemon juice leave your nails brighter than before, but your nails will be stronger as well. Some women swear by adding a few drops of olive oil to the lemon juice for an added strengthening effect.

19. Homemade Preservative

One way to keep your fruits and vegetables fresh at home and not turning brown is by squeezing a little lemon juice on them. Perfect for apples, pears and avocados, you’ll never have to worry about serving a fruit salad that looks like it experienced a nuclear blast ever again. Plus, who wants to eat brown guacamole?

18. Deodorant

While this may seem super strange, lemon actually works as a great emergency deodorant. All you need to do is rub a wedge under your arms, and the citric acid within the juice will kill any odor-causing bacteria. Some people are actually throwing out their normal deodorants for this method; however, we think we’ll stick to Old Spice for now.

17. Garbage Disposal Odor Destroyer

Sometimes the garbage disposal can really stink. This is due to the bacteria that begins to grow when it’s not cleaned out properly. While most recommend the vinegar and baking soda method, it honestly leaves you with a kitchen smelling like rotten eggs. Thankfully, there’s lemon to the rescue! All you need to do is cut up a lemon, put it down your garbage disposal and turn it on. The citric acid will kill the bacteria causing the odor and you’ll be left with a fresh smelling disposal.

16. Insect Repellent

Here’s the deal—Raid is nasty. It smells and honestly it doesn’t always keep the bugs away. However, lemons can be an all-natural solution. Since insects are super sensitive to smell, all you need to do is spray lemon juice around your windowsills, door frames and baseboards. Another method is to stick cloves into a lemon and place it in the areas you wish to scare off bugs. Regardless of which method you choose, we promise you’ll be bug-free!

15. Clean Glass

If you’re looking for a Windex alternative, lemon juice will do the trick. It easily removes hard water stains and fingerprints from glass, so you’re left with crystal clear windows and sliding glass doors. We must warn you though, the newfound transparency of your glass might end with a few birds knocked unconscious.

14. Remove Stains

Whether it’s spilled fruit juice or wine, a paste of lemon juice and salt will work wonders when it comes to stain removal. Simply rub the paste into the stain until it’s saturated and then throw the article of clothing into the washing machine. The fabric will be good as new! You have to see it to believe it.

13. Remove Age Spots

Now this may be an old wives’ tale, but some women swear by the fact that lemon juice can reduce the appearance of age spots. All you need to do is apply lemon juice to a cotton ball and rub it over your problem areas daily. Not only will your skin be brighter, but the citric acid will reduce the appearance of pores as well.

12. Toilet Cleaner

Do You have some stubborn stains in your toilet bowl? Well, have no fear lemons are here! All you need to do is mix some lemon juice with household borax and apply it to your toilet bowl with a scrub brush. Not only will it remove stains, but your toilet will be so bright you’ll need sunglasses the next time you head into the bathroom.

11. Sore Throat Remedy

Sometimes throat drops just don’t do the trick when it comes to a sore throat, so why not try lemon? All you need is a teaspoon of lemon juice in a cup of hot water and then gargle. The warm water mixed with citric acid will shrink the swollen throat tissue and kill bacteria. You can also add honey for a more soothing effect.

10. Dandruff Treatment

Tired of flakes on your shoulders and falling out of your hair? Well, lemon juice can be a quick solution. All you need to do is massage the lemon juice into your scalp and let it soak for ten to fifteen minutes. Once the time is up, shampoo as normal and you’ll be flake free.

9. Polish Metal

If you want to get your pots and pans, as well as stainless steel ranges shiny and grime-free, simply slice a lemon in half, dip it in salt and begin scrubbing. It’s really that easy and results are absolutely effortless.

8. Sticky Rice No More

Have you ever cooked rice only to find that most of it ends up sticking to the pot? Well, we’ve got you covered. All you need to do is add a few drops of lemon juice to the rice while it’s cooking and it will NOT stick to the pot! Can you believe it?

7. Hair Highlights

If you’re looking for some cheap natural highlights for your hair, some lemon juice will do the trick. All you need to do is spray lemon juice to the areas you’re hoping to achieve highlights and then lay out in the sun for a few hours. However, it’s important to note that highlight intensity will depend on your hair color as well as its texture, so don’t expect it to rival a professional dye job.

6. Brightens Laundry

Sick and tired of your washing machine dulling your laundry? All you need to do is add a quarter cup of lemon juice to your whites and you’ve got a safe all-natural alternative to bleach. Besides brightening, the juice can also remove those pesky tough to remove stains. Cool, right?

5. Quick Heartburn Relief

If you’re someone who dislikes taking medications, and suffer from heartburn, lemon juice can provide you some sweet relief. All you need to do is drink some lemon juice mixed with water and it will balance out the pH levels in your stomach. Thank God for citric acid!

4. Furniture Scratch Removal

There’s nothing worse than getting scratches on your furniture. Besides being unsightly, most can be impossible to remove. However, lemon juice mixed with salad oil can be a remedy. Simply mix the ingredients together, soak a cloth and wipe the scratches. You’ll be amazed at how your furniture looks good as new.

3. Fix Hardened Paintbrushes

Renewing hardened paintbrushes has never been so easy. All you need to do is dip the brushes in boiling lemon juice and then lower the heat for about 15-20 minutes. After they’ve soaked, wash the brushes in soapy water and they will be as good as new.

2. DIY Air Freshener

If you’re sick of the chemical smell of aerosol air fresheners, why not try this great do-it-yourself recipe. All you do is slice lemons and let them simmer in water on your stove. The fresh lemon scent will overtake your home leaving it fresh like a sunny spring day!

1. Reduce Cutting Board Smells

Using a wood cutting board can leave you with a VERY smelly kitchen due to the fact the wood absorbs the items you cut on it despite how many times you wash it. Thankfully, we have a quick solution. Simply rub a lemon wedge over the cutting board and let it dry. The wood will absorb the lemon juice, leaving it fresh and smelling good as new.