Tuesday 9 December 2014

57 Genius Uses for Lemons All Over the House

57 Genius Uses for Lemons All Over the House

We're not sure why clunker cars or disappointing appliances are called "lemons." From where we're sitting, these cheery citrus fruits are one of your home's hardest working, most flexible cleaning tools.

Lemons are one of the most versatile fruits on the planet! Not only are lemons amazingly healthy for you but they can clean your house, disinfect a wound and lower your blood pressure! Check out the amazing alternative uses of lemons:

1.Alternative Uses For Lemons It balances pH levels:
Our pH level speaks to the balance between the alkaline and acidic properties in the body. When our body enters a more acidic state, it breeds sickness and disease. This is news to many people, because so often disease feels like an isolated event that can’t be controlled. While there are many factors to disease, controlling what you can is a great way to give your body the attention it deserves. Add more alkaline foods, and your whole body starts to wake up, repair, fight, and become a power-house of healing and rejuvenating. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods around!

2.It aids weight loss:
Did you know that if your body is out of balance it is incredibly difficult to lose weight? Having a happy, healthy body and mind is one of the fastest ways to weight loss. A more alkaline diet makes for a happier person, and  people with more alkaline diets tend to lose weight faster. Also, lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps set your body back to normal hunger levels. On board yet? If not, don’t worry there are two more genius benefits coming your way.

3.It improves digestion:
The way your gut processes food has everything to do with  yep, you guessed it  your happiness! A clogged or misfiring digestive tract usually indicates a bigger problem in the body. Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials, and encourages the production of bile in your body. This synergistic effect helps to soothe and normalize the the body’s digestive process.

4.Disinfect cuts and scrapes:
Stop bleeding and disinfect minor cuts and scraps by pouring a few drops of lemon juice directly on the cut. You can also apply the juice with a cotton ball and hold firmly in place for one minute. This is a great alternative use for lemon.

5.It’s a great source of vitamin C:
Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for giving our body the immune boost it needs to stay in check. When vitamin C levels are low, little to no repair happens in the body. These citrus delights are also high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium helps reduce free radicals, increases red blood cell production and controls blood pressure. What does all this mean in real-talk?  More energy, clearer skin, anti-aging properties, less sickness, less stress, and more focus! Take advantage of this excellent alternative use for lemon.

6.Soothe poison ivy rash:
You won’t need an ocean of calamine lotion the next time poison ivy comes a-creeping. Just apply lemon juice directly to the affected area to soothe itching and alleviate the rash.

7.Purges The Blood:
We consume a lot of junk food or food with a lot of preservatives and artificial flavours. This builds up a lot of toxins in the blood and body but daily consumption of lemon water helps to purify the blood.

8.Anti-Aging:
Lemon water reduces the production of free radicals which are responsible for aging skin and skin damage. Lemon water is calorie free and an antioxidant.

9.Mental Health:
Lemon water can also prep up your mood and relieve you from depression and stress. Long distance walkers and world travelers as well as explorers look upon the lemon as a Godsend. When fatigue begins, a lemon is sucked through a hole in the top. Quick acting medicine it is, giving almost unbelievable refreshments.

10.Soften dry, scaly elbows:
Itchy elbows are bad enough, but they look terrible too. For better looking (and feeling) elbows, mix baking soda and lemon juice to make an abrasive paste, then rub it into your elbows for a soothing, smoothing, and exfoliating treatment.

11.Sore Throat:
There’s nothing like a Hot Toddy for a sore throat, but you don’t have to have the whiskey. A freshly squeezed lemon in a cup of hot water will also do the trick. I like to add honey, which sweetens the drink and is another natural germ killer.

12.Relieve rough hands and sore feet:
Rinse your extremities in a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and water, then massage with olive oil and dab dry with a soft cloth.

13.High Blood Pressure:
Lemon contains potassium which controls high blood pressure and reduces the effect of nausea and dizziness.

14.Remove warts:
You’ve tried countless remedies to banish warts and nothing seems to work. Next time, apply a dab of lemon juice directly to the wart using a cotton swab. Repeat for several days until the acids in the lemon juice dissolve the wart completely.

15.Skin Care:
For dry skin, you can use a lemon-sugar scrub, or rub a cut lemon on particularly dry areas, such as knees, elbows, or heels. Be careful when applying to cracked skin. You can also make your own detoxifying body wash.

16.Cough Medicine:
To make a natural cough syrup, mix 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 cup honey, and 1/2 cup olive oil. Take a teaspoon every 2 hours as needed.

17.Respiratory Problems:
Lemon water can reduce phlegm; and can also help you breathe properly and aids a person suffering with asthma.

