How To Clean Your Oven with Lemon

When life gives you lemons, use them to clean your oven. Lemons are a powerful, natural cleaning ingredient thanks to their antibacterial, antiseptic and mildly bleaching properties. The citric acid helps dissolve grease and grime, while the oils in the rind add shine to metal and glass surfaces. In fact, when combined with a little salt or heat, lemons become one of the best natural ways to clean your oven between professional deep cleans.

Below, we’ll show you how to clean your oven with lemons, how to use steam to loosen baked-on food, and how to make a simple lemon oven cleaner at home.

some sliced lemons on a wooden cutting board and sea salt

Quick Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean an Oven With Lemons

If you want the fastest way to see results, here’s the simplest method for cleaning your oven with lemon:

How to Clean Your Oven Using Lemons (Steam Method)

  1. Fill an oven-safe bowl with water.
  2. Cut 1-2 lemons in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl.
  3. Place the bowl in the centre of your oven.
  4. Turn the oven on and heat until the water begins to boil.
  5. Switch the oven off, keeping the door closed so the steam circulates.
  6. Allow the oven to cool, then wipe away loosened grease with a cloth.

This method helps soften stubborn grime, making it easier to remove and it leaves your oven smelling fresh and clean.

 

Why Use Lemons to Clean an Oven?

Lemons are one of nature’s most effective cleaning tools:

  • The citric acid breaks down grease and food residue.
  • Lemon juice acts as a natural oven cleaner with mild bleaching properties.
  • The oils from the rind help bring shine to glass and metal surfaces.
  • Lemons leave a fresh, clean scent, no harsh chemical smell.

Using lemons is perfect for light, regular maintenance or refreshing your oven between professional visits.

 

Steam Clean Your Oven With Lemon (Detailed Method)

To deep-clean using steam:

  1. Fill an oven-proof bowl with water.
  2. Cut lemons into halves or quarters and squeeze the juice into the bowl.
  3. Place the lemon pieces into the water for extra oils and fragrance.
  4. Set the bowl in the oven and close the door.
  5. Turn the oven on and heat until the water boils.
  6. Once boiling, switch off the oven and leave the door closed so the lemon steam can circulate.
  7. When cool, wipe down the interior using a warm, damp cloth.

This technique helps loosen greasy residue, making it easier to wipe away. Don’t have time for grime? Get your free professional oven cleaning quote here.

 

Degrease Your Stovetop & Oven Glass With Lemon

If you’re wondering how to clean other kitchen surfaces naturally, lemons can help here too:

  • Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly across your stovetop.
  • Wipe clean with a warm, damp cloth.
  • Repeat on your oven glass door to restore shine and clarity.

This simple method helps remove grease, fingerprints and baked-on spills while leaving a fresh lemon scent.

 

DIY Natural Lemon Oven Cleaner Recipe

For a slightly stronger solution, try this homemade lemon oven cleaner mixture:

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid

Method:

  1. Combine the lemon juice and corn starch.
  2. Heat gently until the mixture thickens.
  3. Allow to cool to room temperature.
  4. Stir in the washing-up liquid.
  5. Apply the mixture to stubborn areas, leave for 10–15 minutes, then wipe clean.

This DIY cleaner is ideal when you want an alternative to harsh chemical products.

 

Keeping Your Oven Clean Naturally

Using lemons to clean your oven is an easy, low-cost way to stay on top of everyday mess. Natural, homemade alternatives can keep your oven looking fresh without scrubbing or chemical fumes.

When your oven needs a deeper professional clean, without harsh chemicals and without hassle, Ovenclean’s experts can restore your oven to like-new condition.

Get your free professional oven cleaning quote here.

 

FAQs

Does cleaning an oven with lemons work?

Yes. The citric acid helps dissolve grease, soften grime and deodorise the oven. While lemons won’t replace a full professional deep clean, they are excellent for regular maintenance.

 

Can you clean the oven with vinegar and lemon?

Yes, vinegar and lemon work well together as a natural cleaner. They cut through grease and leave a fresh scent.

 

At what temperature do you clean the oven with lemons?

Set the oven to around 120–150°C. Once the water begins to boil and steam forms, turn the oven off and let the steam work its magic.

 

What happens when you mix baking soda and lemon juice for cleaning?

The mixture foams due to a natural chemical reaction. This fizzing helps lift dirt and grime from surfaces, making it a popular method in natural cleaning.

 

Is it safe to put lemons in the oven?

Yes. Lemons are completely safe to heat in the oven and are often used in cooking. For cleaning, they help produce a natural, degreasing steam.

 

How long to leave lemons in the oven to clean?

Leave the lemons inside while the oven heats to boiling and cools, typically 20-30 minutes. This allows the steam to circulate and soften grime.

 

oven cleaning specialist in uniform next to double ovenFinding the right solution to help you keep on top of your day-to-day cleaning will keep your appliances looking and smelling fresh and clean. When the time comes for a more professional, thorough clean, without the caustic effects of harmful products, then using a professional service like Ovenclean is perfect to get things looking good as new again.

For your free, no obligation quote, get in touch with us today.

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