7 Brilliant Uses for Lemons (Hint: They're Not Just For Eating!)

Lemons are incredibly versatile citrus fruits that you can do more with than just flavor a meal. Find out some clever non-food uses for lemons right here!

In 2018, lemons reached a record-high price due to a shortage in Argentina. If you don't want this to ever be an issue for you, you can grow your own lemon fruit. Why would I need that many lemons, you ask?

Read on to learn about 7 smart uses for lemons that don't involve adding them to a meal.

1. Remove Food Stains

One of the most effective uses for lemons is to remove stains from plastic and wooden cutting boards that you used to make a delicious lemon cake. Cleaning with lemon juice is like using a natural bleach.

All you have to do is half a lemon and squeeze it on the surface you want to be cleaned. Rub it in and let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing with water. Your home will smell like fresh lemons instead of a cleaning chemical.

2. Relieve Sore Throats

The back of your throat gets inflamed when you are sick which can make it hard to talk and swallow. Also, it just hurts.

Instead of using cough syrup to relieve the pain, you can mix honey and lemon. Roast half of a lemon over the stove and mix the juice with a teaspoon of honey. Drink the mixture and feel the pain go away.

3. DIY Moisturizer

Lemon uses for skin are common because lemons have powerful antibacterial properties. They can help prevent breakouts on your face.

To create a lemon moisturizer, you can drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. Those with sensitive skin should always do a patch test first.

4. Reduce Stretch Marks

Using lemon juice for stretch marks is simple. Because it is naturally acidic, it can help reduce and heal stretch marks.

You can apply fresh lemon juice to the area using circular motions. The lemon juice should be left on your skin for 10 minutes and then rinsed off with warm water.

5. Weight Loss

Lemon uses for weight loss involve digesting lemon water. This water can support hydration, boost metabolism, promote fullness, and increase weight loss. Here's more about lemon water for weight loss.

It's important to note that regular water can benefit you in the same ways. However, lemon water is a great substitute for high-calorie beverages. Just squeeze the lemon juice into your water and you have lemon water!

6. Teeth Whitener

Another one of the healthy uses for lemons is making your own teeth whitener. You can do this by mixing baking soda and lemon juice.

You can apply the mixture with a Q-tip. Afterward, scrub your teeth with your toothbrush and rinse.

7. Hair Lightener

If you want to lighten your hair without using harmful dyes, you can try uses for lemon juice. This works best for those whose hair is already on the lighter side. Apply lemon juice to your hair before going out into the sunlight.

Uses for Lemons Explained

There are a lot of brilliant uses for lemons that you wouldn't ordinarily think of. Because they are such versatile citrus, having them around when needed is beneficial. You can even grow your own to truly reap the benefits of lemon uses.

Try our seasonal citrus box while its available...the Craft Citrus Club!

Our Rio box is a 15-lb curated box of our fresh-harvested citrus from South Texas. The fruit is NOT gassed, rather it is tree-ripened. Our season runs from Nov-May for oranges, grapefruit and mandarins.

Our Grande box is a 30-lb box of either fresh-harvested Rio Red Grapefruit or Sweet Oranges from South Texas.