Cleaning With Lemons Is Nothing To Pucker At!

“Lemons clean everything, it’s the greatest disinfectant in the world” – Sandra Bullock

Some people say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, but I think…”When life give you lemons, go clean something!”

Hail the mighty lemon!

Lemons no longer are just for lemonade or lemon meringue pie…People everywhere are tired of using harsh toxic chemicals as cleaning products, instead they are looking at more organic solutions that are less harmful and just as efficient. Enter the lemon!

Lemons are citusy fresh smelling, natural disinfectants, inexpensive, stain removers, eco-friendly, safe and easy to store (did you know you can not only use lemons fresh, but they are just as effective if they have been frozen to preserve them).

How to use lemons to make your home sparkle…

1. Clean your wooden cutting boards: After using them for awhile, your cutting boards become stained or they take on the smells of the food that’s been cut on them. Sprinkle a little salt on one side of it, then, cut a lemon in half, then scrub with the cut side. If your cutting board is in pretty bad shape, you may need to repeat.
2. Clean plastic containers: Have you ever tried saving something like spaghetti sauce in a plastic container, only to leave it stained? Simply rub lemon juice on the stained area, wait 15 minutes, then rinse.
3. Freshen up your garbage disposal: Considering all the different foods that go through your garbage disposal, it’s no wonder it begins to be a little smelly. Running a few small  lemon rinds through the disposal will help eliminate those odors.
4. Clean up your microwave: It’s amazing how quickly food splatters get baked and caked on to the sides and top of your microwave. With lemons it’s not so hard to clean it off. Simply add some lemon juice or lemon rinds to a bowl of water, and microwave for about 4 minutes. Let sit for another 5 minutes, which allows the steam to work on the food caked walls. You then can remove the bowl of water and wipe down the walls to sparkling clean.
5. Cleaning grout: Spray lemon juice on your dirty grout, let sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub. The acid of the lemon juice will do the job.
6. Clean your oven: No more spray on foams that choke you up…simply fill an oven safe bowl or pan with lemon juice and water, set your oven to 250° and bake for about 30 minutes. Let your oven cool, then you will be able to wipe up any leftover residue with a damp sponge.
7. Clean laminate counter tops: Laminate counter tops frequently get stained, and rather than using a scrubbing powder to get them clean and possibly damage the surface, squeeze lemon juice onto the stained area, then using the rest of the lemon, rub the juice into the affected area and allow to sit until the stain disappears.
8. Cleaning your pots and pans: Greasy dishes and pans are hard to get clean, but when you add a teaspoon of lemon to your dishwater, they will come clean easier, and smell better.
9. Remove hard water buildup:  Spray lemon juice on faucets where hard water has built up, wipe off after 15 minutes.
10. Refresh your fridge:  No matter how hard you try or how well you seal, food odors will often permeate your refrigerator. Remove those odors easily by cutting a lemon in half and leave in the fridge about a half hour.
11. Clean your dishwasher:  Hard water spots and iron can build up in your dishwasher. All you need to do is fill a bowl with lemon juice, set on the top rack and run the dishwasher like normal, the hard water spots will be gone and your dishes will have a little more sparkle.
12. Clean your dirty BBQ grate: When your grill is hot, carefully, using a lemon cut in half on a long fork, rub across the grates for a clean surface.
13. Freshen the air:  No more spray or plugin air fresheners, add lemon rinds and herbs and spices that you love to a pot of water, bring the water to a boil, then let simmer on low for about an hour.
14. Clean your windows: Again, no more chemicals! You can clean your mirrors and windows using lemon water in a spray bottle. (You can also use club soda and water in a spray bottle)

I have been cleaning windows in the Seattle area for nearly 30 years, and quite frankly, I enjoy it!  I will be happy to answer all of your questions, and I know the mistakes to avoid. I clean private homes or apartment complexes.

Contact me for a FREE Quote.