Get Ready! Your sun-ripened oranges, bright yellow lemons, and out-of-this-world grapefruit are sure to make a comeback in your life with these simple tricks and tips (if they are not a staple snack already). Juicy, sweet, tart and tangy couldn’t be more beneficial to make an improvement in your home and so much more. We’ll go over a list of ways that you can use citrus fruits in your daily life besides sitting in a fruit basket…
- Clean your microwave. Squeeze lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, fill the bowl with warm water slightly less than half way up. Heat your solution until it begins to boil—usually 3-5 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool and unplug your microwave to clean the inside with a warm damp cloth.
- Refresh your fridge. Simply place your citrus peels in a bowl topped with a little bit of salt in your fridge. The salt will help to preserve the peels and will aid in absorption of the unpleasant smells. Your citrus peels will leave your fridge with a fresh rejuvenating scent.
- Revitalize your home smell. Toss your citrus peels in your lit fireplace when it is lit for a citrus aroma of bliss.
- Goodbye disposal odor. Grind your peels in your disposal with water for a refreshing fragrance.
- Clean your dishes naturally. Make your own pre-measured DIY dishwasher detergent cubes using lemon juice.
Not only are you using natural remedies for common problems, but you now have a handful of ways to make your home sparkle without the use of harsh and toxic chemicals. Listed below are some of our favorite citrus uses from Apartment Therapy. If a specific citrus fruit is not listed, you can use any of your likings—however, they do suggest using lemon when combined with bleach.
- For a mild, stain-free bleach, soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.
- Boost your laundry detergent’s power by adding lemon juice to a wash cycle for fresh smelling laundry, to brighten whites and remove rust and mineral stains
- Make your own spray cleaner by mixing two tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 1/2 teaspoon washing soda, and one teaspoon Borax into two cups hot water. Mix until dissolved.
- Another all-purpose cleaning solution: combine lemon juice, vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Place half a lemon or an orange in a dish can help freshen a room. You can also boil up the peels to freshen up the whole house.
- Humidifiers can pick up unwanted scents. Freshen up the aroma by adding 3 to 4 teaspoons citrus juice to the water.
- Rub fresh orange or lemon peels over your exposed skin to keep away mosquitoes and gnats.
- Puree orange peels in 1 cup warm water. Slowly pour the solution over and into anthills to get rid of them.
- To keep cats from using your lawn as a litter box, mix orange peels and coffee grounds and distribute it around their favorite spots. If they don't take the hint, lay down a second batch and try moistening it with a bit of water.
27 Household Uses For Citrus Fruit via Apartment Therapy
Photo by: Shaun Dunphy | Flickr
