16 Reasons Why Lemons Are the Most Useful Thing in the World

A lot of ordinary things you probably own already can be very helpful when it comes to doing a thorough clean of your home — you just need to know the correct ways to use them.

We here at Bright Side have put together a list of 16 unusual uses for an ordinary lemon. They will help you look at this sour fruit in a whole new light!

16. Making an all-purpose cleaner

Peel a lemon, pour 5 fl oz (150 ml) of vinegar over it and leave it overnight. In the morning, add 5 fl oz (150 ml) of water. That’s it! Pour the mixture into an empty spray bottle and use it as an all-natural cleaning solution throughout your home.

15. Cleaning your cutting board

Keep your cutting board clean and give it a long life using a halved lemon as a sponge and salt as a scrub. After this is done, leave the board for 10-15 minutes then repeat this procedure one more time.

14. Brightening whites

To get your white laundry the whitest it can be, soak it in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.

13. Manicures

Prepare a rejuvenating bath for your nails to keep them strong and healthy. The recipe is very simple: just add a few drops of lemon juice to warm water.

12. Getting rid of freckles

Lemon can also help to lighten unwanted freckles or age spots. Just slice a lemon and gently rub it across your face.

11. Improving digestion

Drinking a glass of warm lemon water with honey in the morning on an empty stomach helps to improve digestion and boost your immune system.

10. Setting a table properly

When the table is set with foods to eat with your hands, it is nice to provide small finger bowls filled with lemon water for washing fingers.

9. Refreshing appliances

Try to wipe your fridge with a sponge soaked in lemon juice and you’ll forget about unpleasant smells. Using lemon, you can also make your own homemade air freshener. Just add lemon juice to the dishwasher when it’s empty and let it run a cycle or add a bit of lemon juice to the humidifier.

8. Growing sprouts

Lemons can also be used for growing sprouts. Squeeze the juice and put the seeds into the lemon half. Then plant the seedling in the ground together with a lemon pot.

7. Getting rid of shoe odors

Leave fresh citrus peel in your shoes overnight to absorb odors.

6. Making candle holders

Halves of lemon, lime or orange are great, nice-looking materials for making your own unique candle holders. You need to remove the pulp and fill the halves with melted wax. And don’t forget about the candle wick! Glue it to the bottom of your candle holder.

5. Improving your overall health

The combination of lemon juice and baking soda has alkalizing, digestive and depurative properties. It regulates the level of bad cholesterol, purifies the liver, and gives us a good dose of vitamin C. Add a teaspoon of baking soda and juice of half a lemon to a glass of mineral water and drink it in the morning. Take it for two weeks in a row, and then rest for two more.

4. Cleaning stainless steel

Lemon peels and baking soda will make your stainless steel shine.

3. Removing berry stains

When you are preparing fresh berries, you’ll probably stain your hands. Lemon juice will help you remove the color from your skin. Removing berry stains from your clothes is also easy. First, wash the fabric in cold water, and then soak your clothes in lemon juice for a few minutes.

2. Repelling insects

To keep ants out of your home, pour a little lemon juice on window sills and doorways. And to get rid of mosquitoes, stick cloves into a lemon cut in half.

1. Bleaching underarms

Nothing is better for bleaching dark underarms than a lemon. Its acidity will help to lighten your skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. Every day before your bath or shower, rub your underarms with a thick slice of lemon. Don’t forget to apply some moisturizer after your bath because lemons can also make your skin drier. You’ll see the result after 7 days.