16:55 08-09-2025

Dishwashing Hack: Lemon Sponge Trick to Save Detergent

Generated by Dall-e

Discover a budget-friendly dishwashing hack: slip a lemon wedge into your sponge to tackle grease, use less detergent, and speed up cleanup—plus easy hygiene tips.

As the price of quality household cleaners keeps climbing, many households are hunting for solutions that work without draining the budget. The usual frustration is familiar: bargain dish soaps often feel thin, barely lather, and struggle to cut through grease or food residue on plates and pans.

There is, however, a simple workaround that thrifty home cooks already rely on—and it can both stretch your detergent and improve results. The trick is remarkably low-tech: use an ordinary lemon wedge. Instead of squeezing extra soap onto the sponge, make a small slit in the sponge and tuck a slice of lemon inside. Yes—the same lemon that tends to linger in the fridge will do.

Why it helps is straightforward. The lemon’s acidity tackles grease and leftover food, which means you can use less detergent and move through the sink more quickly. There’s a side benefit, too: citric acid helps to disinfect surfaces and leaves a fresh, clean scent.

A couple of basics keep this hack effective:

• Replace the sponge and the lemon regularly. Swapping both out on time helps prevent mold and keeps cleaning power high.
• Rinse thoroughly after each use. Give the sponge a good wash to clear away trapped grease and food particles.

Used as an add-on rather than a replacement for dish soap, the lemon-in-the-sponge method offers a budget-friendly, practical way to keep the kitchen moving. It saves on cleaner, speeds up the chore, and makes the whole process feel a little fresher.