Leaving half a lemon in the oven is a bit of an unusual tip, but it is very helpful. Citrus lemons contain natural elements that can remove any lingering scents and grease found within ovens. These ovens tend to absorb odours from any baked meals, splatters, or burned areas over time. This makes it seem as though your oven is unclean even if it is not. This is a great way to remove odours in your oven without resorting to any harsh chemical products. There are actually two ways to remove unwanted odours, depending upon your personal convenience level: warming up the Lemon along with a splash of water, or allowing it to sit overnight. Both methods target cleaning slightly differently.
Methods to keep the lemon in the oven to remove bad smell
It may not be a miracle cure, but keeping half a lemon in the oven is a totally non-toxic way to soften grime and brighten smells. Since it’s very gentle, environment-friendly, and leaves a fresh citrus scent, this remedy is perfect for regular maintenance of your oven without chemicals.
- Keeping a lemon in the oven with warm water
- Slice the lemon in half and put it inside an oven-proof bowl containing warm water.
- Half the bowl should be filled with water.
- Heat the oven to a low temperature and let it warm for 20 to 30 minutes.
- As the warm water steams inside the oven, the citrus and oil from the lemon are diffused throughout due to the steam produced.
- When the oven is warm, the interior surfaces can be wiped easily with minimal elbow grease, and the scent inside the oven is cleaner.
- Keeping half a lemon in a cold oven overnight
- Slice the lemon in half and put it inside a plate/bowl that can withstand being in the oven, and set it in the cold oven.
- If you leave it for the night, that will be approximately 8-12 hours.
- During this period, the lemon will have the ability to rid the appliances of the odour, but it won’t have the ability to burn the grease.
Ways to make the lemon cleaning hack better
Fresh lemons should always be used because dried ones lose their natural oils. Ensure loose crumbs or debris are removed before using the lemon method so odours don’t linger. If warming the lemon, avoid high temperatures; gentle heat is more effective and does not allow for burning. Replace the lemon if it dries out or if there is a sour smell. For stronger smells, repeating the process once a week helps maintain freshness.
When lemon can’t remove heavy oven grease
Lemon is great for deodorising and for light cleaning, but it’s not going to take off heavy buildups of grease or years of burnt residue. In these cases, lemon works best as a maintenance solution rather than a deep cleaner. For stubborn stains, pairing lemon steam with baking soda paste or a deeper manual clean is more effective. Once the oven is thoroughly cleaned, using lemon can help keep it fresh and reduce buildup in the future.
