In many Italian households lemons are a common item. Some people place a half‑cut lemon in a sock and put it in the washing machine. After the wash cycle, clothes acquire a strong citrus scent that can last for a long time. Others make their own laundry balm from citric acid, water and essential oil. Washing‑machine manufacturers warn that this practice can affect the appliance. For further details on other uses of lemons and the manufacturers’ statements, see Mediafax Italia.