The world of social media is no stranger to life hacks and cleaning tips, but one that has recently gained popularity on TikTok has left many wondering if it really works. The hack in question claims to clean an oven using just a lemon, some water, and an oven-proof dish, all for the low cost of 30p. As someone who loves to cook but hates the aftermath of cleaning the oven, I decided to put this hack to the test.
To start, I gathered the necessary materials: a lemon, a cup of water, and an oven-proof dish. I sliced the lemon and placed it in the dish, then added the water. The instructions from the TikTok video I followed said to heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius, then place the dish inside for 30 minutes to an hour. The idea behind this hack is that the steam from the water and the acidity from the lemon would loosen and break down any tough grime and food residue in the oven.
I set my oven to 200 degrees Celsius, placed the dish with the lemon and water inside, and let it work its magic for 45 minutes. The waiting game was not easy, as the aroma of lemon filled my kitchen, making my stomach growl with hunger. After the time had passed, I carefully removed the dish from the oven, taking note that the dish was extremely hot. I then let the oven cool down slightly before inspecting the results.
The first thing I noticed was that the oven did indeed smell fresher, with a hint of lemon that was not overpowering. However, the real question was whether the grime and food residue had been loosened and removed. Upon closer inspection, I found that there was a noticeable difference. The parts of the oven that were previously caked with tough grime were now significantly cleaner, with some areas looking almost new.
But the hack was not without its limitations. Some of the tougher grime required a bit of elbow grease to remove completely. I ended up using a soft sponge and some gentle soap to wipe away the remaining residue. Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised by how effective the hack was, considering the minimal effort and cost involved.
In conclusion, the 30p oven cleaning TikTok hack does work, albeit with some caveats. It is an excellent method for maintaining a clean oven or tackling light to moderate grime. For tougher grime, it may be necessary to combine this hack with some traditional cleaning methods. Nonetheless, the fact that it uses a natural and non-toxic method, coupled with its low cost, makes it a worthwhile attempt for anyone looking to avoid harsh chemicals and save some money.