9 Things You Should Be Cleaning With Salt And Lemon Mixture

Salt and lemon aren't just a great way to chase a tequila shot. People who are in the know about natural cleaning methods will attest to the abilities of lemon and salt to scour and clean a multitude of household items. With the mild abrasiveness of salt and the grease-cutting ability of the lemon, due to its citric acid content, it's no wonder many people swear by its ability to scrub off even the toughest grime. And there are many places in your home where you can put this cleaning combo to good use.

Lemon is used in many store-bought household cleaners, and it's not just added for its fresh, citrusy scent (although that is lovely). It also has natural anti-microbial qualities, effectively removes limescale, has odor-fighting ability, and breaks up grease and grime. But instead of using chemical cleaners in your home, you can opt for a more non-toxic version that you make yourself. From cleaning and deodorizing wood cutting boards and tools to polishing metal and even loosening and removing rusted screws, lemon and salt deserve a place in your cleaning arsenal. These cleaning hacks are not only safe, budget-friendly, and effective — they smell way better than harsh chemical cleaners, too. And you most likely already have lemon and salt in your pantry to try out these hacks.

Looking for an easy way to clean stains and deodorize your wood cutting boards? Grab a lemon, slice it in half, sprinkle some salt on the lemon, and scrub down your board. After you've thoroughly scrubbed your cutting board, rinse it with warm water. This combo has been shown to be effective in getting rid of deeply embedded odors and stains. Now you have a clean, deodorized, and fresh-smelling cutting surface ready for your next meal.

There's nothing worse than burning food in your favorite pan, and it can seem impossible to get it clean — that is, until you introduce lemon and salt. One method suggests squeezing lemon juice directly onto the burnt areas, sprinkling some salt on it, and letting it sit for about 30 minutes. The citric acid in the lemon breaks up the grease and caked-on food. Remove the bigger pieces of stuck food, scrub with a sponge, and then give it a quick rinse with warm water. No one will know you burnt dinner.

Salt and lemon are especially effective in restoring the shine to your stainless-steel sink, and they also add a fresh scent. Simply cut your lemon in half, add salt to the lemon top, and scrub around your entire sink — include your drains and faucets for a thorough clean. The citric acid in the lemon breaks down the stains, and the salt cleans the rest with its mild abrasive action. Rinse out your sink, and you're all done.

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the safety of using a wire brush to clean your grill. You can avoid any issues by simply using a lemon and salt. This hack is most effective if your grill is still slightly warm, not hot. Using a long-handled grill fork for safety, poke half a lemon onto your fork, add salt, and scrub your grill grates. Stuck-on food and crust should come clean with a couple of scrubs. Repeat for especially stuck-on food, then your grill is clean and ready for your next cookout.

Cleaning soap scum (hard water stains) off shower doors always feels like a huge chore, but when you use the half lemon with salt to scrub it down, it will be clean in no time. Grab some gloves and start at the top of your shower door. Use your lemon with salt and scrub until you have covered the entire door. Then, rinse with warm water. Soap scum is no match for this powerful cleaning duo. Another great example of an area in your bathroom you should be using lemon to clean.

If you've ever worked in a restaurant, you might know this lemon peel trick for a sparkling clean coffee pot. Take your stained coffee pot (make sure it is not hot), fill the carafe with ice about halfway, add quartered lemons and some salt, and swirl it around. When you notice the stains disappear, rinse, and your coffee pot is ready for its next brew.

Having copper cookware in your kitchen or brass figurines in your den can be a sign of good taste, but what happens when those items get tarnished? Lemon and salt can easily polish up your metal items. Give them a little scrub with a lemon half sprinkled with salt, let the mixture sit for a minute or two, and then rinse. Your copper or brass should look shiny and new after a quick dry with a microfiber cloth. Avoid using on valuable collectables as the mild abrasiveness of salt can damage softer metals.

Is your all-time favorite mug forever stained from many years of late-night coffee? Not to worry. Simply sprinkle some salt into it, add the juice of a lemon, and scrub with a cloth or soft sponge. You should see those stains disappear in no time. Repeat whenever you see the rings begin to reappear to keep your coffee cup looking new.

Like with your coffee pot, cleaning your garbage disposal can be enhanced with ice, alongside lemon and salt, for a powerful clean. First, add two quartered lemons to your garbage disposal, some ice, and about ½ cup of coarse salt. Run your garbage disposal with lukewarm water until everything has been processed. Repeat whenever your disposal smells not so fresh.