Did you know that lemons work as a natural disinfectant, a stain remover, a polish for metals, and so much more? Try these simple cleaning tips using the power of citrus!

• Scrub your dirty dishes or plastic containers with a recently juiced lemon and a little bit of coarse salt to remove any stains or smells. This also works for wooden cutting boards.
• Rub some lemon juice on a sponge and leave it in your refrigerator for several hours to remove any odors.
• Give your microwave a good cleaning by mixing three tablespoons of lemon juice and one and a half cups of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl into your microwave and put it on high for five to ten minutes. Then just wipe away any remaining spots with a dishrag.
• Make your own eco-friendly household cleaner with citrus peels and white vinegar. Simply place citrus peels in a glass mason jar, then pour enough vinegar over top to cover the peels. Let the mixture infuse for two weeks, then strain out the vinegar into a spray bottle!

Cleaning With Lemon Juice [DIY Network]
10 Clever Ways to Clean With a Lemon [The Kitchn]
34 Useful Reasons to Load Up On Lemons [Reader’s Digest]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Growing a Green Family

If you haven’t updated your ‘do in a long time, make an appointment at cutLoose in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood. Here, expert stylists get to know your hair and your preferences before picking up the scissors. They specialize in innovative styles and have the training and technique to do your ‘do right. You’ll walk out with a style that works for your hair type, face shape, and lifestyle, rather than an unflattering or sad attempt you might get elsewhere.

Despite the salon's excellent reputation and loyal client base, it’s easy to get a quick appointment here. Prices are steep, but you get what you pay for; most clients return time and again for years.

cutLoose
1711 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 520-7401
www.cutloosetx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cutloose-houston

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Maria Grazia Montagnari

Merida Mexican Restaurant brings something a bit different to the table when it comes to Mexican fare, offering traditional Mayan cuisine from across the Yucatan Peninsula. Whether you’re looking for a place for a sit-down meal, convenient takeout, or even delivery to anywhere in the area, this casual and authentic eatery offers all three.

The menu consists of breakfast, lunch, and dinner made with recipes perfected over the restaurant’s 40-year history, and the prices are very reasonable for their generous portions. Merida specializes in dishes like Cochinita Pibil and handmade Empanadas Yucatecas, as well as daily specials that change from day to day.

With a colorful, welcoming interior furnished with comfortable tables and a convenient online ordering form that makes it easy to place an order for pick-up, Merida is one of the best spots in town for a tasty Mexican meal.

Merida Mexican Restaurant
2509 Navigation Boulevard
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 227-0260
meridarestauranttx.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Ronald (Ron) Douglas Frazier