Lemons are the ultimate natural spring cleaning aid

Cleaning products come in lemon-scented varieties, so you probably already associate the citrus fruit with a tidy home. There’s a reason for that: lemons are one of the best natural cleaning products you can find. They’re capable of removing stubborn stains and eliminating nasty odors. If you’re finally ready to give up aggressive chemicals and toxins in your regular cleaning products, lemon juice is a useful and affordable option that is surprisingly effective.

The citric acid in lemons kills both bacteria and removes mold, while the oil in lemon peels can cut through grease and other substances. If you have access to a supply of lemons, try these household cleaning tricks.

For more at-home tips, discover the secret ingredient for cleaning burnt cast iron cookware or check out simple tricks to lower your electric, gas and water bills this fall.

Here are seven ways you can use lemons to make your spring cleaning a success this year.

1. Clean your windows

To remove streaks from windows and other glass surfaces, squeeze about two tablespoons of lemon juice into an empty spray bottle. Add about a tablespoon of white vinegar and a cup of hot (but not boiling) water.

Shake the mixture well and apply to the surface to be cleaned.

2. Clean your garbage disposer

If there is a strange smell coming from your sink, throw a few lemon wedges or peels down the drain and rinse them down with some cold water. For particularly strong odors, you can add some baking soda to the mix.

3. Removing stains from sheets and pillowcases

Has a set-in stain ruined your linen? Treat it with a mixture of lemon juice and salt and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Rinse with warm water and vinegar, then let it dry in the sun. Repeat if necessary. (This technique is also good for sweat stains on shirts.)

If your white sheets have become dull, you can also use lemons to brighten them up. Fill a large pot with water and add a few lemon slices, bring to a boil. After turning off the heat, add the sheets and let them soak for an hour. Then wash your linens as you normally would.

4. Clean chrome faucets and fixtures

Even when they’re not dirty, chrome fixtures can lose their shine due to limescale, calcium deposits, and soap scum. To make them shine again, cut a lemon in half and run it over faucets, handles, drains, and other metal surfaces. Rinse and dry thoroughly when you’re done.

5. Polish brass and copper

Coat half a lemon with coarse salt, then rub it over tarnished pots, cabinet handles, and other metal objects. (Make sure they’re not varnished.) When you’re done, wipe it down with a damp cloth, followed by a soft, dry cloth. You can also revitalize wood furniture with a two-to-one solution of olive oil and lemon juice.

6. Kill weeds in your garden or yard

If you’re not comfortable keeping harsh chemicals out of reach of children or pets, a little lemon juice can serve as a functional weed killer.

Be careful how much you use and where you apply it because the acidity in the lemons can harm plants you want to save and even change the pH of the soil.

7. Remove stains from your plastic containers

If you’ve ever put spaghetti in a plastic container, you know how easy it is to stain tomato sauce with an unappealing color. Instead of throwing it away, fill the container to the brim with lemon juice and let it sit for a few hours. Pour out the juice and then scrub the item thoroughly to remove the stain.

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