Updated Post!

Pancake Day is over for another year and 73% of our poll agreed that a squeeze of lemon juice and a light dusting of sugar is the simplest and the best way to enjoy a pancake. Now that the scoffing of pancakes is over for another year you’ve probably got a few  lemons left over, but there’s no way you should let these versatile little fruits end up in the bin!

Lemons have far more uses than you might think and after reading this post I’m confident the humble lemon can become a firm favourite in your home cleaning arsenal.  You can use your leftover lemon for everything from cleaning out the microwave to beating grease and limescale. Here are a few top lemon-based cleaning tips to try out:

Using a Lemon to Clean the Inside of a Microwave

This is a quick tip to rid your microwave of all those spits and splatters that occur during cooking, and the good news is it couldn’t be simpler. To start, squeeze the juice of around half a lemon into a bowl containing approximately 2 cups of water. Next, heat the bowl in the microwave for around 1-2 minutes, allowing the vapours to condense on the microwave roof and sides. Finally, wipe the microwave clean. You should find this makes it easier to remove stubborn stains as well as neutralizing unpleasant odours.

Boost your Dishwasher Degreaser

If you have a particularly greasy load to wash up then lemon could be your secret weapon. Simply add a teaspoon of lemon juice alongside your usual dishwasher degreaser to make it even more effective!

Remove Limescale from Taps & Faucets

Unsightly limescale can really detract from a stylish bathroom or kitchen, but again lemon is a great antidote. Cut a lemon in half and scrub the affected area, this should bring back the shine but you need to rinse the area well.

Already a fan of lemon? Add your own tips and tricks to the comments below.

Tags: Cleaning Tips, Degreaser