Lemons are a go-to for your life hacks thanks to all the different ways they can be used.
Words: Katie Kuo
Cooking
Lemons are a great addition to many types of dishes in the kitchen — from sweet to savoury to salads. They’re a great addition for baking and desserts. Think delicious lemon slices, cakes and beverages. It’s perfect as a zest on top of dishes, and can be drizzled on top of seafood or made into a sauce.
Cleaning
Lemons are a natural antibacterial bleach, especially great for cleaning surfaces. They’re a great natural solution for cleaning as they can disinfect, sterilize and deodorize surfaces, from your microwave and stove to your oven and kitchen sinks.
Skincare
Lemon scrub can be used on your legs as an exfoliant, as it can help combat dry and itchy skin, especially during winter. Lemons are high in vitamin C, which helps to reduce the melanin production in your skin. They are also known for assisting with lightening of age spots and reducing acne scars.
Repel insects
Due to its acidic nature, lemons can help keep insects at bay. Place small slices of lemon by cracks and corners around the house where ants and other pesky bugs may be lurking.
Make dried lemon peels
The peel of the lemons contains oils that are packed with the lemon’s scent. You can use them for crafts, decorations, fragrance, baked goods, tea or other recipes. Place the lemon peels in a dehydrator for several hours to ensure they are properly dried.
Whiten your clothes
Removing stains can become a breeze with the help of a lemon. They’re an all-natural solution to whitening whites and removing stains.
Wash your veges
Put lemon juice in a spray bottle for washing your fresh fruits and vegetables. Spray the produce, and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly with cold water.
Keep guacamole fresh
Squeeze half a lemon into guacamole to keep it green for another day or two in the fridge. The lemon juice can help keep the smashed avocado fresh for a little longer.
Soothe a sore throat
Lemon, honey and warm water is a common drink for those times when you’re feeling run down. It’s a comforting drink that can soothe the throat, and it is also used in throat lozenges.
Sanitize your chopping boards
The natural acidity from the lemon gives it antibacterial properties that are great for cleaning. Use half a lemon and wipe down the chopping board with the lemon juice leaving it for a few minutes before rinsing.
