Amazing Ways to Use Lemons

You know the old saying…”when life gives you lemons”? Well, you can make lemonade or reach for the tequila. I won’t judge! However, the best uses for lemons go far beyond garnishing a margarita!

I love lemons! No…really! I love them a lot! Like, I always have a few in the fridge and feel deprived when I start running low. Plus, they’re so stinkin’ cute they make me wanna smile!

My love for lemons aside, you probably already know the gazillion best uses for lemons when it comes to cooking. If you’re like me, you add a slice of lemon to the foil pack when baking salmon. Ooooh, and you know it adds just the right zing when squeezed over shrimp scampi. Adding lemon zest to cookies, cakes and puddings really ramps up the flavor factor.

But did you know…

Some of the best uses for lemons involves cleaning! Lemon juice is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. This makes them a great substitute for chemically-laden commercial products. And because of their acidity, they’re also great as a degreaser.

The juice from a fresh-squeezed lemon is one of the best sources of Vitamin C. It contains immune-boosting properties and D-limonene which can help reduce inflammation, detox the liver and even help fight cancer.

Research shows that a daily dose of lemon juice can aid in digestion, metabolism and weight loss, it can help lower blood pressure and even prevent kidney stones!

One large lemon can contain about 3 tablespoons of juice. A smaller lemon will have about 2 tablespoons of juice.

To get the most juice from a lemon, roll it on the counter with your hand while exerting slight pressure. Then cut in half and squeeze. You can also pop it into the microwave for about 15 seconds prior to cutting and squeezing.

What is the best use for excess lemons?

First, this is a good problem to have! When you see all the things you can do with a lemon, you’ll be more than happy to have a surplus. But what to do with them in the meantime?

The most obvious answer is to cut them in half, squeeze the juice into ice cube trays and freeze for later use. You can empty the cubes into a zip-loc bag and they’ll keep for six months in the freezer. Juicing is a breeze with this handheld squeezer. If you’re not a fan of pulp, this juicer lets you control how much is produced.

Another option, before they’ve been juiced, is zest or thinly peel the skins. Make sure you don’t get the white pith…this is the bitter tasting part of the peel. Zest can be spread on a baking sheet to freeze and stored in the same manner as the juice cubes. Peels can be dehydrated and ground into a powder for use in cooking and baking. You can substitute 1 tsp of lemon powder for every tablespoon of lemon zest in a recipe. If a recipe calls for a dash, use it sparingly. A little goes a long way in the flavor department.

Have you tried making Candied Lemon Peel?

It’s a bit of a process but definitely soothes the sweet tooth! An internet search will provide you with several options for making this old-fashioned snack. However, I liked The Daring Gourmet version. The finished candy is so pretty and perfect for gift-giving as well. I store my candied lemon peel in a freezer bag and just pull out a piece (or two) when I have a craving. It’s soooo good!

Time to go natural….

Indeed, the majority of my lemon peels go into making my natural citrus cleaner. In a world full of cancer-causing chemicals, I’m making an effort to replace the majority of my household cleaners with something more earth (and body) friendly. Making your own natural citrus cleaner will also free you from needing a separate cleaner for every task on your cleaning list. Really, this one cleaner can replace just about all of them. And think of the money you’ll save by not having to purchase all those extra cleaners!

 

 

The Best Uses For Lemons…

In the kitchen:

– Use half a lemon and some coarse salt to clean stove and countertops. It can cut through grease and oil like nobody’s business! Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

– Lemons neutralize the smell of just about everything. So feel free to add them to your vinegar cleaner. No one will notice!

– Use lemon and coarse salt as a scrubber on those tough pots and pans.

– Keep avocados and apples from turning brown. Either spritz the fruit or dip them in a bowl of equal parts lemon juice and water. Wrap the fruit in plastic, making sure there are no air pockets.

– Need buttermilk but don’t want to make a trip to the store? Add 1 tbsp of lemon juice to 1 c. whole milk or heavy cream and stir. After 5 or 10 minutes, you’ll see small curds develop and it will thicken somewhat. It won’t be as thick as real buttermilk but it will work in a pinch. When substituting for real buttermilk, use the curds and all. You won’t notice them…trust me!

– Use 1 tsp of lemon zest and 1 c. of salt to make your own gourmet salt blend. Feel free to add some fresh rosemary for a unique flavor twist! Additionally, you could make your own version of lemon-pepper seasoning using lemon zest or lemon powder.

– Add some lemon zest or a dash of lemon powder to risotto, meringue and asparagus for an extra punch of flavor.

– Make summertime drinks easier to prepare. Slice lemons and lay out on a baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, store the slices in a freezer bag for 3-4 months. When you need a garnish for homemade lemonade, just remove a few slices as needed.

