wowie | When life gives you lemons... (Reply)

EXFOLIATE. Mix up some lemon pulp and brown sugar and get to work on your feet and elbows. Rinse and moisturize.

UNSTICK RICE. To keep rice from sticking together into a globby mess, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to boiling water before adding the rice. When done allow to cool, then fluff with a fork. It will stay sparkling white, too!

NO MORE SOGGY LETTUCE. Instead of tossing out that soggy, limp lettuce, do this: Add the juice of a half lemon to a bowl of cold water. Put the soggy lettuce leaves in the water and refrigerate for one hour. Remove leaves and dry before making a salad.

CHASE PESTS. Ants, roaches and fleas hate citrus, so do this to keep them away: Squirt lemon juice on the door thresholds and windowsills. Scatter small pieces of lemon peel in the areas around outside entrances to your home. Mix the juice of four lemons, along with the rind, with 1/2 gallon of water. Use this to clean your floors. The residual smell of citrus will keep pests away.

DEODORIZE DISPOSAL. Whenever your disposal starts to send up an offending odor, don’t buy an expensive treatment. Instead, save leftover lemon and orange peels and toss them down the drain. Repeat monthly for good maintenance.

FIGHT OFF A COLD. Mix lemon juice with honey and hot water to soothe coughs and sore throats. For a bonus you’ll get a dose of vitamin C.

MAKE LEMONADE. The basic recipe is 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. This mixture will be a concentrated syrup you can dilute as you like. Add ice.

FRESHEN DISHWASHER. Jam half a lemon onto an upright tine in your dishwasher. Run the cycle as usual. The dishes will sparkle from the citric acid and the machine will smell fresh. This helps cut grease and is far more eco-friendly than commercial products you buy to do the same job.

REMOVE WATERMARKS. Get rid of mineral deposits and clean up tarnished chrome, too. Rub the cut side of half a lemon over stainless steel and porcelain sinks and the faucets, too. Allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse well. Buff with a soft cloth.