There is much more to lemons than just using them in cooking and making lemonade. Lemons are handy for multiple purposes around the home! High in vitamic C, with an anti-bacterial effect, lemons posess antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties, which make them useful for a variety of household purposes.

To get the most juice from a lemon, microwave it for few seconds or keep it in room temperature. Roll the lemon on a hard surface and then squeeze it. Incase you need just a little juice, then throw the lemon away. Instead use a fork, pierce the end of the lemon with it, squeeze out little juice, cover the holes with tape and then store in the fridge.

• Ant deterrent: Pour lemon juice on the areas which are frequently visited by ants. This is sure to repell them.
• Air freshener and All purpose cleaner: Add an equal amount of lemon juice and water and keep it in a spray bottle. It can act as a wonderful air freshener for your home and also an effective kitchen and bathroom cleaner. It can also be used on walls. But for that spot test first.
• Microwave cleaning: Heat a bowl of water with lemon slices in your microwave for about a minute. Thake the bowl out and wipe out the oven. Stains will be easier to remove. It can also help in removing food odors.
• Refrigerator refreshing: Half a lemon stored in your fridge will help control and eliminate unpleasant smells.
• Cleaning chrome/copper/brass: Make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and rub chrome or copper. Then rinse and wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel.
• Cleaning toilet: Mix a cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup borax . You can use it as a powerful toilet cleaner, making it extra clean with a good smell.
• Lime scale: Use a half lemon to clean the lime scale off a sink or taps and then rinse well.
• Laundry & bleaching purpose: Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle and hang clothes outside to dry. This will act as a bleaching agent. A teaspoon of lemon juice thrown into your wash can also help your clothes to smell fresher.
• Dishes: Add lemon juice with your dishwashing detergent,. This will give a more shiny look to your dishes.
• Cleaning drains: You can use hot lemon juice and baking soda as a drain cleaner. It is safe to use in septic systems.
• Glass and mirrors: Mix lemon juice with water, say 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with half a gallon of water. Use it as a window cleaner
• Furniture polish: 2 parts olive oil or cooking oil mixed with 1 part lemon juice makes for an excellent furniture polish.
• Hair: If you want to lighten your hair, then dampen it with lemon juice . Sit out in the sun for an hour or so and see the difference. You can also mix lemon juice with one cup warm water. This makes great hair conditioner.
• Cuts, stings and itches: Pour small amount of lemon juice onto minor wounds. This can help stop bleeding and disinfect the injury.
• Hands : Rubbing your hands with lemon juice will help in removing bad smells from your hands.