15 Alternative Uses Of Lemon That Prove What A Super-Fruit It Is

We've all grown up listening to the saying, ¡®When life gives you lemons, make lemonade¡¯. But why restrict ourselves to lemonade when we can do so much more? From helping in weight loss to adding flavour to the most bland food, the wonders of lemon are many. While everyone swears by its countless traditional uses and benefits, here are some unusual uses of lemon that prove what a super-fruit it is.

1. As a pest repellent

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Move over, chemicals! Citrus fruits are well proven solutions to keeping pests like ants and bugs in check. In fact, those stubborn ant lines can easily be kept in check by spraying lemon drops mixed with water inside cracks. In order to keep mosquitoes away, cut two lemons into halves and press about 6-7 cloves into each slice. This home remedy is also safe for kids and pets.

2. Get rid of that smell in the fridge

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Nobody likes a smelly fridge but it is very common. With a random mix of items present, the fridge is most likely to emit a strong odor. But all you have to do is dab lemon juice on a cotton ball and keep it in the fridge for a few hours. The lemon-rinsed cotton ball will absorb all the odour, leaving the refrigerator smelling fresh for use.

3. As shoe polish

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This has to be one of the most unheard uses of lemon. Mix a few drops of lemon juice with olive oil. Apply the mixture on shoes with a dry clean cloth and wipe it off. Voila! Shiny shoes are right in front of you.

4. As an anti-stick agent while cooking rice

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Have you wondered why the rice cooked by you is sticky while the rice seen on cookery shows looks separated? The secret lies in the magical drops of lemon. Squeeze half a lemon while preparing rice and it will prevent it from sticking.

5. As a cure for depression

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Apart from being one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, hence providing the body with more energy, lemon scent has mood enhancing and energising properties. Begin your day smelling lemons and you'll be amazed at how charged you feel.

6. As a natural air purifier

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That damp smell in your house can be killed with a few quick steps. Lemon when mixed with any essential oil can come in handy in getting rid of stubborn odours in your room. There are many ways to use lemon as an air freshener or purifier. One way is to leave lemon peels simmer on a stove. Alternatively, mix lemon juice with water and an essential oil of your choice, mix well and spray across the room.

7. As a dish-washing substance

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Cleaning the dirt off pots and pans becomes increasingly easy with the introduction of half a lemon from the fridge. With copper and aluminum, one cannot be too harsh while getting heavy oxidation off from the surface. It is here that lemon comes in handy with its acidic nature. Cut the lemon into halves, add some salt and gently scrub for best results. Try not to be too harsh as salt is slightly rough.

8. As a colouring agent for your hair

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This one¡¯s a personal favourite. Get natural blonde highlights in quick steps at home! All one has to do is mix 1/4th cup of lemon juice with 3/4th cup of water. Rinse your hair well with the mixture and leave it to dry for 20 minutes under the sun. Wash it off to get gorgeous streaks of natural sun-kissed colour.

9. As an odour-killer for your hands and chopping board

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Whether it's your hands or the chopping board, both tend to get smelly once you have cut onions, garlic or ginger. These strong odour-emitting vegetables can be super annoying and tend to pass on their smell onto other vegetables if cut on the same chopping board. The idea is extremely simple - cut a lemon into half and rub it well on the board after cleaning it once with water. The other half of the lemon can be rubbed on your hands. The strong aroma of lemon will kill the odour.

10. As a preventive for vegetables turning brown

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Vegetables like cauliflower tend to turn brown in a little heat. In order to prevent this, squeeze half a lemon in the cooking water to keep it its original colour.

11. As a fight against aging

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While we spend a bomb on cosmetics and visit expensive salons to keep aging at bay, the results are never satisfactory. Besides, there is always the risk of side-effects. Lemons can aid in solving these problems without burning a hole in your pocket. Juice from freshly cut lemon when applied to affected areas, helps reducing pigmentation, blemishes and slowly lightens them over time. Several dermatologists swear by its magical properties.

12. As a nail and teeth whitener

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Lemon juice is helpful in cleansing your nails and teeth. Soak your finger nails in hot water with a few drops of lemon juice added to it. This not only fixes yellowing but also strengthens brittle nails and prevents them from chipping. You can also use a paste of baking soda and fresh lemon juice or lemon peels to clean and whiten teeth over time. Lemon juice also helps in freshening the breath.

13. As the solution to mildew on clothes

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Mildew on clothes is a common sight when they are not used for long periods of time. And accompanying the stains is that damp smell. But never you mind. Make a paste of lemon juice and salt and apply it on the affected area. Let the clothes dry in sunlight, and you can repeat the process till the stain is gone. Your clothes will smell as good as new.

14. As a blood purifier

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Apart from helping the outer glow, lemons are nature¡¯s best gift when it comes to purification from the inside. Unhealthy eating habits and grueling schedules leave the individual high and dry. The best way to combat this is by cutting down the toxin level in our blood. Consuming lemon daily helps in purifying the blood.

15. As an natural disinfectant

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If lemon can purge your blood, it can definitely wash the germs off vegetables and fruits. We keep hearing the use of several chemicals and bacterial presence on veggies. The best way to clean them is by adding lemon juice while washing. It will not only make them 100 percent germ-free but will also leave them smelling good.