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Lemon is a fruit that I like to keep on hand in my refrigerator. But I don’t always use it to cook or bake with. It is also great for its cleansing, deodorizing, and disinfecting capabilities. Because of this, I use lemons and lemon essential oil in many ways when I clean my home in place of harmful chemicals. There are enough toxins out there, so when I find something from nature I can use, I will make the most of it.
A Few Interesting Notes On Lemons:
Lemons are most likely native to Asia. It is part of the evergreen family and reaches a height of about 10-20 feet (www.britannica.com/plant/lemon).
Lemon essential oil is cold-pressed from the rind of the fruit. It also helps neutralize unwanted odors and removes sticky adhesives and residues from non-porous surfaces.
The following are ways I incorporate Lemons and Lemon Essential Oil in caring for my home:
Window Cleaner
10 oz White Vinegar
10 oz Distilled Water
10 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Combine in a spray bottle.
Fabric Softener
1/4 C White Vinegar
1-2 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Add to the dispenser of the washer and/or use wool dryers balls with essential oils.
Carpet Freshener
1/2 Cup Baking Soda
10 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Add to a jar or cheese shaker and sprinkle on carpets. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and vacuum.
Wood Cutting Boards:
Cut a lemon in half.
Use half of the lemon cut side down and rub it over the surface of the board.
If you need to add some gentle scrubbing action, sprinkle some salt, like kosher salt, on the board while you rub the lemon on the surface.
Wipe it clean when you are done with a rag.
Condition the wood with a combination of orange essential oil and olive oil (a few drops each-just eyeball it). Rub and buff until it is soaked into the wood.
Microwave:
Clean your microwave with just water and lemons.
Cut 2 lemons in half and add them to 2 cups of water.
Place it in your microwave and heat for 1 minute.
Wipe it clean with a rag. If you encounter any stubborn spots, dip your wash rag into the lemon and water solution before wiping it clean. This can take less than 15 minutes.
Note: When I use lemon essential oil, I only use a brand that I trust is pure and grown with ethical standards and testing. I buy mine here.
Thanks for reading! Feel free to comment on your favorite way to use lemons in caring for the home or ask me a question!
Oil and Shine 