Cleaning With Lemon

The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning with Lemons: Natural, Effective, and Refreshing

If you’re searching for a natural, eco-friendly way to freshen up your home, cleaning with lemons is a game-changer. Packed with citric acid, lemons are a powerhouse for cleaning, deodorizing, and brightening your living space, without harsh chemicals. Plus, their fresh, zesty scent is a bonus!

In this post, we’ll explore a variety of clever ways to start cleaning with lemons—from your kitchen to your bathroom and beyond. Ready to harness the power of this citrus fruit? Let’s dive in!

Why Cleaning with Lemons Works

Cleaning with lemons isn’t just a trendy hack; it’s backed by science. Lemons are loaded with citric acid, which gives them natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and bleaching properties. This makes cleaning with lemons ideal for tackling mold, mildew, rust, grease, and unpleasant odors. Lemons are safe, biodegradable, and often already in your kitchen, making them an affordable and sustainable cleaning solution.

Pro Tip: Always test lemon-based cleaners on a small, inconspicuous area first, especially on delicate surfaces like stone or unsealed wood.

1. Cleaning with Lemons to Freshen the Air

How to do it:
Simmer a pot of water with two sliced lemons and a handful of cloves for about 30 minutes. Cleaning with lemons in this way creates a warm, inviting aroma that freshens your entire home naturally.

Extra Details:

Add a cinnamon stick or a sprig of rosemary for a more complex scent.
This method also helps add moisture to dry indoor air during winter.

2. Cleaning with Lemons to Revive Your Cutting Board

How to do it:
Sprinkle coarse salt on your wooden or bamboo cutting board. Use half a lemon (cut side down) to scrub the surface, squeezing gently to release juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water and dry.

Why it works:
The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, while the lemon’s acidity disinfects and deodorizes.

3. Cleaning with Lemons for Sparkling Dishes

How to do it:
Add a cup of lemon juice to a dishwasher-safe bowl or cup and place it on the top rack. Run your dishwasher as usual. Cleaning with lemons helps cut through grease and mineral deposits, leaving your dishes and dishwasher smelling fresh.

4. Cleaning with Lemons to Deodorize Drains and Garbage Disposal

How to do it:
Drop lemon rinds or slices into your garbage disposal and run it with cold water for 30 seconds. Cleaning with lemons in this way breaks down buildup and neutralizes odors.

5. Cleaning with Lemons to Eliminate Fridge Odors

How to do it:
Place a halved lemon (cut side up) on a small plate or bowl in your refrigerator for up to 1 week. Cleaning with lemons absorbs and neutralizes unpleasant smells.

6. Cleaning with Lemons for Natural Furniture Polish

How to do it:
Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth and rub onto wooden furniture. Buff with a dry cloth for shine. Cleaning with lemons cleans and deodorizes, while olive oil conditions and shines the wood.

7. Cleaning with Lemons to Shine Grill Grates

How to do it:
Heat your grill, then rub the grates with a lemon half dipped in coarse salt. The heat helps loosen grime, while cleaning with lemons and salt scrubs away residue.

8. Cleaning with Lemons to Brighten Grout and Tiles

How to do it:
Spray lemon juice directly onto grout lines. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub with a toothbrush or grout brush. Rinse with water. Cleaning with lemons dissolves stains and mildew.

9. Cleaning with Lemons to Keep Insects Away

How to do it:
Squeeze lemon juice along windowsills, door thresholds, and cracks where ants or insects enter. Cleaning with lemons disrupts insect scent trails and deters entry.

10. Cleaning with Lemons for Easy Microwave Cleaning

How to do it:
Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add a few lemon slices or 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Microwave on high for 3-5 minutes until it steams up the window. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe the interior with a cloth. Cleaning with lemons loosens food splatters and neutralizes odors.

11. Cleaning with Lemons for Oven Door Cleaner

How to do it:
Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray generously on the oven door, let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a sponge and wipe clean. Cleaning with lemons and baking soda for stubborn spots creates a fizzing, cleaning reaction.

12. Cleaning with Lemons to Degrease Pans

How to do it:
Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your soapy dish water or directly onto greasy pans before scrubbing. Cleaning with lemons cuts through grease and leaves cookware smelling fresh.

13. Cleaning with Lemons to Remove Rust

How to do it:
Make a paste of lemon juice and salt. Apply to rust spots on metal, let sit for 2 hours, then scrub with a brush or steel wool and rinse. Cleaning with lemons naturally lifts rust and restores shine.

14. Cleaning with Lemons to Shine Faucets and Showerheads

How to do it:
Rub a lemon half directly onto faucets and showerheads to dissolve mineral deposits. Rinse and buff dry with a soft cloth. Cleaning with lemons leaves fixtures sparkling.

15. Cleaning with Lemons to Break Down Soap Scum

How to do it:
Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray onto soap scum in showers or tubs, let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse. Cleaning with lemons breaks down soap residue and freshens your bathroom.

16. Cleaning with Lemons for Stovetops

How to do it:
Mix lemon juice and baking soda into a paste. Apply to greasy spots or stains on your stovetop, let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. Cleaning with lemons lifts grime and leaves surfaces streak-free.

17. Cleaning with Lemons to Remove Stains from Containers

How to do it:
Rub lemon juice onto stains inside plastic or glass containers. Let sit for 15 minutes in sunlight if possible, then wash as usual. Cleaning with lemons and sunlight enhances the bleaching effect.

18. Cleaning with Lemons for Crystal Clear Windows

How to do it:
Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray onto windows and wipe with a microfiber cloth or newspaper for a streak-free shine. Cleaning with lemons cuts through grime and leaves glass sparkling.

19. Cleaning with Lemons to Sanitize Wooden Kitchen Accessories

How to do it:
Rub half a lemon over wooden spoons, salad bowls, or rolling pins. Let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse and dry. Cleaning with lemons kills bacteria and removes odors from porous wood.

Bonus Tips for Cleaning with Lemons

Compost Used Lemons: After cleaning with lemons, toss used lemon halves and rinds into your compost bin.
Essential Oil Boost: Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to any of these recipes for extra cleaning power and scent.
Storage: Store leftover lemon juice in an ice cube tray for quick, single-use cleaning cubes.

Final Thoughts on Cleaning with Lemons

Cleaning with lemons is a versatile, natural way to replace many commercial cleaners in your home. Not only do lemons clean effectively, but they also leave behind a fresh, uplifting scent that brightens your space. Next time you’re reaching for a cleaner, consider grabbing a lemon instead—your home and the environment will thank you!

Have you tried cleaning with lemons before? Share your favorite cleaning with lemons hacks in the comments below!

Want to make your cleaning routine easier? Download and print this handy checklist to keep all your favorite cleaning with lemons tips at your fingertips!