Whether you go organic, large, small, or pre-squeezed, there are several ways to use lemons and lemon juice for cleaning around the house. Whether at home or on the road, you can trade the normal methods for everyday cleaning with a fresh-smelling, antioxidant, and Eco-friendly alternative: lemons! Manage upholstery stains, smelly laundry, clogged drains, limescale, mold, bacterial growth, and much more!

Continue reading for all the creative and non-toxic ways to clean around the house with store-bought lemons and a few other household ingredients.

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How to Clean With Lemons Around the House

Clothing Stain Removal

Aprons, clothing, uniforms, sheets, blankets, upholstery, curtains, tablecloths, place mats, serving napkins, and more can fall victim to staining. Blood, grease, dirt, rust, and grass stand no chance when using fresh lemon juice. It can help remove these types of stains and more! Simply dab equal parts of salt and lemon onto the stain and allow it to sit for an hour, then wash normally using detergent.

Disinfecting

Lemons can be used as disinfectants for several types of surfaces. For example, kitchen cutting boards are perfect hosts for lingering bacteria and germs. Lemon juice can eliminate these hazards, as well as, stains, with a simple and quick ten minute soak. Pour or squeeze the juice of a lemon onto a wood cutting board and allow it to sit for ten minutes before rinsing. And simple repeat if necessary.

You may also rub the exposed part of the lemon all over the surface for added effects. It is a fantastic way to kill germs naturally. Use on other surfaces as well, like tables and sinks. They are naturally scented too, making them free of chemicals that replicate the fresh smell of lemons people commonly associated with cleanliness. Never use lemon juice on granite or marble surfaces.

Hardwood Floors and Furniture

Polish hardwood furniture and floors the natural way by combining a cup of olive oil with a half cup lemon juice! Dab first on a cloth and use sparingly in circular motions. Buff the floors out with a clean dry microfiber cloth afterwards.

Kitchen Cleaning

You can clean dishware with just lemons and baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and dip the exposed portion into a pile of baking soda. Then just use the lemon as if it were your dishcloth! Citric acid is an effective de-greaser and will cut-through and loosen grime on dishware. You can also place a cup of lemon juice in the bottom of an empty dishwasher and run a cycle to deodorize it naturally.

The same goes for microwaves. Deodorize and eliminate bacteria inside a microwave by placing lemon slices in a microwave-safe bowl of water and heat for one minute. This kills the bacteria and humidifies the inside, allowing grease and stuck-on food to loosen. Just wipe the inside of the microwave out with a clean rag afterwards!

Drain Cleaning

To clean drains, pour half of a cup of baking soda down the drain and then pour a cup of hot lemon juice down afterwards. Allow this mixture to work itself in for a few minutes, then rinse with hot water. To clean and deodorize garbage disposals, drop a few citrus peels down the drain and run the disposal with cold water from the faucet. Lemon wedges can be placed inside a refrigerator to eliminate bad odors as well.

Mold Remover

No matter what color of mold you have or where it may be, you can use lemon juice and good old fashioned elbow grease to remove it. Tiles, plumbing fixtures, and other surfaces can be scrubbed clean of mold with a pasty mixture of lemon juice and salt.

Limescale and Soap Scum Remover

Aside from mold, lemons can also be used to clean soap scum, limescale, hard water deposits, and other similar residues. For this, mix two parts of bicarbonate soda and one part lemon juice, and then apply the paste to the soiled area. Allow to sit, then scrub with cloth or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly.

Additional Lemon Cleaning Applications:

◾ Glass Cleaner
◾ Mirror Polisher
◾ Shoe Shiner
◾ Metal Polisher
◾ Laundry Bleacher
◾ Air Freshener

Are you plumbing fixtures damaged limescale? Did a water leak cause a mold outbreak in your home? Perhaps you are ready to update some kitchen and mudroom appliances? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis Indiana plumbing services for water heaters, water softeners, water leaks, kitchens, bathrooms, and more. We provide residential and commercial plumbing services all throughout Central Indiana.

A Brief Explanation of Mold Colors

Mold breaks down organic matter, which means it serves a vital purpose in our universe, but not in our households. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of mold overexposure include respiratory complications like wheezing, coughing, sneezing, allergies, and even asthma. It can also cause a person to develop other health issues, like headaches, rashes, and in serious cases, brain infections and blood poisoning (sepsis). Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some molds produce toxic substances called mycotoxins.

Mold Color Guide

◎ Pink – Pink mold is often seen in the bathroom or kitchen, but it is not actually mold at all. It is a bacteria called Serratia marcescens. Although not a mold, it still presents hygiene and health issues, like urinary tract and respiratory infections.

◎ Green – Green mold is very vague since it can be any kind of unpleasant fungus. There are literally thousands of species of green mold, so green mold doesn’t tell you much, expect that it needs to be removed.

◎ Greenish-Black – Mold that appears greenish-black in color could be Stachbotrys genus, which is also known as “black mold.” Exposure to such mold has been linked to serious health conditions. It commonly grows on high-cellulose, low-nitrogen surfaces, such as drywall, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint that is constantly exposed to moisture.

◎ Black or Gray – Mold that is black or gray might be Alternaria, which is one of the most common types of outdoor mold. It mostly grows near damp, dusty areas, as well as, soil and plants. It is often found in household dust, so be sure you keep up with your routine cleaning.

◎ Blue, Green, or White – Molds of these colors generally point to the Penicillium genus. Several years ago, this species of mold was used to make penicillin. Nowadays, it is usually found growing on food or on walls. It can cause allergic reactions, allergies, and other respiratory problems.

◎ Yellow, Green or Black – Mold that appears yellow, green, or black could possibly be Aspergillus mold. According to the CDC, we breathe these molds in almost every day without getting sick. However, concentrated exposure can be hazardous, especially for those with existing lung problems or suppressed immune systems. In individuals like these, it can cause aspergillosis, which presents itself as coughing, wheezing, and sinus inflammation.

◎ Olive Green, Gray, Brown, or Black – Molds that appear in these color formations likely belong to the Cladosporium genus. You can find this mold growing indoors and outdoors on plant leaves, soil, walls, insulation, and damp carpeting. According to the CDC, they are most commonly linked to minor health complications like skin, eye, and sinus infections; but they have also been known to brain infections like fungal meningitis.

Mold should be removed as soon as it is discovered, regardless of color or quantity. After you outsource mold remediation services, contact a trusted Indianapolis plumbing repair company to resolve the underlying water leak issues that have been causing mold to grow.

Are you looking for an affordable solution to your residential or commercial water leak problems? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for economically-priced water leak repair services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide residential and commercial plumbing service and repair.

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How to Clean Around the House Using Lemons