Whether you use the juice for an effective and safe repellent or the lemon zest as a natural deodorizer, you will soon find yourself plucking fruit from your tree a lot more often.

Here are 7 ways to get the most from your lemon zest, juice and peel.

All purpose cleaner

Begin by mixing equal parts lemon juice and water. Warm the mixture for a few minutes in the microwave and leave to cool. Once your mixture is back to room temperature, pour it into a spray bottle and use to clean any of your household surfaces. This all natural lemon cleaner is great on windows, floors, kitchen counters and even bathroom tiles! And best of all, it’s completely safe for children and pets!

Ant deterrent

Spraying Lemon juice in an area where ants seem to gather will act as a deterrent and can help to prevent reoccurring invasions!

Refrigerator deodorizer

A small container of lemon zest placed inside the fridge will help to absorb and eliminate unpleasant food odors!

Microwave miracle

Do you scrub for hours to remove tough cooked-on food from the tray and walls of your microwave? Try microwaving some slices of fruit from your tree first. The evaporated juice will help to soften harden food and you will be able to wipe the interior clean in half the time!

Toilet bowl deodorizer

To give your toilet bowl a clean, but pleasant smell add a small amount of lemon juice to the bowl water after using your preferred bowl cleaner. The juice will help to lift the chemical smells which heavier strength cleaners leave behind!

Laundry uses

Adding lemon juice to your wash can help to remove grass stains and can also help to give clothes a fresh, energizing scent!

Hand scrub

Cooking is enjoyable, but the smell left on hands isn’t. To remove the lingering scent of garlic, fish or onions from your hands rub them with a small amount of lemon zest and rinse! This is an old wives tip that really works!

Here are five helpful and handy citrus oil remedies:

Acid Reflux: In recent studies, citrus oil and juice has been shown to alleviate a great deal of the discomfort associated with acid reflux. It is believed that the acids in the citrus remedies counteract the body’s own acidity and as a result decreases the amount of reflux and calm any burning sensations.

Fatigue: Citrus oil can have an extremely rejuvenating and energizing effect when used as aromatherapy. When essential oils are added to warm bath water, anyone can take advantage of this and can successfully decrease the symptoms associated with fatigue, sleep deprivation or low energy.

Hair Growth: When combined with other essential oils such as cedar wood, rosemary and lavender, citrus oil is said to rejuvenate damaged hair follicles and increase the amount of new hair growth. Though this remedy is not scientifically proven, studies done recently in Scotland showed a 44% increase in hair growth for all participants!

Common Cold: Though citrus oils may be too strong for these remedies, lemon juice has often been used to cure the common every day cold. Whether added to tea, steeped with whiskey or used in humidifier mists, citrus juice and oils are known worldwide to alleviate many cold symptoms such as congestion, chest cough and sore, scratchy throats.

Bacteria and Germs: Need an all-natural antibacterial hand soap to help combat bacteria and seasonal germs? Consider using citrus oils and juices. When rubbed on hands, lemon and lime oils can help to kill any bacteria that regular soap leaves behind. This is the perfect remedy for anyone who finds themselves working in germ-infested conditions such as school classrooms, public washrooms or even pet care!