Kitchen Tips – Lemons

What else can you do with lemons?

Here are some simple suggestions for ways to use lemons – they smell gorgeous, they’re easy to grow (in the right climates of course), and they’re useful for more than just slicing and adding to a drink.

OK, I admit, today’s topic is close to my heart.  I tend to have rather a lot of lemons lurking around in my home.   Why?  Well, I have a soft spot for a margarita cocktail…..

lemon sliceAs a child I remember having lemons at home, a small quantity but constant – in fact running out of lemons was a bit of a domestic disaster.  My mother liked a slice of fresh lemon in her gin and tonic, and it Was Just Not Done to be out of stock.  But that was all they were used for, which seems rather a shame now that I know about all these other uses…….

Pest Control

Many pests dislike the acid in lemons.  Place lemon peel at thresholds, windows or anywhere pests enter your home or office.  (Where I live we are plagued by ants in winter, so this is really useful) (and a good excuse for a margarita).

Greasy Messes

Lemon cuts through grease (do I sound like an advert for a chemical cleaning product?).  Simply add some salt (for abrasion) onto half a lemon left after juicing, rub over the greasy areas, and then wipe the surface clean.

Refresh a Chopping Board

Rub half a lemon over the board surface, leave for 5 minutes then rinse.  (I find this is really good for getting rid of the onion smell which sometimes lingers).  (Oh, and it’s another excuse for a margarita).

Treat Your Face

lemons and lemonadeRub lemon peels very lightly on your face (not close to your eyes) for a nice skin tonic, then rinse off.

Lemony Dishwasher

Add lemon peel to your dishwasher cycle to remove any smells.

 

And of course, as the saying goes: when life hands you lemons, make lemonade!

 

 

Try to buy local, organic lemons (or grow your own if you live in a suitable climate).   Using lemons will help to save money as well as reduce your demand for chemical cleaning products and pest sprays, and they smell great – what’s not to love!

 

 

 

Photo Credit:  microsoft.com


Tags

grow your own, kitchen tip, lemon, lemons, reduce, Save money, use lemon peel, use lemons


  • If I could only get my dog to chew on a lemon peel… I’m sure it would help his breath too.

    Tim Van Milligan

    • LOL, I’m sure it would – but I think dog-breath will be around for a while longer! My dogs look at me as if to say – don’t you know I’m a carnivore? 🙂

  • Clare, these are all ecofrienly ways to use lemons but you forgot one.. add one to a garbage disposal that has a funny smell and it help get rid of it.
    Scott Sylvan Bell

    Now go implement!

  • I am a dedicated lemon lover from way back . Think it a waste mixing it with a alcoholic beverage . But hey
    , that’s me .

  • I use lemons frequently in the dishwasher as California has forced the manufacturers of detergent to remove the water softener. I’ll also cut up a lemon for the garbage disposal if it sits too long without being used.

  • Great tips for using lemons and as everyone else state the Garbage disposer is one of the neediest! I use orange peels in the disposer too.

    Thanks!

  • I’m a big lemon fan! We too, if there are no lemons in the house, it’s a minor crisis. Luckily, there are plenty of lemon trees in the neighborhood we can pick off of. Meyer lemons are big here.

  • Nice and neat post on the many benefits of an amazing citrus fruit. Great use of adjectives as well. Not deplorable, not despicable, but JND (Just Not Done). Thanks for a refreshing post.

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