10 Ways to Clean and Freshen Your Home With Citrus Fruits

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Citrus fruits are not only tasty and healthy, but they also have amazing cleaning properties. Citrus fruits contain citric acid, which has natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make them ideal for cleaning. Say goodbye to harsh chemical cleaners and hello to all-natural citrus fruit-based solutions.

Here are ten ways you can use citrus fruits to clean and freshen up your home:

All-Purpose Cleaner

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Mix lemon juice and an equal amount of water in a spray bottle to create your all-purpose cleaner. Citric acid is a compound with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties, and since lemon juice contains a decent amount of citric acid, it is an effective disinfectant/germ killer. It is perfect for countertops, appliances, and most surfaces as it breaks down dirt and leaves a fresh citrus scent.

Microwave Cleaner

Cut a lemon in half and leave it in a bowl of water. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high power for three minutes, then allow it to sit inside with the door closed for five minutes. The lemony steam will help loosen any grim, making it much easier to wipe it clean. Not to mention, your microwave will smell like lemons.

Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Run your garbage disposal with lemon peels to freshen it up and deodorize the unit. Freeze lemon peels in ice cube trays and throw the cubes down your garbage disposal to clean and sharpen the blades.

Air Freshener

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Boil lemon and orange peels with rosemary and lavender leaves in a pot. As the steam pours, the citrus scent helps rid your home of unpleasant smells. Add lemon or orange peels to your potpourri for a more natural and refreshing scent.

Cutting Board Cleaner

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Sprinkle coarse salt on a cutting board and scrub with half a lemon. Then, rinse in warm water for a clean and sanitized cutting board. This method removes even strong stains from the cutting boards.

Dishwasher Cleaner

Put some lemon peels at the bottom of the basket where you put dishes and run the dishwasher in an empty cycle. Following this step will also help you clean utensils without much effort. The citric acid in the lemon will break down any buildup or leftover residue and remove it, giving you that clean dishwasher smell.

Stainless Steel Polisher

Cut a lemon in half and dip it in salt. Scrub your stainless steel appliances and surfaces with the lemon, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. The lemon’s citric acid will break down the grease or grime, and the salt will act as grit to pull away food residue.

Laundry Freshener

Mix a couple of droplets of Lemon essential oil into mucilage detergent to make your outfit smell new. You can also throw a few lemon slices into the washer with your laundry for freshness and stain-fighting.

Toilet Cleaner

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Create a paste with equal parts lemon juice and borax powder to clean the inside of your toilet bowl. Allow the products to sit for a few minutes and then flush to reveal a clean and deodorized toilet. The citric acid in the lemon juice breaks down stains and deodorizes, while the borax disinfects the toilet.

Carpet Deodorizer

Add baking soda and a couple of drops of lemon essential oil to your carpets. Leave it to sit for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming to remove odors and leave a lovely citrus scent. This mixture can also serve as an upholstery or mattress refresher.