Lemon: the all-purpose cleaner

Lemons and lemon juice are popular additions to environmentally friendly cleaning applications.

Lemons are used in a wide variety of food and drink, but we often forget about the cleaning power of this fruit. The low pH makes it antibacterial. The juice consists of about 5 percent acid, which also makes it useful for a variety of household purposes.

Lemons and lemon juice are popular additions to environmentally friendly cleaning applications, such as the following:

All purpose cleaner — Add equal amounts of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle for a general kitchen/bathroom cleaner.

Glass and mirrors — Add four tablespoons of lemon juice to a half a gallon of water to make an effective window cleaner.

Microwave — Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices in the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute; then wipe out the oven. This will neutralize food odors and clean dirty spots.

Refrigerator — Store half a lemon in your fridge to help control and eliminate unpleasant smells.

Chrome/copper/brass — Rub lemon juice and baking soda paste onto the metal, rinse and then wipe/buff with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Lime scale — Use a half lemon to clean the lime scale off of sinks or faucets; rinse well.

Dishes — Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your dishwashing detergent to help cut grease.

Chopping boards — Rub lemon juice into your wooden chopping board, leave overnight and then rinse. It will help kill germs and neutralize odors.

Garbage disposal — Grind up lemon peels from time to time to keep it smelling fresh.

Degreaser — Use straight lemon juice as a general degreaser.

Drains — Mix baking soda and hot lemon juice for use as a drain cleaner. This is safe to use in septic systems.

Toilet — Mix 1/2 cup of borax and one cup of lemon juice for an extra clean-smelling toilet cleaner.

Furniture — Mix two parts olive oil or cooking oil with one part lemon juice and use to polish furniture.

Laundry — Bleach clothes by adding 1/2 cup of lemon juice to your washing machine’s rinse cycle; then hang garments outside to dry. A teaspoon of lemon juice to your wash can also make your clothes smell fresher.

Air freshener — Add equal amounts of lemon juice and water to an atomizer and spray to freshen your home.

Sources: www.mnn.com, www.ivillage.com and www.allyou.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 31, Number 3, June/July 2012.