Old lemons can be a precious resource: don't throw them away - you can still use them in many ways

A lemon can make all the difference to a myriad of savory and sweet dishes, and also many cold or hot drinks. It is used all over the world throughout the year and most of us always have a few at home. However, sometimes lemons are not consumed in time, and dry out, shrinking in size and with the rind wrinkling (puckering). The flesh inside also becomes hard and really unpleasant to taste.

So what can we do with expired lemons? They shouldn't be thrown away, on the contrary: they can come in handy in different ways at home.

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• To remove unpleasant or overpowering odors immediately after cooking: Just like with vinegar, lemon juice can also help deodorize the kitchen immediately after cooking. When the pot or pan is still hot, fill it with 2 or 3 inches of water, slice up the lemon, put the slices in the water, bring the water to a simmer (for a maximum of 5 minutes), then switch off and let everything cool down. The smell of lemon will replace the cooking odors!
• For cleaning the microwave: When the inside of your microwave is dirty, greasy or grimy, insert a small bowl with water and a few lemon wedges or slices inside it, first squeezing the juice from each piece into the bowl. Then start a cooking cycle at high power for one minute. And if necessary, repeat the process after a 30-second break. After doing this, it will be very easy to remove the grime.
• To clean cutting boards: Cut a lemon in half and squeeze out some of the juice onto the cutting board, then sprinkle the cutting board itself with rock salt (or baking soda). Then use the lemon as a sponge to scrub the entire surface. This method can be used on any type of cutting board, but it is particularly suitable for wooden ones (which perhaps should be treated with a little vegetable oil afterwards).
• To clean trash cans: When the bottom of your trash can is very dirty, take it outside, fill the bottom with very hot water and then take a lemon, divide it into 4 wedges, squeeze the juice into the water. Add half a glass of white vinegar, close the lid and this mixture sit for about 20 minutes. Empty the bucket and the dirt will have softened, and the smell will already be much more tolerable. At this point, you can wash the trash can using a degreasing / sanitizing detergent, or even a mixture of dish soap with vinegar.

In short, old lemons can still be of service!