Lemons: 5 Unexpected Uses

Lemons not only brighten up water or a salad they are also handy around the kitchen. Find out five unexpected uses here...

We don't always have to rely on cleaning products for our household chores. In fact some foods are superb in places other than the kitchen. Here are some of SupermarketGuru’s suggestions for non-food uses for lemons, that will save you money, keep your house clean and safe!   

Preserve and refresh produce. Lemons are a perfect way to perk up produce. Adding limp lettuce to a bowl of cold water with lemon juice in the refrigerator for an hour will bring back the crispiness. When it’s back to crisp, rinse and dry with a paper towel. A little lemon juice also will help keep apples, potatoes, pears and cauliflower from browning and of course, guacamole and pesto green.

Have a grater you just can’t get clean? Use a half or quarter of a lemon, rub the pulp side along both sides in order to clean the grates and keep them sharp. The acid in the lemon will help break down the fat in the cheese. If the food is really stuck on the grater you can dip the lemon in table salt and the salt will act as a scrubber; combined with the lemon it will remove most foods.

Prevent sticky rice. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the pot while the water's boiling to keep grains from sticking together. Lemon does prevent sticky rice, as do other citrus fruit, which help separate grains of rice and enhance the whiteness of the rice itself.

Clean your garbage disposal. Run slices through the garbage disposal with cool running water to clean and freshen. Lemons will help you clean your dishes! The citric acid in lemons helps cut grease and oils; squeeze some juice over a greasy pan or fill with hot water and add a lemon wedge. If you have a real buildup of grease, use the lemon juice or half lemon with sea salt.

Lemons can also be used to clean your microwave. Combine a few tablespoons of lemon juice and at least a cup of water- microwave on high for five minutes, and wipe. The steam and compounds from the lemon will help loosen stuck on food and spills, while leaving a fresh scent.

Some tips gathered from Today.com