Citrus fruits are a great way to do eco-friendly housecleaning. However, there are different properties and benefits for using limes or lemons for your cleaning. They have different pH properties, which you can even test for yourself. Here are some features of lemons and limes that will help you know which ones to use for cleaning.
Shared properties
- Both contain citrus ingredients.
- Both are acidic.
- Both work well for descaling items from calcium and other dirt deposits.
- Both have a wonderful fragrant smell.
- Are high in pulp or fibrous material.
- Can be used to clean wood material such as kitchen utensils, floorboards and furniture.
Lemons
- Evidently larger than limes and therefore can be used to clean larger surfaces.
- Are acidic and have a pH of around 2.30.
- Low sugar content.
- Are yellow due to the carotenoids in the peel.
Limes
- Evidently smaller than lemons and can be used for smaller jobs and on small items.
- Are acidic and have a pH of around 2.40. They are slightly less acidic than lemons.
- Slightly higher sugar content.
- Sensitive to cold temperatures and will go bad fast in the fridge.
- Have a higher amount of chlorophyll, which makes them dark green in colour.
- This fruit also contains anthocyan, which changes colours with pH levels.
- Aged limes yellow as their acidity gets closer to a pH of 2.
Other notes
Fresh citrus fruit is best to use for cleaning. Aged fruit and fruit juices have lower acidity and aren’t as effective for cleaning. However, if you want a less acidic cleaner, aged limes and lemons are ideal.
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