Most of us recognize the fresh, citrus note of Lemon: we find it used in foods (from seafood dishes to teas) and products (from bathroom scrubs to wood polish).
Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil offers a broad range of therapeutic and energetic properties that support its incorporation in such varied items, particularly those used for wellness and cleaning.
As you might imagine, the bright, refreshing, fruity citrus fragrance of Lemon energetically uplifts, cheers, and cleanses.
Magically, Lemon aligns with health, physical energy, and purification, too.
For all of this energetic positivity, aromatherapists often joke that Lemon is therapeutically anti–everything: antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antidepressant, antiviral, antispasmodic, anti-rheumatic, and anti-infectious to name just a few!
One can easily understand why Lemon remains so popular and widely leveraged in products–with a pleasant fragrance and multitude of uses, it remains a logical choice. Unfortunately, many ready-made products featuring “lemon scent” don’t rely on true Lemon oil, but rather a synthetic fragrance designed to smell like Lemon. In such cases, the natural benefits of pure Lemon essential oil are lost. Thankfully, Lemon essential oil is inexpensive, easy to find, and simple to use in natural cleaning products for your home. Considered here are just a few…
Simple Antimicrobial Deodorizing Spray
The fastest, simplest way to begin to incorporate an essential oil into your cleaning routine: just add water and a spray bottle!
- Small spray bottle
- 2 oz water
- 20 drops Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil
Combine water and essential oil in your spray bottle. Shake vigorously after blending and before each use. Spray in the air, in your trash cans, and on kitchen sponges to keep things fresh.
Still too complicated? Grab a cotton ball with tweezers and pour three-four drops of Lemon oil on it, then drop it in the bottom of your trash can. Just be sure neither kids nor pets can get to the cotton ball and you’re set. Ta-da!
Lemon Fresh Window Wash
This glass cleaning blend has a sharp, clean scent thanks to the vinegar and Lemon. You can always cut the Lemon in half and add some Lavender essential oil instead if you want to soften the fragrance…
- 12 oz spray bottle
- 11 oz water
- 1 oz white vinegar
- 40 drops Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake vigorously after blending and before each use. Spray on untreated windows and mirrors and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Homemade Wood Polish
Did you know you can make a heavenly-scented, all-natural wood polish with just four ingredients? Once you’ve tried this, you’ll never go back.
- 4 oz glass jar
- 3 oz walnut oil
- 1 oz beeswax
- 15 drops Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil
- 15 drops Pine or Fir essential oil (consider Balsam or Siberian Fir, Pinon or Ponderosa Pine)
Melt the beeswax in the top of a double boiler or Pyrex cup set in a pot with a small amount of simmering water. Add the walnut oil and blend with the beeswax. Remove from the heat and add your essential oils, stirring to blend. Pour into your heatproof glass jar and seal to prevent the essential oils from evaporating. Allow to cool and harden completely before using.
To use your wood polish, apply a dab to a clean towel or rag and work into the wood’s surface. Wipe with a new, clean rag to remove any remaining polish. Be sure to test a hidden corner of your surface in advance to make sure there is no reaction with the stain or finish on your furniture.
Coffee Pot Scrub
If you use your coffee pot and Thermos’ like we do, you, too, will find this simple scrub indispensable! It’s not just natural, it is incredibly effective at removing stains from the inside of coffee and tea pots, Thermos cans, and mugs.
- 2 T table salt
- 1 T baking soda
- 1 drop Lemon (Citrus limon) essential oil
- Water
Combine salt and baking soda in a small bowl. Add essential oil and mix well. Add just enough water to create a paste without dissolving the salt and soda blend. Apply a small amount of paste to a clean, soft sponge and use as an abrasive to remove coffee and tea stains from inside pots and mugs. Rinse thoroughly when finished.
For truly stubborn stains, you can dissolve the mixture in water to fill the pot and allow it to stand overnight before wiping clean with a sponge the following day.
Bless and blessed be!
