I've started putting lemons in my dishwasher – here's why I'll never load dirty dishes without them again

Lemons are the answer to all your cleaning woes – a bold statement, I know. But after adding lemon halves to my dishwasher for the past month, it’s safe to say I’ll never load a wash without this kitchen staple again.

From a nicer-smelling load to more sparkly dishes, placing the citrus sensation in my dishwasher has taken my cleaning game to new heights. After speaking to experts, it’s clear to see why: the natural and effective cleaning agent contains citric acid, which is known and loved for its grime-busting and shine-adding abilities.

Of course, cleaning with lemon juice is nothing new. The juice has the cleaning power to refresh your refrigerator, banish bad smells from bins and remove rust. And now, de-funking your dishwasher can be added to the list.

How I use lemon halves in my dishwasher

We have the internet to thank (and perhaps unthank) for many of the best and worst decluttering and cleaning tips doing the rounds on social media. But the ‘lemon in a dishwasher hack’ remains firmly on the list of cleaning tips that work.

So what is it, I hear you ask? Well, like many of the best cleaning tricks, the lemon in a dishwasher hack is easy, simple and, costing the price of a lemon (or two), affordable.

What you'll need

• A pack of lemons: As their name suggests, these Wonderfully Seedless Lemons from Walmart are naturally seed-free so you won't have to de-pip them before you pop them in your dishwasher.
• A sharp knife: This Farberware Edgekeeper 3.5-Inch Paring Knife, available on Amazon, is a bestseller for good reason. Ergonomically designed, the utensil comes with a self-sharpening blade cover that not only adds protection but also sharpens the blade's edges with every use.
• A chopping board: Suitable for the dishwasher, this durable 9"x13" Recycled Poly Essentials Cutting Board is made from hard wearing polypropylene, which will protect your kitchen counter from any scratches.

Using one of the items you can substitute for dishwasher tablets, the idea is that you cut a lemon in half, remove all the seeds, and place the halves in the top rack of your dishwasher so they can work their citrus magic. Not only is this safe, but as Lina DaSilva, founder of Toronto Shine Cleaning, confirms, it will help freshen up your dishwasher.

‘As long as you don’t overload the dishwasher with too many lemon halves, using lemons in your dishwasher is safe to do,' DaSilva says. 'Just one or two does the trick. They’re not going to damage your dishwasher, and they’re great for keeping things fresh.’

Why you should use lemons in your dishwasher

1. My dishwasher smells amazing

And that’s an understatement. It’s no wonder why most dishwashers harbor some sort of smell. If your dishwasher is anything like mine, it sits for hours enclosed with used utensils, dirty dishes, and small remnants of the day’s food inside.

But as is the case when it comes to cleaning a refrigerator or cleaning a microwave with the fruit, smelly dishwashers are no match for lemon juice. Come morning, noon or night, every time I open my dishwasher after popping lemons halves in it, I’m greeted with the vibrant, energizing and uplifting scent of the zesty kitchen staple.

‘Lemons help with odors,’ confirms DaSilva. ‘They leave a fresh scent, which is a nice bonus, and they can cut through grease a bit better than just soap. The acidity helps break things down.’

Learn how you can use lemon juice for home cleaning.

2. It’s added shine to my glasses

If you’ve ever wondered ‘why are my glasses going cloudy in the dishwasher?’, you’ve probably researched how to remove cloudiness from drinking glasses.

Over the years I’ve tried various dishwasher tablets, numerous dishwasher salts and a handful of dishwasher rinsing aids to help. But nothing has stood up to watermarks or cloudiness quite like this simple citrus hack.

‘Thanks to the natural oils in lemon peel, they can make glasses and cutlery look a bit shiner,’ DaSilva explains. ‘It’s not a night-and-day difference, but it helps.’

3. It’s environmentally friendly

Just like cleaning with vinegar or cleaning with baking soda, lemon juice offers a natural and eco-friendly way to spruce up your home.

But what’s nice about this dishwasher hack is, like when using lemon halves for kettle descaling, nothing goes to waste.

For example, after using lemon juice in my meals to add a citrus hit, instead of placing them in my food bin, I now add them in my dishwasher, so their use goes further.

4. It’s got rid of limescale from my dishwasher

Ever since learning how often you should clean a dishwasher and how to clean a dishwasher properly, I try to give this hardworking kitchen appliance some TLC every month. But, like most of us, life can get on top of me and this sort of task can fall further and further down my to-do list.

However, since placing lemons in my dishwasher, I’ve noticed that the fruit has stopped limescale deposits from building up.

Logan Taylor, president of The Dazzle Cleaning Company says, ‘I like to put lemons in the dishwasher because it keeps limescale at bay. Some manufacturers even recommend cleaning with citric acid from time to time as it helps reduce limescale.’

So, next time you’re using lemons, instead of throwing them in your food waste bin, pop them in your dishwasher and see what benefits you notice. Wonder what other things you can use citric acid for around the house? Discover how professional cleaners use this natural cleaner around the home.