Buzz
Cleaning and disinfecting your kitchen isn’t the most exciting task. For those avoiding harsh chemical cleaners, hacks like using lemon halves in the dishwasher have sparked considerable interest.
So, is it time to head to the produce aisle for your next cleaning tool?
As noted by Consumer Reports, lemons (along with oranges and vinegar) are popular natural cleaners thanks to their acidic properties. Citric acid, specifically, can help break down stains and combat germs by disrupting proteins. The connection between lemons and cleanliness dates back centuries, likely making more sense in times before chemical cleaners were commonplace.
Today, commercial cleaners typically outperform natural alternatives. A 1994 study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found that natural solutions like lemon and vinegar were far less effective on laminate tiles compared to chemical cleaners. Microbial counts dropped significantly after chemical cleaning, and store-bought cleaners were more effective at removing dirt. (Among the natural cleaners, vinegar showed the best results.)
Should lemons ever be used for cleaning? They can be helpful in certain situations. Citric acids are chelating agents that bind with magnesium and calcium, making them effective for breaking down limescale and the mineral build-up often found on faucets, showers, and dishwashers. Citrus fruits and vinegar may dissolve limescale in a way that many conventional cleaners can't—unless they contain citric acid.
However, using a single lemon likely won’t do much for something as large as a dishwasher. (And unless the seeds are removed, they could cause a clog.) Commercial dishwasher cleaners—and regularly changing the filter—are the most reliable methods for keeping the appliance clean.
If you decide to use commercial cleaners, don’t make the mistake of wiping them off immediately. Most cleaners come with instructions to let them sit on the surface for a designated period (anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 minutes) to either sanitize (reduce bacteria) or disinfect (eliminate bacteria and viruses). If there’s a build-up of dirt or food crumbs, it’s important to remove it before applying the solution.
In conclusion: Lemons and other citrus fruits have mild cleaning properties and are likely best for tackling limescale and deodorizing (but not disinfecting) smaller surfaces like cutting boards. Do they perform as well as chemical cleaners designed to kill germs? They don’t. Yet the link between citrus and cleanliness remains strong: it’s why so many high-end cleaners are lemon-scented.
