Not only are the yellow orbs rich in 100% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that lowers your cardiovascular disease risk and can also boost fat-burning by up to 25% – but they’re also way more versatile than you can imagine.
1.Wave goodbye to acne
Ever wondered how to get rid of pesky pimples and the ugly marks they leave behind without breaking your piggy bank at the dermatologist’s office? Luckily, your solution costs pocket change and is probably already in your fridge! Lemons are perfect for erasing pustules, blackheads, and their leftover scars. All you have to do is dip a cotton ball into freshly squeezed lemon juice (you only need about a tablespoon!) and then rub it on the affected area for about five minutes each day. The fruit is naturally styptic, which can stop the bleeding and its acidity will kiss inflamed acne goodbye.
2. Take a dip into the fountain of youth
If your less-than-stellar skin is making you look a decade older than you really are, turn to your lemon’s mighty juices. Patting lemon juice on your skin will help tighten it and smooth out fine lines.
3. Clean your microwave
Does your microwave get those food particles on it that you just can’t seem to get off? Give lemon a try.
Steps:
- Squeeze about half a lemon into a bowl of warm water
- Microwave for 5 minutes (increase time if needed) to allow for the steam from the water to condense on the ceiling and walls of the microwave.
- When enough water has condensed, use a sponge to wipe down the insides.
4. Naturally lighten your hair
Ever dreamed of becoming a blonde bombshell? Well, now you can—without a trip to the hair salon. If your hair is on the lighter side (sorry, raven-haired gals!), you can use the juice of a lemon on your locks twice a week to lighten them. Don’t have enough lemons for your entire head? Nuke the uncut fruit for 15 seconds in the microwave for twice as much juice.
5. Help whiten your clothes
Have your white clothes stopped looking white? Lemons can help with that. Just mix a half cup of lemon juice with a gallon of hot water and let them soak for a few hours.
6. Remove unwanted hair
To make homemade body wax, squeeze the juice of one whole lemon and add it to a half cup of sugar. Pop the blend in the microwave until it turns brown; keep stirring until it’s sticky. Before you spread it on, let the wax cool down a bit. Now all you need is a few cloth strips, and you’ll be on your way to silky, smooth skin.
7. Clean your pots
Getting new pots and pans can be expensive, but once they’ve tarnished, you have no choice, right? Not quite. Blue Apron noted that lemon, distilled white vinegar, and baking soda can help make those scorched pots look close to new.
8. Fix a patchy tan
Don’t you hate when the summer sun tans your feet and hands a little too much? To get rid of sock- and glove-like patches, mix lemon juice with water and baking soda, and then exfoliate the affected areas with the mixture. Because lemon juice and baking soda have bleaching properties, the two can help tone the skin.
9. Whiten teeth
Forget Crest Whitestrips! To achieve a pearly white smile, mix a bit of lemon juice with baking soda, dip your toothbrush in it, and scrub—but only for a minute! You can repeat this every other day for a red carpet-ready smile.
10. Add it to H20
Detox water is incomplete without lemons. The citrus’ skin is loaded with D-limonene, an antioxidant that helps liver enzymes rid of flush toxins from the body to help you feel your best. So go ahead and pop the peel into your glass, too!
11. Leave lemons in your fridge to get rid of any unwanted smells
After you’ve squeezed a lemon (say for a vinaigrette or lemonade), place the remaining, juiced half in a bowl cut side up. It’ll freshen up your fridge in a matter of hours.
12. Preserve avocados and apples
Ever wondered why your guac wasn’t exactly green after a few hours? You can blame the phenolic compounds present in the healthy fat-rich fruit; when these compounds are exposed to air, they oxidize, turning your avocados (and apples, too) from an appetizing to a not so appealing hue real quick.
13. Get rid of a hangover
Let’s face it: Hangovers are the reason we consider nixing alcohol forever. But once the weekend rolls by and you find yourself at another bar at 2 a.m., you may want to jot this one down for the morning. Two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice plus one teaspoon of sugar mixed into eight ounces of water will save you from a massive headache and an upset tummy.
14. Improve your concentration
Fitness and nutrition expert Jay Cardiello swears that the scent of lemon oil can increase alertness and improve your concentration. But for a quick practical fix for when you don’t have the essential oil on hand, try boiling water and adding lemon juice. We totally recommend giving it a shot next time you’re in need of some extra brainpower.
15. Bleach Laundry Naturally
We can’t be the only ones this has happened to: a load of fresh laundry is waiting for you, but as you pull out the individual items of clothing, you realize that your favorite white shirt has turned an ugly shade of laundry accident. But that doesn’t have to spell the end for your accidentally-dyed garment – just use our trusty friend, the lemon! Add a few lemon slices and water to a pot and boil your garment in it for 20 minutes. Your favorite piece of clothing will return to its former glory right before your eyes, all without the use of unnatural chemicals!
