15 cleaning tricks with lemon to make your house shine & smell fantastic

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Sometimes, the best cleaning product is the one you already have at home. If you have a lemon, you're ready to clean everything from the trash can to windows to the bathroom. Cleaning experts share the best ways to use lemons around the house.

Lemons can be used to clean many things because their juice contains citric acid. According to experts, citric acid can dissolve water stains, remove grease and soap scum, and kill bacteria. What's more, it leaves behind a pleasant scent.

Here are some ideas for cleaning methods with lemon that anyone can use:

1. Clean a cutting tool

Sprinkle some salt on your cutting board, cut a lemon in half, and start rubbing! Then wash it to remove any remaining residue.

2. Freshen the oven door

Clean the oven door with a natural cleaner. Fill a spray bottle with water and the juice of a whole lemon. Spray the oven door and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping and cleaning with a cloth or sponge.

3. Remove bad odor from the sink

Smelly sink? Pour half a cup of baking soda and then half a squeezed lemon into the colander. Run cold water to rinse everything out.

4. Shine shoes or glassware

No one wants to drink from a cloudy glass. Let your glassware sit in lemon juice for a sparkling clean shine. The natural acid will start to dissolve mineral deposits. Then use baking soda to scrub away the stains once and for all.

5. Make an air freshener

If an unpleasant odor has entered your home or you just love the scent of citrus, create your own air freshener. Place two sliced ??lemons and a handful of cloves in a pot of water and boil for 30 minutes.

6. Delete the windows

If fingerprints on your windows bother you, prepare a spray bottle of water and lemon juice like you would for an oven and wipe it with a microfiber cloth.

7. Shine metals

With just lemon juice and salt, you can remove rust from metal for a new shine. Squeeze the lemon onto a sponge, sprinkle salt on it, and rub the metal or rusty area.

8. Remove soap stains

Lemon juice, when mixed with water, acts as a natural acidic cleaner and dissolves soap scum. Spray the surface and scrub. Caution: do not use on marble, as it may damage the surface.

9. Refresh the microwave

Slice a lemon and place it in a bowl with a cup of water. Heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until the window fogs up. Let it cool for 5 minutes before cleaning with a sponge.

10. Wipe the countertop.

When you want to clean grease, make a paste of lemon and baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface, cut a lemon in half, and rub the surface. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth.

11. Clean dirty bowls

Citric acid dissolves stains in containers, making them easier to clean. Rub half a lemon on them and then wash as usual.

12. Restore the shine of toast

Heat the toast and then rub it with half a cut lemon to remove dirt. Use tongs to hold the lemon so you don't burn yourself.

13. Clean the cheese grater

Replace the sponge with half a lemon and rub each hole of the grater to remove any cheese residue. Then wash as usual.

14. Remove dirt from pots and pans

For burnt pots, cut two lemons into slices and place them in a pot of water. Boil, let cool, and scrub with a sponge.

15. Make a cleaner for different surfaces

For an all-purpose lemon cleaner, mix one part white vinegar, one part water, the zest of a lemon, and rosemary sprigs and pour everything into a spray bottle. Let it sit for a week before using. Do not use on natural stone, wood, electronics, or upholstered furniture, as the acidity can damage them.