18.Treating Arthritis and Rheumatism:
Lemon is a diuretic assists in the production of urine which helps you to reduce inflammation by flushing out toxins and bacteria while also giving you relief from arthritis and rheumatism.

19.Prevents Kidney Stones:
Regular consumption of the refreshing drink  or even lemon juice mixed with water  may increase the production of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation of crystals that may build up into kidney stones.
20.Create blonde highlights:
For salon-worthy highlights, add 1/4 cup lemon juice to 3/4 cup water and rinse your hair with the mixture. Then, sit in the sun until your hair dries. To maximize the effect, repeat once daily for up to a week. Don’t forget to put on plenty of sunscreen before you sit out in the sun.

21.Clean and whiten nails:
Pamper your hands without a manicurist. Add the juice of 1/2 lemon to 1 cup warm water and soak your fingertips in the mixture for 5 minutes. After pushing back the cuticles, rub some lemon peel back and forth against the nail.

22.Lighten age spots:
Why buy expensive creams when you’ve got lemon juice? To lighten liver spots or freckles, try applying lemon juice directly to the area. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse your skin clean. It’s a safe and effective skin-lightening agent.

23.Cleanse your face:
Zap zits naturally by dabbing lemon juice on blackheads to draw them out during the day. You can also wash your face with lemon juice for a natural cleanse and exfoliation. Your skin should improve after several days of treatment.

24.Freshen your breath:
Make an impromptu mouthwash by rinsing with lemon juice straight from the bottle. Swallow for longer-lasting fresh breath. The citric acid in the juice alters the pH level in your mouth, killing bacteria that causes bad breath. Rinse after a few minutes because long-term exposure to the acid in lemons can harm tooth enamel.

25.Treat flaky dandruff:
If itchy, scaly dandruff has you scratching your head, relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator. Just massage two tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir one teaspoon lemon juice into one cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat daily until your dandruff disappears.

26.Relieve a Bee Sting:
Lemon juice neutralizes venom from bee, wasp, and hornet stings. Make sure to remove the stinger first. **If you’re allergic to stings, please go to your nearest emergency room instead. with lemon juice. Apply the lemon juice while the stain is till wet. Wash in laundry as usual.

27.Stop Bleeding:
Use lemon juice to stop the bleeding of minor wounds. Ouch. That sounds like it may sting. I haven’t heard nor tried this before.

28.Reduce Fever:
Leaves from lemon trees are used to reduce fever. Mix 1 cup boiling water to 3 tsp dried lemon leaves, and allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups per day for each day the fever persists. The same recipe can also be used to treat cramps and insomnia. Sweeten the tea with honey to treat asthma.

29.Keep Insects Out of the Kitchen:
You don’t need insecticides or ant traps to ant-proof your kitchen. Just give it the lemon treatment. First squirt some lemon juice on door thresholds and windowsills. Then squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Finally, scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance. The ants will get the message that they aren’t welcome. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas: Simply mix the juice of 4 lemons (along with the rinds) with 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water and wash your floors with it; then watch the fleas and roaches flee. They hate the smell.

30.Fruit and Vegetable Wash:
You never know what kind of pesticides or dirt may be lurking on the skin of your favorite fruits and vegetables. Slice your lemon and squeeze out one tablespoon of lemon juice into your spray bottle. The lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and will leave your fruits and vegetables smelling nice too.

31.Freshen the Fridge:
Remove refrigerator odors with ease. Dab lemon juice on a cotton ball or sponge and leave it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to toss out any malodorous items that might be causing the bad smell.

32.Prevent Cauliflower From Turning Brown:
Cauliflower tend to turn brown with even the slightest cooking. You can make sure the white vegetables stay white by squeezing a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice on them before heating

33.Refresh Cutting Boards:
No wonder your kitchen cutting board smells! After all, you use it to chop onions, crush garlic, and prepare fish. To get rid of the smell and help sanitize the cutting board, rub it all over with the cut side of half a lemon or wash it in undiluted juice straight from the bottle.

34.Lemon Cubes:
You can freeze fresh-squeezed lemon juice in ice cube trays to preserve in small amounts. It’s nice to have on hand when you forget to buy lemon for a recipe and don’t want to go to the store for one item.

35.Removing Strong Odors:
When I worked in produce, we would squirt some lemon juice in the sinks or over the compost whenever there were some funky smells in the prep room. To remove odors from garbage disposals, you can drop in leftover lemon peels (make sure the pieces are small or they will get caught). Rub lemon juice into cutting boards that have retained strong odors or stains, and clean with soap and water. For the fridge, pour some lemon juice on a sponge or cloth and place it in the fridge until the smell goes away.

