Suzanne, sounds like mealybug to me. Why do you think hosing off would make it worse?
I think you should hose then go over the areas w/cotton swab or ball and rubbing alcohol. You may have to do this 2-3 times before but ridding bugs.
If it's sticky and there are white cottony patches it's a bug..I'm thinking mealy..I dont' know any other bug that secrets white cottony patches like mealy does.

Also, isolate your plant from others..it's highly contageous. In fact, check any plants that were nearby in case..it doesn't hurt to inspect.

GardensAlive sells some great oragnic insecticides that rid all types of pests..check them out.. www.gardensalive.com Toni

Thanks for the tips Toni. I just thought that the water would spread it all over the plant. Do I wait until the plant is dry to rub the leaves with alcohol? Will this work for the other sticky stuff on the leaves?

Sorry to ask so many questions, but this is the second time I grow a citrus, the first plant, a baby one ,was lost to scales and maybe underwatering, I think. I don't want to lose this one.

Suzanne, does your plants have scale, too? Can you ID scale?
Where will you shower your plant? In the sink or shower or hose? If you tilt the pot while hosing, bugs should fall off instead of inside soil. It sounds more difficult than actually doing it, but after a while you'll get the hang of it.
Yes, hosing will wash off all sticky stuff and bugs.

You don't have to apologize for asking questions, Suzanne..that's why we're here.

Do you think you have a problem w/under or overwatering? Water soil when top 3" feel dry and look crumbly..anohter way to test is by lifting the plant..if it's light weight then most likely it's dry, if heavy then your citrus doesn't need water..The best time to weigh is just before watering..give a thorough drink then lift pot again..You can feel the difference in weight.

Wet soil and dry air attract insects. It's a good idea hosing small plants in the sink once a wk. (it's actually fun after a while) LOL. Don't think of it as work, think about a healthy, bug-free plant.
Daily misting also helps moisten the air, too. But detest humiidty.

So, hose plant down, let dry..then swab (alcohol) over area w/white patches. Try swabbing all you can see..Look everywhere..bugs like hiding places like under leaves, between stems. If you have any other questions feel free to ask..Toni

Thanks Toni. Yes I can ID scale for having fought it with the other lemon tree. I am certain this one hasn't got it. I usually shower my other plants in the sink, but I think I'll do the lemon in the shower. What I do with the other plants, like the chillis, hibiscus and other tropical plants, is put the pot in a plastic bag and tie the ends around the main stem just above the pot. This prevents the soil from falling out when I tilt the pot over the sink. The lemon however is rather heavy, but I think this method would work in the shower as well.

I actually rinse my plants for aphids, but since these didn't appear on the lemon, I didn't do it. Now I know that it is beneficial for it as well. Thanks so much toni.

Suzanne, that's a great idea..Thank you. I never thought about using a plastic bag so dirt wouldn't get wet or spill. I'm going to try it next time plants need a shower. Toni