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10 brilliant life hacks using lemons

From health and beauty to cleaning and deodorising, this humble little citrus fruit has so many amazing uses. So when life gives you lemons, it's time to get hacking! - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 17 May 2016
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons
10 brilliant life hacks using lemons

A deodoriser for your fridge

Cut a lemon in half and leave it in the fridge to cancel out any lingering odours. Leave for 2 to 3 days.

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Household cleaner for glass, mirrors, bathroom soap scum

Mix lemon juice with water and baking soda in a spray bottle and use instead of chemical household cleaners. Spray on surfaces, leave for 5-10 minutes and wipe away with a cloth.

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Fight acne

Use a drop of lemon juice directly on a spot to treat acne, or rub a slice of lemon on your face, carefully avoiding the eye area, to treat acne and blackheads over time. Lemon has antibacterial properties that help to fight skin problems. Wait a few minutes then rinse of the lemon with water. But remember, never apply to broken skin... ouch!

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Toilet bowl cleaner

For really stubborn stains in the toilet bowl that just won't budge, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle with a coarse sea salt. Wearing rubber gloves, scrub the bowl directly with the lemon until stains start to lift.

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Clean a wooden cutting board

Rub half a lemon on your wooden cutting boards to clean, freshen and get rid of odours that are ingrained into your cutting board and simply rinse away with water.

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Keep food fresher

Squeeze lemon onto avocado, apples, bananas, etc, to stop them from turning brown once they are cut. You can also bring limp lettuce or celery back to life by soaking in cold water with some lemon juice and then pop it in the fridge.

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Soothe a sore throat

If you have a sore throat, beware that you may be on the brink of a cold or flu. Don't go out and buy sugar-filled lozenges, gargle with old fashioned salt and water and drink soothing lemon, honey and ginger tea.

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Brighten your whites

Instead of harsh chemicals found in bleach and laundry whiteners that can damage fabrics over time, add a quarter to half a cup of lemon juice to your laundry when washing whites to make them brighter.

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Keep away creepy crawlies

Cockroaches and other crawling insects don't like the acidity of citrus, so it's a good idea to mop the kitchen floor with hot water and lemon juice to help keep them away. Or mix some lemon with olive oil in a small spray bottle and use as a personal insect repellent.

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Whiten teeth

Mix equal parts baking soda and lemon juice and rub on to teeth with a cotton bud or toothbrush, leave for around 30-45 seconds and then rinse and brush teeth normally. Don't leave it for too long as you don't want to damage your tooth enamel. Do this a few times a week and you'll notice your teeth will whiten over time.

Thinkstock

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