Does Lemon Juice Kill Germs?

The juice squeezed from the fruit of a lemon tree is a tart, acidic liquid used in cooking, beverages, and cleaning. While lemon juice is often touted as anti-bacterial, it doesn't actually kill germs. In general, when lemon juice is used in combination with other products, like baking soda or salt, it is the scrubbing action that dislodges grime and kills the germs. There are other more effective ways to kill germs in your home, though, so save the lemon juice for the kitchen.

While lemon juice isn't effective in killing germs, it has many positive aspects. In the kitchen, lemon juice is a flavorful addition to desserts, pies, and beverages. One ounce of lemon juice stirred into your glass of water provides 20 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C and 1 percent of your potassium needs and adds only 6.7 calories to your daily eating plan.

In addition, adding lemon juice to tap water before boiling helps detoxify the water. When chlorine is used to disinfect tap water, it affects other elements in the water, such as bromide and iodide, resulting in disinfection byproducts. Adding lemon juice to the water before boiling reduces these potentially toxic byproducts.

Killing bacteria and viruses requires scrubbing and sanitizing. Use soap and water and scrub with a scrubby cleaning pad, rag, or sponge to remove grime and kill germs in the home. Commercially prepared disinfecting wipes are effective too.

To sanitize a variety of surfaces, combine equal parts water and 70 percent rubbing alcohol or pour undiluted rubbing alcohol over paper towels or a rag. Use this solution to wipe down counters, doorknobs, faucets, and other household surfaces. You can also use the water and rubbing alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth wrung almost dry to wipe keyboards, TV remotes, tablets, and cell phones followed by a dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Always use cloth, not paper towels, when wiping down electronics.

Chlorine bleach, while not recommended for use on metal surfaces, is also effective against germs. Mix 5 tablespoons of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Use it as a spray or pour it on a rag to wipe counters, toilets, bathtubs, light switch covers, and other nonmetallic surfaces and then allow them to air dry. Avoid spilling bleach solution on soft surfaces because the bleach will damage natural and synthetic fabrics and carpets, leaving white spots.

When combined with baking soda and/or salt, lemon juice makes an adequate cleaner for many surfaces. It is the juice's acidic nature plus the abrasive grains that make it a pleasantly scented cleaner to remove dirt and grime. Lemon juice also acts as a stain remover for hard surfaces and clothing. Leave half a lemon with the cut side down or a lemon juice and baking soda mixture on the stained area for several hours or overnight. Then, scrub and rinse well before allowing the area to air dry.

Use a solution of 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of mineral or vegetable oil and 1/4 cup of melted beeswax to make a nourishing furniture polish. Rub the polish over the wood to clean and replenish it and then buff with a clean, dry cloth to remove excess oils and make the wood glow.

Lemon juice is helpful when rinsing fruits and vegetables in the kitchen. While the lemon juice doesn't kill germs, it works as a surfactant, making the rinse water more effective in washing off dirt and other contaminants. In addition, soaking chopped apples, bananas, and other fruits for three to five minutes in a solution of 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 quart of water helps slow enzymatic browning on the cut surfaces, keeping your cut fruits looking fresh and tasty.