Wondering what to do with lemons when you’re left with a half? There’s no need to toss it in the trash! We’re sharing some of our favorite ways to use the fresh fruit in the kitchen, for cleaning, and even for beauty and skincare needs.
How to Store Half a Lemon
First, if you want to store your lemon for later, the best way to do so is to put it in an airtight plastic container. Or, simply wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, secure the plastic wrap in place with a rubber band, and pop it in the fridge. The key is to prevent the fruit from drying out.
If you find yourself with half a lemon on your hands a lot, you might want to consider investing in a lemon saver. They help keep the fresh produce fresh for at least a week, if not longer!
What to Do with Lemons: In the Kitchen
1. Flavored Water
Many people claim that the best way to start the day is with a glass of warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice. However, if that’s not your thing, use half a lemon to make a pitcher of infused water instead.
Cut the fruit into wedges or slices. Then, combine it with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, lime, cucumber, or orange slices, quartered strawberries, whole raspberries, or other fruit. As the water sits in the fridge, the flavors will infuse into it.
2. Caramelize Meals
Slice the lemon as thinly as possible (use a mandoline slicer if you have one). Then, add the slices to a sheet pan of roasted broccoli, chicken, potatoes, or cauliflower 5 minutes before they’re finished cooking. The fruit slices will caramelize and add flavor to the finished dish—and the slices themselves can be eaten, too!
3. Cookies
3. These Lemon Cookies are brightened up with the flavor of real lemon juice. A half of a lemon is just about all you need!
4. Tea
Combine slices of lemon and slices of fresh ginger in a large mug, and pour boiling water over the top to make your own lemony-ginger tea. Add a generous squeeze of honey to sweeten for the perfect cold or sore throat remedy.
5. Finishing Salt
Combine the zest and juice from half a. lemon with kosher salt or sea salt to make a finishing salt for chicken or fish.
6. Homemade Dressing
Combine olive oil and lemon juice to make a simple vinaigrette dressing. Or, use the fruits to make a classic Caesar dressing instead.
7. Refresh Lettuce
Is your lettuce a little soggy and past its prime? Fill a large bowl with cold water, and stir in the juice from half a lemon. Add the lettuce, and pop the bowl in the fridge for an hour. Drain and dry the leaves, and they’ll be crisp again!
8. Buttermilk
Combine a little bit of lemon juice and milk to make homemade buttermilk in minutes. Use one tablespoon of juice for every scant cup of milk.
9. 7-up Cake
Use half a lemon to make a 7-Up cake for dessert!
What to Do with Lemons: Cleaning
10. Clean Wood
Generously sprinkle the cut side of the fruit with kosher salt. Then, use it to give your wooden cutting boards a good scrub.
Once you’re done, squeeze the juice onto the board, and let it sit for 5 minutes before rinsing rinse. Not only does this clean cutting boards, but it helps deodorize them, too.
11. Clean Stainless Steel and Copper
Use this same method for cleaning wood to scrub away unexplained stains and spots on stainless steel and copper sinks, pans, and skillet. Sprinkle the fruit with kosher salt, and scrub. Your tools and appliances will look brand new!
12. Remove Scale Buildup
Does the inside of your tea kettle have scale buildup? Scrub it with your leftover lemon half, and rinse well.
13. Clean the Microwave
Place two cups of water in a glass measuring cup. Then, stir in the juice from half a lemon. Microwave until boiling, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Wipe down the inside of the microwave to get rid of grime and mess.
14. Deodorize and De-grease
Deodorize and de-grease your garbage disposal by running leftover lemon through the garbage disposal with water.
15. Remove T-Shirt Stains
Combine equal parts lemon juice and water, and give the underarm stains on white shirts a good scrub before throwing your clothes in the wash! The yellow color will come right out.
16. Remove Hard Water Stains
Lemon juice is excellent for cleaning hard water stains from glass shower doors. Combine the juice from half a lemon with a cup of water. The same combination works for cleaning windows.
17. Clean Showers
For really stubborn hard water stains on a glass shower door, sprinkle a lemon half with salt, and scrub away the buildup.
18. Removing Residue from a Cheese Grater
Grate a lemon half with a cheese grater to remove any leftover gunk or residue.
19. DIY Sink Scrub
Make your own bathtub or sink scrub by combining half a cup of baking soda with enough dish soap to make a paste. Then, spreading it onto a cut lemon, and scrub away.
How to Use Half a Lemon Half: Beauty and Skincare Hacks
20. Age Spots and Hyperpigmentation
If you have age spots or hyperpigmentation, lemon juice can help lighten them. However, it can also make your skin sensitive to the sun. So, only do this at night! Just dab fresh lemon juice directly onto the affected area, and rinse it off at 15 minutes.
21. Remove Blackheads
Blackheads got you down? Squeeze lemon juice onto a cotton round, and rub it over your T-zone at night after washing your face.
22. Nail Brightener
Squeeze half a lemon into a small cup, and whisk in a tablespoon of olive oil. Let your nails soak for a minute or two for a brightening treatment that also strengthens your nails.
23. Hair Highlights
Give yourself old-school highlights by spritzing the juice from half a lemon onto your hair before going outside. The combination of lemon juice and sunshine will lighten your hair naturally.
24. Pedicures
Give your feet some pampering by whisking together the juice of half a lemon with 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of coarse sea salt. Rub the mixture all over your feet, paying extra attention to rough areas. Then, let it sit for 10–15 minutes while you relax with a good book or cup of tea. Rinse, and you’re ready for sandal season.
25. Face Mask
Make a hydrating face mask by combining the juice of half a lemon with two tablespoons of aloe vera gel and one teaspoon of honey. Slather the mixture all over your face and after 15 minutes, rinse it off with warm water.
Ways to Use a Lemon: Other Ideas
26. Simmer Pot
Freshen up your home (or add some much-needed humidity in the wintertime) by simmering a pot of water with lemon slices and rosemary or thyme sprigs on the stove.
27. Ant Catchers
If spring and summer bring ants into every nook and cranny of your home, squeeze lemon juice onto cotton balls, and place them in areas where you see the ants gather. (You can also use straight lemon juice directly on the area. However, because lemon juice is an acid, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t damage the surface first.)
