Cleaning with lemon: 5 uses that work – and when citric acid is better

It smells fresh, it's in every kitchen and it dissolves light limescale: cleaning with lemon puts a handy household remedy at your fingertips. Lemon juice, however, contains relatively little acid, along with sugar and pulp – so for some jobs it is only second best.

Five uses show where the fruit really helps around the home. You'll also find out when citric acid powder from the shop is the better choice, and which surfaces acid should never touch.

Why cleaning with lemon works – and where it stops

The fruit owes its cleaning power to the acid it contains. Acids dissolve limescale, the calcium and magnesium deposits left behind by hard water. The essential oils in the peel provide the fresh scent. The Swiss consumer protection foundation (Stiftung für Konsumentenschutz) lists lemon juice and citric acid among the tried-and-tested household remedies that replace many specialist cleaners.

The limits are clear, though: the juice is only partly acid – the rest is water, sugar and pulp. These residues can turn sticky and need rinsing off. Against thick layers of limescale it hardly has the strength, and it offers no reliable disinfection.

1. Steam-clean the microwave

This is the classic, and it works: the steam softens splashes on the ceiling and walls, and the scent masks food smells.

1. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water and add half a fruit, sliced.
2. Heat on high for a few minutes until the water steams and the window mists up.
3. Leave the door closed for five minutes so the steam can work.
4. Carefully take the bowl out – it's hot – and wipe the inside with a damp cloth.

Wash the turntable separately with washing-up liquid. You'll find more tips in our guide clean a microwave.

2. Freshen up wooden boards and hands

Wooden chopping boards absorb the smell of onions, garlic or fish. Sprinkle coarse salt on the board and rub it with half a lemon, cut side down. The salt acts as a gentle scouring agent, and the juice lightens slight discolouration. Then rinse with hot water and leave the board to dry standing upright.

Important: this is no substitute for hygiene. After raw meat, poultry or fish, wash the board with hot water and washing-up liquid. Our guide clean a wooden chopping board shows how to look after wooden boards properly.

The juice also helps get rid of fish or onion smells on your hands – though it stings in small cuts.

3. Dissolve light limescale on taps and glass

For thin, fresh limescale marks on the tap, shower head or glasses, this household remedy does the job well:

• Rub the tap with the cut side of half a fruit.
• Leave it for a few minutes, but don't let it dry on.
• Rinse with clean water and buff dry with a soft cloth.

With coated, coloured or gold-finish taps, follow the manufacturer's instructions – not every surface tolerates acid.

4. Neutralise kitchen odours

Peel and slices bring a fresh scent into the kitchen. A few pieces of peel in the bin or half a lemon in the fridge mask unpleasant smells for a short while. They don't remove the cause, though: spoiled food has to go, and fridge and bin need a thorough clean.

Here the fruit is a helper, not a substitute for proper cleaning. What's more, a cut fruit left in the fridge will itself go mouldy after a few days – replace it in good time.

5. Make brass and copper shine

Tarnished brass and copper brighten up again with a little juice. Mix it with some salt to form a paste, apply it with a soft cloth and rub gently. Then rinse thoroughly with water and buff dry straight away, or new spots will form.

This only applies to unlacquered metal. Clean lacquered brass only with mild soapy water, otherwise the lacquer goes dull. For valuable antiques, it's better to ask a specialist. More in our guide clean brass.

When citric acid beats cleaning with lemon

For bigger descaling jobs, powder from the shop is the better choice. It is more concentrated, can be dosed precisely, leaves no pulp and costs less per use than fresh fruit. Typical uses are the kettle, shower screen, washbasin and toilet.

Dissolve the powder according to the pack instructions in cold or lukewarm water, not hot. Why the temperature matters and when vinegar is the alternative is explained in our guide descaling: citric acid or vinegar.

Common mistakes

• Acid on natural stone: it attacks marble and limestone and leaves dull patches that can't be polished away.
• Not rinsing: sugar and pulp turn sticky and attract dirt.
• Using it as a disinfectant: after raw meat, the juice is not enough.
• Fighting thick limescale with juice: it costs a lot of fruit and time – powder is more efficient.
• Combining acid and chlorine: dangerous, even in small amounts.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.