– Freeze lemon juice in an ice cube tray. Store the cubes in a freezer bag for up to 6 months. Use the lemon cubes instead of ice to keep your lemonade from becoming watered down.

– Deodorize wood cutting boards. Wipe half of a lemon all over the board and let dry naturally. Read more about how to care for wood cutting boards.

– Use a freshly squeezed lemon to clean the water spots from your faucet and handles. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

As part of a cleaning product:

– Use equal parts lemon juice and olive oil to create an all-natural furniture polish. Use one cloth to apply and another cloth to buff clean. This same mixture can also make scratches in wood furniture disappear.

– Use one half of a lemon to clean glass and mirrors without the need for chemicals. Bonus…no streaks!

– Lemons are a natural stain remover. Use with baking soda to remove stubborn perspiration stains. Sprinkle the stain with baking soda and spritz with lemon juice. Let sit for 30 minutes and wash as usual.

– Make a natural bleach alternative. Mix 12 c. water, 1 c. hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 c. lemon juice. Add 2 c. of this mixture to each wash load to lighten and brighten without fading. Also, this mixture is a safe option for removing funky smells in both top-loading and front-loading machines. Just add a 2 cups to an empty machine and run a normal wash cycle.

– Polish stainless steel with equal amounts of lemon juice and water. Wipe clean with a dry cloth.

– Use the lemon peels in a potpourri to freshen up the air in your home. Add the peels to a pot of water and let simmer on the lowest setting. Add water as needed to keep the pan from drying out. A sprig of rosemary is a nice compliment to the citrus aroma. You can do the same with orange peels and cloves for natural and healthy winter-y air freshener. Bonus: steam from the pan of water will help combat dry, indoor air during the colder months.

In personal care products:

– Some of my favorite uses for lemons is for personal care products. One is a lemon-scented body scrub. Add 1 tsp lemon powder to a cup of sugar. Add just enough olive oil to hold the mixture together. Use it as you would any body scrub and enjoy the aroma!

– Some people swear that lemons can fade age spots. I’ve had limited success with this. But if you’re willing to experiment, it’s an easy process. Combine 1 tbsp of plain yogurt, 2 tbsp ground oatmeal, 1 tsp tumeric and 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice. Mix well and apply to age spots, leaving it on for 20-30 minutes. Rinse well and apply a good moisturizer. Apply this mixture twice a week. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and should be used within a month. It should be noted that you won’t see results as fast with this natural version as you would a commercial product. So be patient.

– To remove blackheads, mix equal parts lemon juice, honey and baking soda. Apply the paste to the blackheads. Next, “steam” your face by covering it with a washcloth soaked in very hot water. Hold in place until the cloth is very cool and then use it to wipe off the mixture. Apply a good moisturizer afterwards.

– Use lemon juice to add highlights to hair. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray on hair and sit in the sun for about 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary to get desired level of highlights. This mixture is also good to spray on the scalp to help combat dandruff. Be aware that this may not work on people with medium to dark hair.

– Use lemon juice as a deodorant. Simply apply to underarms with a cotton ball. It won’t stop you from perspiring but at least you won’t smell bad if you do! Considering how many chemicals are in commercial deodorants, I’m willing to make exceptions. Just be careful about applying after a fresh shave as it may sting a bit.

– Lemon is used as one of the main ingredients in commercial throat sprays and lozenges. Commercial products are also loaded with extra ingredients that aren’t really necessary. So, why not make your own sore-throat soother! Combine 1 c. warm/hot water, 3 tsp lemon juice and 1 tsp honey. Stir and drink as often as needed to sooth a sore throat.

 

 

Bonus:

In compiling my list for the best uses for lemons, I found that lemon juice can be used as invisible ink! You heard that right! Use a calligraphy nib or Q-tip dipped in lemon juice to write a message. Let the paper dry completely. When you’re ready to read it, hold it near a heat source and it will reveal its secret message. Just be careful not to catch the paper on fire! This would be a great “science” experiment for young kids…with adult supervision, of course!

Times when you shouldn’t use lemon juice…

Of course this article would not be complete without a warning for those times lemons are not recommended. As mentioned previously, lemons are very acidic. Therefore, they shouldn’t be used to clean marble or brass-plated surfaces. Lemons are great for shining up real brass…but brass-plate is a no-no.

Additionally, lemon juice and bleach should never be mixed together as they can create a toxic gas that is harmful to breath.

Other than that…lemons and lemon juice can be used in just about every room of your home!

A final thought…

Lemons and limes are interchangeable! So if you’re wanting to make an all-natural cleaner for your home, either one will work! And considering their cost, they’re more economical than commercial cleaners, not to mention healthier too!

If you have a favorite use for lemons (or limes), I’d love to hear about it. Just leave a comment below. And feel free to share this post with someone you know who is looking for a healthier, more economical way to clean.

Until next time,

lisa

 

 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]