Know your Lemons
ey make good plants, very colorful for your patio or terrace. In addition, they smell heavenly, especially if you get organic lemons. Most people use lemons during hot periods to cool down with lemonades and ice and a drop or two of vanilla essence. Instead of sweeting with sugar, use stevia instead. Add ice cubes of filtered water, and, voila, what a great drink!
Are Lemons Acidic or Alkalinizing?
With the attention being placed on choosing a balance between acid and alkaline foods, mose people are concerned about the acidity or alkalinity of the lemon. Some hat lemons are acidifying, others that they are medium alkalizers, and still others feel that they are alkalizing
In Alkalize or Die, the author says they are alkaline forming.
What does ALKALIZING means. It means that after the acids are used up in metabolism, there is a net increase or alkaline minerals that is larger than the increase in acid minerals LEFT OVER. This is what forms your alkaline reserves, or more correctly, buffer.
Some uses of lemons in the household, naturally or as juice or oil
Lubricant -
Lemon oil good on furniture
Aromatherapy
Lemon oil calm fears and lift depression.
Antiseptic/Deodorizer/Air Freshener
Simmer sliced lemons in water. I like to use 2-3 lemons to about 4 cups of water. Simmer for a few hours, replacing water as needed. Use lemon juice for deodorizing counters, cutting boards, and more. The acid in lemon juice kills mold, bacteria, and germs. Using leftover lemon and lime rinds in the garbage disposal is a great way to deodorize this apparatus, which so often can give off an odor.
Glass and China Cleaner
The acid in lemon juice will break down the alkaline minerals found in hard water. It will also work on stains. Make a solution of ½ water and ½ lemon juice and place in the glass, letting the solution set there for a few hours before washing as usual.
Microwave Cleaner
Just put a slice or two of lemon in a cup of water and put in the microwave for 30 seconds on high. Use a cloth to clean dry. You can substitute a tablespoon or so of lemon juice with water.
Metal Cleaner
An acid like lemon juice works wonders for cleaning metals such as chrome, copper, and brass. There are myriad ways to get the lemon juice onto the metal, from simply rubbing the metal with a cut lemon (use the majority of the juice for a salad dressing), to mixing lemon juice with salt for a bit of an abrasive.
Whitener
Lemon juice and the sun combined proves to whiten clothes, hair, and more.
Soap Scum/Shower Stalls
Soap is very alkaline and when it combines with hard water minerals it tends to form soap scum that can then coat shower stalls, bathtubs, and sinks. Acids cut through this soap scum. Use lemon juice straight on a sponge and wash it onto the soap scum, let set for a few hours, and then rinse.
Mineral Buildup/Scale
Minerals are very alkaline and the acid of lemon juice cuts through and dissolves the minerals. Known as scale, mineral buildup frequently gets hard and in particular resides around faucets. Pour straight lemon juice on a washcloth or clean cloth. Lay the cloth over the scale and let set for a few hours before rinsing and cleaning the area.
PERSONAL CARE
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Freshly squeezed lemon juice on the face can be one of the best facials you give yourself. Lemon is a natural alpha hydroxyl acid and works like a charm to remove dead skin cells. Add some carrot juice for some vitamin A and you have something as good as found in any spa!
Hair Lightener
Squeeze ½ cup of lemon juice into a container with a spout, pour on your hair, work it through, and set in the sun until it is fully dry and then wash as usual. Make sure not to get the lemon juice in your eyes!
Skin Lightener
Dab freshly squeezed, straight lemon juice on dark spots like “liver spots” that you want to remove. Let it fully dry and then rinse.