36.Natural Cleaner:
Lemon juice works as a natural household cleaner. You can use lemon juice or squeeze a lemon directly on kitchen or bathroom surfaces, and wipe them with a wet cloth to remove the sticky residue. For stains and really dirty areas, mix in some vinegar and water with the lemon juice.

37.Bathroom Stains:
It may take a little extra scrubbing, but you can remove water stains, soap scum, and limescale naturally with lemon juice. Use a lemon, water, and vinegar mixture for tough stains on your shower walls or tub.

38.Laundry Detergent:
You don’t need bleach or chemicals to brighten your whites. Try using lemon juice instead of detergent for cleaner and naturally scented clothes. Lemon juice is also good for removing stains. You can directly apply lemon juice to the spot before washing it, or for bigger stains, it is recommended to soak the clothing in a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and lemon juice.

39.Natural Preservative:
For fresh-cut fruit or veggies, squeeze a fresh lemon over them to prevent browning. This is another reason many guacamole recipes call for lime; in addition to the flavor, it keeps the guac from turning brown when you store it.

40.Prevent potatoes from turning brown:
Potatoes and cauliflower tend to turn brown when boiling, especially when you’re having company for dinner. You can make sure the white vegetables stay white by squeezing a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice into the cooking water.
41.Keep guacamole green:
You’ve been making guacamole all day long for the big party, and you don’t want it to turn brown on top before the guests arrive. The solution: Sprinkle a liberal amount of fresh lemon juice over it and it will stay fresh and green. The flavor of the lemon juice is a natural complement to the avocados in the guacamole. Make the fruit salad hours in advance too. Just squeeze some lemon juice onto the apple slices, and they’ll stay snowy white.

42.Make soggy lettuce crisp:
Don’t toss that soggy lettuce into the garbage. With the help of a little lemon juice you can toss it in a salad instead. Add the juice of half a lemon to a bowl of cold water. Then put the soggy lettuce in it and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make sure to dry the leaves completely before putting them into salads or sandwiches.

43.Keep rice from sticking:
To keep your rice from sticking together in a gloppy mass, add a spoonful of lemon juice to the boiling water when cooking. When the rice is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

44.Remove berry stains:
It sure was fun to pick your own berries, but now your fingers are stained with berry juice that won’t come off no matter how much you scrub with soap and water. Try washing your hands with undiluted lemon juice, then wait a few minutes and wash with warm, soapy water. Repeat until your hands are stain-free.

45.Polish chrome:
Get rid of mineral deposits and polish chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome. Simply rub lemon rind over the chrome and watch it shine! Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.

46.Cuts the Smell:
Add lemon juice to smelly vegetables like collards and cabbage when cooking. This will reduce or eliminate their odor.

47.Freshen your microwave:
Make the interior easier to wipe down by heating a cup of water and a chopped-up lemon on high until the microwave's window is steamy. Let the bowl sit for 15 minutes before you open the door, and clean away any grime and grease with ease.

48.De-stink the garbage disposal:
Run a few lemon rinds through the disposal and follow with cold water to dispel any sour odors.

49.Remove stains from linens:
This tip is safe for even delicate or vintage fabrics: Treat a set-in stain with lemon juice and salt. Let the mixture sit for a half hour, then rinse with vinegar and warm water.

50.Get stains out of a cutting board or butcher block:
Run the cut side of a lemon over the board to remove food stains and smells. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle it with salt or baking soda first. If your stains are particularly stubborn, let everything sit overnight before you rinse with water. Wipe wooden boards with mineral oil to seal.

51.Get rid of tarnish on brass:
Sprinkle tarnished spots with salt, and then lightly rub with a sponge dampened with lemon juice. Rinse with water and dry well.

52.Remove a rust stain from fabric:
Try the trusty lemon juice-and-salt combo to fight these tricky stains. Let the item sit in the sun as it dries, and reapply the mixture as needed until the spot disappears.

53.Shine chrome bathroom fixtures:
Run the cut side of a lemon over faucets, drains, and more to remove mineral deposits and make 'em sparkle. Rinse and dry thoroughly when you're done.

54.Remove T-shirt sweat stains:
Fight those troublesome set-in stains by rubbing them with lemon juice (vinegar works well, too) before you toss the clothing in the wash.

55.Kill weeds:
Spray any garden offenders with a little lemon juice to banish them from your yard. But keep the juice away from the plants you want to keep  the acidity could damage or kill flowers and bushes, too.

56.Create a makeshift scented humidifier:
Simmer a saucepan of water and some lemon slices (and other aromatics, if you like) to combat dry indoor air, and make your home smell nice in one punch.

57.Clean a cheese grater:
Can't free the last bits of cheddar from your grater's holes? Run the flesh side of cut lemon over the tool to help cut through and free the residue.

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