Amazing Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do With Lemons

You've all heard the old saying: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But did you know that there's an entire world of alternative options when it comes to what you can use lemons for?

Here, we have compiled 18 different ways you can use your sour citrus around your home, on your body, and in your fridge - use them to really turn something sour into something sweet.

Make them last longer.

First of all, make sure you are storing your lemons right. Instead of leaving them out on the counter top, place them in a jar, fill it with water, put a lid on it, and place in the fridge. The water seals the lemon peel and will prevent the lemons from drying out.

Brighten your nails

Mix lemon juice and baking soda into a paste. Apply the paste to your nails and lightly massage. This will leave your nails clean and bright.

Get your chrome gleaming

Instead of using expensive toxic cleaners, scrub the hard water stains on your chrome fixtures with a lemon. It will leave them shiny and sparkling.

Use lemon zest for flavor...not to mention health benefits

Use a grater to make lemon zest. Store in the freezer and use when needed. Zest can be used to flavor tea, smoothies, desserts, salads, and dressings.

Bonus: Limonene is a compound found in the peels of lemon, grapefruit, and orange. Limonene is chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic against lung, liver, mammary, and skin cancer. Researchers say even as little as a tablespoon of grated lemon can benefit us significantly.

Freeze cut lemons so you don't run out

Cut them into slices, place on cookie sheet, and freeze. Then place them in a ziploc bag and use them when you need them.

Make your home smell amazing.

Add 1 sliced lemon, 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, and 1-3 tablespoons of vanilla to a shallow pot of water. Bring to a boil, then let simmer. Add more water as needed. Enjoy the fresh clean spring smell.

Get rid of ants without harsh pesticides

Lemon juice won't kill ants but the smell of it will disrupt the scent trails that they leave for other ants. The rest of the ants will not follow their paths.

Alkalize your body

Instead of coffee first thing in the morning, treat your body to some warm lemon water. Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C plus they have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral powers. Lemon water will help to alkalize, hydrate, and help to clean toxins out of your body.

Add lemon slices to ice cubes

Add a few drops of lemon juice to each cube. Use the cubes for tea, water, and other beverages.

Keep your avocados from browning

Just place a slice of lemon on it, wrap it in plastic, and place in the fridge.

Combine lemons with vinegar for a great all-purpose cleanser

Mix white vinegar with lemon peels so it doesn't have the smell of vinegar. Vinegar is an economical, all-natural, environmentally friendly, and kills most bacteria, mold, and germs

Lighten your hair

Spray some lemon juice in your hair for natural highlights.

Brighten your skin

Combine lemon and honey to make a face mask. This is excellent for acne prone skin, uneven skin tone, and dark spots. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial that will absorb impurities from the pores and soften the skin, while lemon juice exfoliates and brightens.

Clean your cutting boards

Just use a cut lemon and kosher salt to clean and disinfect your cutting board.

Use lemons on elbows and knees to lighten and soften them

Don't use a fresh lemon, reuse one.

Brighten copper

Apply coarse sea salt and lemon on copper. Let sit for 20 minutes and then scrub and rinse.

Keep your apples from browning

Soak cut apples in a bowl of cold lemon water. Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per 1 cup of water.

Remove rust stains from clothes

Apply lemon juice and salt directly on rust stain. Let sit for 24 hours and then wash.