When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen, some people chafe at the idea of using harsh cleansers, which is why viral hacks like adding lemon halves to your dishwasher provoke a lot of curiosity. Should you be shopping in the produce section rather than the cleaning supply aisle? Lemons are often embraced as cleaning agents because of their acidity. Citric acid, in particular, can loosen stains and has long been recommended for pots and pans. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Health found that natural solutions like lemon and vinegar aren't nearly as effective on laminate tile as commercial cleaners. In fact, of the natural cleaners, vinegar was found to be the most effective. So, should you ever use lemons? They can be effective in some cases — like tackling limescale or buildup from hard water found on faucets, showers and dishwashers. Lemon and vinegar can dissolve the limescale in a way a lot of commercial cleaners can’t. However, lemons aren’t going to work on something the size of a dishwasher. Using commercial dishwasher cleaners and changing the filter regularly are the best ways to keep the appliance clean. It’s important to remember that while lemons are great for some cleaning, they do not kill germs.
