LEMON TIPS AND TRICKS

Lemons are one of mother natures super foods! 

Lemons make a generous contribution to our health and well being, from preventing kidney stone growth and Vitamin C absorption to improved skin quality and aiding in digestion.  These things really pack a punch when it comes to health benfits.

But the wonders of lemons don't end there. Lemons are also fantastic kitchen helpers.

 They contain high amounts of citric acid which makes them a great natural cleaning option.  Citric acid is a great tool for removing soap scum and even set in stains.

  Check out these tips and tricks for safe natural cleaning around the house.

Clean your microwave: 

Squeeze enough lemons to yield 4 tablespoons of juice. Fill a 4 cup capacity bowl with 1 cup of water and the lemon juice. Place the bowl in a microwave and turn it to a high setting. Let the mixture steam up inside of the microwave. Wipe down the microwave. 

Get stains off of countertops: Pour some lemon juice on top of the stain. Wait a few minutes while the lemon juice's acid works to break down the stain. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on top of the stain and scrub the stain away. 

Scrub your kitchen sink: 

Squeeze the juice out of three lemons and mix with salt until you get a paste. Drop some of the paste into the sink and gently scrub the sink with it. Rinse after scrubbing. 

ALL-NATURAL CITRUS CLEANER

~Ingredients:

• Citrus peels (enough to fill at least half of your mason jar) 
• White vinegar (enough to fill up your mason jar, and cover the peels)

     Equipment:
1 large mason jar with a fitted lid (I prefer a large jar such as a half gallon or a couple of quart jars). 
Fine mesh strainer
Large bowl
Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Save your citrus peels: As you use up different types of citrus, save the peels instead of throwing them away. Add these peels to a large mason jar.
2. Add those citrus peels to a jar of vinegar: As you collect citrus peels, add them to a large mason until it's filled at least half way. (This could take a few weeks.) Once the jar has enough peels, pour vinegar over the peels until it fills the jar. Cover your jar with a lid, and allow it to sit in a dark place for two weeks. The longer you let it sit, the more the citrus will infuse into the vinegar.
3. Strain it: After two weeks, strain your citrus cleaner using a fine mesh strainer placed over a large bowl. Discard the peels.
4. Pour the cleaner into a bottle: Add your citrus cleaner to a spray bottle and use it as you would any other all purpose cleaner.

https://extension.usu.edu/fscreate/ou-files/Quick_Kitchen_Tips.pdf

https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-an-all-purpose-kitchen-cleaner-using-citrus-peels-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-216274