How To Use Lemon Oil To Clean Your Kitchen

Eco-friendly and homemade cleaning products are all the rage these days with the rise of the sustainability and all-natural movement. The great news is that most homemade, food-based cleaning products are super simple to make and boast all the effectiveness of their store-bought counterparts. One product that has made its way into the public eye is lemon oil, an essential oil made from the skins of lemons. Not only does this oil smell delicious and fresh, but according to Healthline, it also has a range of uses. In addition to cleaning, you can also use it to treat morning sickness, reduce acne, and clean wounds, which is all the more reason for you to use essential oil in your home!

While lemon oil can be diluted in water and used as a cleaning agent in any room of your house, it is a popular product for cleaning the kitchen. You will typically only need to add a few drops to a spray bottle of water to benefit from its incredible cleansing properties, although the amount you need will depend on the item or surface you are cleaning, as per Jane at Home. No matter what you clean, a small vial of lemon oil will last you far longer than most store-bought cleaning products. Keep scrolling to learn how to use lemon oil in your kitchen.

The oven is one area of the kitchen that lemon oil can handle with no problem. The dark grease stains and caked-on food are no match for the cleansing power of this homemade cleaning product. Why? This essential oil has natural degreasing properties that work in conjunction with other natural products to leave your oven looking brand new, as per NBC News. 

For stubborn grease stains, add a few drops of lemon essential oil to a spray bottle filled with 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar. The acidic nature of the vinegar will work with the degreasing properties of the oil to dissolve the grease and grime in your oven, allowing you to wipe it away easily. This mixture also prevents you from having to scrub your oven. Simply spray the product on the stains and use a clean rag to remove the dissolved grease. In extreme cases, spreading a bit of baking soda over the stains first will further activate the cleansing power of the vinegar and lemon oil solution.

We're all aware of the disasters that can take place within a microwave, especially without the protection of a microwave food cover. However, with a homemade lemon oil cleaning product, microwave nightmares will become a thing of the past. The best part is that this cleaning method requires little elbow grease on your part. 

All you need to do is mix 1.5 cups of water and about 15 drops of lemon oil into a bowl and then place it in the center of your microwave, according to NBC News. Depending on the state of your microwave, set it to run from anywhere between five to 10 minutes to ensure the mixture effectively steams the entire interior of the appliance. When the time is up, grab a dry rag or sponge and clean away the food and grime left on the walls and ceiling of the microwave. You'll notice immediately that the lemon oil and water solution works to loosen the stuck-on bits of food in the microwave, making it easy to wipe clean. As an added bonus, you'll benefit from the scent of lemon likely permeating your entire kitchen from the steam.

In addition to tackling grease and spilled food, a few drops of lemon oil diluted in a spray bottle of water is all you need to leave every surface of your kitchen spotless. Jane at Home recommends a ratio of 5 to 6 drops of essential oil to every 1 ounce of water to get the most cleaning power out of the solution. Once you've created the mixture, spritz the countertops, table, sink, stove, and any other surface of your kitchen with the spray bottle. You can let the solution sit for a few minutes to soften caked-on food and spills before taking a dry rag to wipe the area clean. 

The cleaning mixture is safe to use on all appliances and gadgets in your kitchen, including on wood. This means you can feel free to wipe down any wooden cutting boards or table tops with lemon oil as well. Don't forget to spritz the interior of your trash can and wipe away the remnants to leave the fresh lemon scent in one of the smelliest areas of your kitchen. For a truly deep clean, give the interior of your refrigerator and dishwasher a rundown as well before hanging up your rubber gloves for the day.