Simple Natural Cleaning with a Lemon

I am all about Short Cuts. Cleaning is one of those areas of my life where I am all about making it quick, easy, and painless. There are so many household cleaners on the market, but they can be so harsh and toxic. I try to avoid them when possible, and opt for Natural Cleaning Methods. I am always finding new ways to clean my home naturally, and I am amazed at how simple they are. You will never believe how many items in your house you can clean with a lemon. Check out this list below.

Simple Natural Cleaning with a Lemon

Furniture Polish

Combine equal parts olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl or spray bottle. Use a clean cloth to rub a small amount of the polish into your furniture. Wipe dry with another cloth.

Clean Brass & Copper

Use a half lemon and salt to clean discolored brass or copper. This works on real brass not plated. With any cleaner test a small spot before scrubbing and take care with antiques.

Clean Chrome

Clean the Chrome on your car or those kitchen and bathroom faucets with lemon and salt. Scrub and rinse.

Clean and Disinfect Cutting Boards

Rub lemon juice onto your cutting board and let sit overnight or for at-least an hour. Rinse well, and dry. This will remove stains and kill the germs.

Clean Grout

Use lemon juice and an old toothbrush to scrub grout. For stubborn stains use lemon juice with some baking soda.

Clean your Microwave

Clean and deodorize your microwave by placing 3/4 cup water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl. Heat to boiling and leave the microwave shut for 10 minutes. Open the microwave and wipe the inside clean. All the food particles should just wipe right off.

Clean the Grill

Scrub your grill and grates with lemon juice and salt. To remove that stubborn baked on food.

Clean Plastic Food Containers

Those plastic food containers can come back with some strange odors after being in the kids lunchboxes all day. Soak plastic food storage containers in dilute lemon juice to remove stains and odors. Add baking soda and scrub, rinse and dry.

Fabric Stain Remover

You can remove stubborn stains from cotton and polyesters. Just make a paste with lemon juice and cream of tarter and rub the mixture into the stain. Let the item sit for about a half hour, and then wash as normal (test before use).

Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Sanitize your garbage disposal. Pour a gallon of hot water mixed with a half cup of lemon juice down the drain. I also like to place the lemon peel from the lemons I have used to clean down the garbage disposal. This freshens and deodorizes the sink.

Remove Cooking Odors from Hands

You can remove food preparation smells from your hands with a dilute solution of water and lemon juice.

Clean Windows

Keep those windows and mirrors clean. Put a few tablespoons of lemon juice and water into a spray bottle. Works as well as a vinegar solution and smells better.

Remove hard Water & Mineral Build up

You can clean hard water stains on glass shower doors with half a lemon. You can also clean mineral buildup on tea kettle and coffee pots by boiling lemon slices in the pots. Allow the mixture to sit for an hour or two, and then rinse and dry.

Hair Rinse

Use a diluted lemon juice rinse for your hair. It cuts soap residue and leaves your hair softer and shinier. It can also cause a natural lightening effect if you go out into the sun after use.

Facial Scrub

Make a facial scrub with sugar and lemon juice. Scrub and rinse.

Do you like to clean naturally? What is your favorite natural cleaning tip. Share it in the comments below.