LifestyleApple peels and lemon: Secrets to a spotless, chemical-free oven

Apple peels and lemon: Secrets to a spotless, chemical-free oven

Cleaning the oven is one of those tedious kitchen tasks. To make life a bit easier, you don't always have to resort to strong, corrosive chemicals from the store. Homemade methods can be just as effective.

You'll quickly clean a dirty oven.
You'll quickly clean a dirty oven.
Images source: © Adobe Stock | africaimages.com (Olga Yastremska, Africa Images)

We often delay cleaning the oven, overlooking its importance. However, with a few simple tricks, we can significantly simplify the process, enhance the taste of our dishes, and ensure safety in the kitchen. Here are some practical ways to achieve a clean oven. One of them might surprise you: apple peels can help.

What do apple peels have in common with a clean oven?

Cleaning the oven is one of the most dreaded household chores, often losing the battle against accumulated grease and food residues. Ignoring this appliance can lead to diminished flavour in dishes and unpleasant odours. Therefore, it's helpful to know some simple and effective methods that don't require special chemical agents.

One method involves using malic acid, found in fresh apple peels. It has bactericidal, antifungal, and whitening properties. Simply spread the peels on a tray and place them in an oven preheated to about 150°C for half an hour. Then, once the oven has cooled down, wipe it with a damp cloth - the dirt should come off easily.

Not just apple peels

Another popular trick for a clean oven is using baking soda and hot water. This method not only removes stubborn dirt but is also eco-friendly and safe for your health. Just prepare a paste of baking soda and water, then spread it over the dirty surface of the oven. After a few hours, wipe the paste off to leave a clean oven.

If you want oven cleaning to be as simple and natural as possible, an excellent solution is using lemon and vinegar. Just squeeze the juice of one lemon, mix it with 60 mL of vinegar, and add a cup of warm water. Spread the solution on the walls of the oven and leave it for about half an hour, so the vinegar and lemon can dissolve the grease and burnt food residues. After this time, wipe the inside of the oven with a damp cloth. The result is a shiny and citrus-scented oven - guaranteed.