Surprising Uses For Lemons

When life gives you lemons, polish your chrome. Okay, so that’s not quite as catchy as the old lemonade saying, but there are just so many uses for lemons that we think it would be a shame to assume they are good for nothing but refreshing drinks and tasty desserts.

Especially because lemon trees are prolific producers of fruit. A single, mature tree can provide up to 270 kgs every year!

We don't about you, but that might be more lemonade and citrus slice than we really need to consume.

So, let’s put all that citrusy goodness to use by finding out all the unexpected ways in which lemons can be used.

Surprising Uses For Lemons

Repel Insects

Yup, as much as we love the fresh, bright aroma of lemon, many insects hate it. Rather than using harsh pesticides, try putting lemon juice in a spray bottle and squirting it around problem areas, doors and windows to keep ants and other creepy crawlies away. It makes everything smell nice and is safer for pets than using other chemical based sprays.

Get Some Sparkle In Your Life

Who doesn't love a gleaming chrome appliance or fitting in their house? Until it gets grubby and scummy, that is. Lemon is fantastic at restoring the sparkle into chrome. A quick wipe and polish will restore that lovely, shiny gleam.

Get Polishing

Chrome is not the only thing that you can polish up. If you have a shabby pair of leather shoes lying around that have seen better days, try giving them a polish with lemon to get them spick and span. Mix 2 tsp of fresh lemon juice with 3 tbsp of olive oil, and start polishing!

This mixture also works well to bring the shine back to wooden furniture.

Unstick Your Rice

Not a fan of clumpy, sticky rice? Because let’s be honest, who is? Prevent gluggy rice by adding 1 tbsp of lemon juice to your rice water while it’s cooking. It also gives boring old rice a rejuvenated flavour and adds a little something to your whole dish.

Lighten Up

Fancy some highlights in your hair but don’t have time for a trip to the hairdresser? Lemon can naturally lighten your crowning glory. Put the juice into a small spray bottle and apply to your hair, then relax in the sun for 30 minutes. The more you repeat the process, the lighter your locks will get. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Be A Secret Agent

Need a rainy day activity for the kids, or want to send a top-secret love note to your spouse? Go undercover by using a paintbrush or cotton bud to write on paper using lemon juice. Hold the paper next to a lightbulb or use a hot iron to reveal the hidden message.

Get Rid Of Foul Smells

Whether it's the cat's litter box, some dodgy trash, or another mysterious odour, lemon can help disguise it and leave your house smelling fresh and uplifting. Throw lemon peels in the garbage disposal and run it with water, toss a few skins in the trash, or strategically leave half lemons lying around the house.

Make Your Whites Whiter

Forget those ads for special stain removers! Instead, try mixing baking soda and lemon juice in water and soak your whites for 30 minutes before you wash them. For serious stains, scrub them directly with a lemon wedge!

Save Your Food

To prevent cut apples, pears and avocados from going brown, apply lemon to the cut surfaces. You can also squirt lemon juice over cauliflower before cooking to keep it white.

Got some wilted lettuce? Add lemon juice to a bowl of water, put the soft leaves in the bowl for an hour (in the fridge), and they will be fully rejuvenated!

We could keep going all day with endless uses for lemons (ice cubes featuring lemon slices and mint, anyone?), but we are so inspired, that we’re off to deodorise our Tupperware. Next time you find yourself with a fruit bowl full of sunshine, you know what to do!

And, on the off chance you actually want to enjoy your lemons in your food, we have a delicious range in stock here at Twisted Citrus. Delivered contactless straight to your door, you can enjoy your lemons in both conventional and unconventional ways!

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