Surprising Uses for Those Leftover Lemons 13.04.2016

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Lemons are an essential on any good cook’s grocery list, but do you sometimes find that you have bought more lemons than you need? After reading about these surprising uses for this versatile fruit, you’ll never throw away those left-over lemons again!

As a motivator

If you ever need a bit of motivation to clean your house, perhaps the answer is to leave a few slices of lemon lying around. Studies have shown that the smell of lemon actually motivates us to clean. Perhaps with that cleansing, fresh smell it just feels wrong to leave a room looking dirty.

Cleaning the microwave

A mixture of lemon juice and water is just as effective as bleach, without you having to worry about the chemicals you are exposing your hands too and spreading around the house. Put a lemon half in a bowl of water and turn on the microwave for 5 minutes. Then wipe out with kitchen-paper for a gleaming oven and a fresh, tangy aroma in the kitchen.

Health benefits

The health benefits of having a glass of squeezed lemon and water (or sucking on a lemon if you are capable) are quite extraordinary. Lemons are excellent at soothing sore throats as well as treating infections. They also improve oral hygiene and gum disease. Start each morning with a mug of hot water with half a lemon squeezed into it for a refreshing liver-cleanse

On the fire

Add some lemon peels to the fire in winter so that it gives off a pleasing, relaxing aroma.

Cat deterrent

While lemons smell soothing to us, cats cannot stand their smell! Lemons are a highly effective cat repellent. If your flower bed is being violated by next door’s cat, spread some lemons around it. If you own a cat yourself, then a bit of lemon can be an excellent way of regulating where your cat does not go. Kitchen tops for example, or around the Christmas tree.

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Insect repellent

It is not just cats that hate the smell of lemon, but insects too. Rubbing lemon on exposed skin can be a nice alternative to a chemical filled insect repellent and it is worth leaving a bit around the house in summer to keep those insects away. Also, adding a few drops of lemon juice to paint can keep the insects away until the paint has dried.

Paint remover

Boiling lemon juice is surprisingly effective at softening old paint brushes, and removing paint stains for that matter.

Cosmetic uses

As a deodorant lemon is known to be at least as effective as anything bought in a shop, without you having to worry about any harsh chemical additives. Rubbing lemon onto your skin can keep it looking and feeling fresh and young as well as being surprisingly effective at getting rid of spots. Add lemon juice to your final hair rinse for extra shine.

We could go on, but you probably get the point – it is always worth having a few spare lemons lying around the house!