There’s no doubt about it, cleaning the oven is one of the most daunting kitchen tasks. Many people almost take a nuclear approach to clean their oven, with a bucket full of toxic cleaning chemicals. These intensive chemicals can cause serious damage to your skin, eyes and respiratory system.

The good news is, you don’t have to settle for these toxic chemicals to clean your oven. With just one lemon, you’ll get your oven all spick and span in no time!

Having lemons is great to have as a staple in your kitchen. Not only do they add extra flavouring to your dish, they’re an incredible natural cleaning product too. A lemon’s citric acid is both antibacterial and antiseptic, the fruit oils in the rind also give that added shine to your appliances, making them one of nature’s most amazing cleaning products.

Don’t have time for grime? Here are the top recommended cleaning methods to deep clean your oven like a professional:

Steam cleaning with a lemon

If you’re looking to get rid of some tough grease and dirt on the inside of your oven, try a little steam cleaning.

1. Fill an oven-proof bowl with water.
2. Take one or two lemons (limes would also work), cut them in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl.
3. Place the bowl in the oven.
4. Close the door of your oven, and turn your oven on.
5. Keep an eye on the water, and as soon as you see it start to boil, turn the oven off allowing it to cool down with the door closed, while the steam circulates.

This great little trick will help with dislodging some of the grime and grease, giving you a head start to a quick and easier oven clean.

De-greasing stove tops and oven glass with a lemon

Lemon is a natural degreasing agent, and if your stovetop could do with a spruce up:

1. Simply cut a lemon in half, and rub it over the top of your stovetop.
2. Wiping it down afterward with a warm, damp cloth.
3. Do the same to your oven glass door.

Lemon is a great way to bring back the shine to your glass and metal, with the added benefit of a fresh clean smell to boot.

DIY Lemon Oven Cleaner

Another natural home-cleaner for use on oven cleaning is a natural oven cleaner made of 1 cup of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of corn starch, and 1 teaspoon of your regular dishwashing liquid soap.

1. Stir together the lemon juice and the corn starch and heat the mixture until it starts to thicken.
2. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, stir in your washing up liquid.
3. To clean your oven with this lemony mixture, simply use as you would any other type of cleaner; applying it to some of the more stubborn dirt areas and letting it sit for 10 – 15 minutes before cleaning it off again.