19 Things You Had No Idea You Could Do With A Lemon

Okay, so you've probably hear about lemon water. While there isn't a lot of evidence about the health benefits of lemon water, it's a flavorful addition that might make water easier to drink. It also contains vitamin C.

Grocery store produce is dirtier than you think, so doing more than a quick rinse is always a good idea. Stir up lemon juice with a bit of white vinegar and water to make an all-natural fruit-and-veggie wash.

If you've got an ant problem, lemon juice is a nice all-natural alternative to insecticides. Squirt it around door thresholds and windowsills, especially in the kitchen where they'll be attracted to food.

Forget mini plastic shot glasses. Class up these boozy treats by hollowing out lemon halves and pouring the Jell-O mixture inside before refrigerating. Once they're set, cut them up and serve them by the slice. You can also follow our recipe for Long Island Iced Tea Jell-O Shots.

Loosen up the grime inside your microwave by heating a cup of water and a chopped-up lemon on high. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe down the sides with ease.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to clean your microwave.

Spritz your strands with lemon juice and warm water before heading out into the sun and you'll notice your hair lightening up throughout the day.

Out of the bottled stuff? Whisk lemon juice and a bit of lemon zest together with olive oil and a few seasonings and you're in business.

Toss a lemon wedge—rind and all—into your garbage disposal, then run it and rinse with cold water to blast any weird smells coming from inside.

Alkalizing lemon juice can help balance your pH levels, and our recipe for Detox Lemonade mixes in some ginger, clove, cayenne and honey to settle your stomach and relieve gas — the perfect cure after a big meal.

Lemon can be seriously helpful when it comes to set-in stains in your clothes. Rub the spot with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with vinegar and warm water. It can get out everything from food to rust to sweat stains.

Skip the pricey manicure and get your fingernails looking fabulous with a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda. Make a pasta and apply it to your nails with a cotton swab and buff until shiny.

If you have everything you need for biscuits or pancakes except for buttermilk, you may be in luck. The acidity of lemon juice added to regular milk makes an ideal substitute — it won't quite have the same consistency, but the tang is there. Here's our guide on how to make buttermilk.

Cutting boards and butcher blocks are bound to take on a few food stains over time. Luckily a quick fix can be found right in your kitchen. Sprinkle the board with salt or baking soda, then run the cut side of a halved lemon over top and rinse with water.

Get rid of fingerprints and other residue on brass cabinet and drawer pulls or chrome faucets by rubbing them with a sponge dampened with lemon juice. Add a bit of salt for tough deposits, then rinse with water and dry.

Bartenders swear by this trick to get rid of pesky hiccups: Douse a lemon slice with several drops of Angostura bitters and eat it or chew on it for a minute or so. It was even written about in The New York Times back in 1981.

Scalp feeling flaky? Massage 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water, then stir 1 teaspoon of juice with 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it. The acidity of the lemon juice will help balance the pH of your scalp to reduce dandruff.

If you're not a fan of store-bought air fresheners or overpowering scented candles, simmer sliced lemons with other aromatics like spices and herbs (rosemary, cinnamon and clove are nice additions) to create a delicious scent that will waft throughout the house.

Spraying lemon juice on unwanted weeds is an easy way to clean up your garden or lawn. The acidity stop them from growing—just make sure to keep the juice away from plants and flowers that you want to stick around.

If you hadn't thought of this one yet, we're here to remind you of all the amazing lemonade recipes made possible by this citrusy fruit. Cheers!