A slice of lemon, a little hot water and steam work magic on one of the most overlooked appliances in household cleaning. The extractor hood is an appliance that, although it may not seem like it, accumulates more grease and dirt than almost any other corner of the kitchen. Day after day, it absorbs the vapours from frying, sautéing and cooking, leaving behind a sticky residue that, over time, becomes encrusted and very difficult to remove. But what if we told you that you could make it shine with an ingredient you probably already have at home?
Eli, known on social media as @huele.a.limpio and creator of cleaning content with almost half a million followers, has shared a trick that is as effective as it is simple and has won over thousands of users: clean your extractor hood with a lemon. Believe it or not, this fruit is not only a natural air freshener, but also a very powerful degreaser.
The star lemon trick you should follow to remove dirt from your kitchen
The technique is very simple. All you need is water, a few slices of lemon and a pot. Place the water with the lemon to boil just below the extractor hood (turned on so that it releases steam in the dirtiest area). In a matter of minutes, the steam infused with the citric acid from the lemon will soften the baked-on grease, making it easy to wipe away with a damp cloth.
This method has a double advantage: it’s natural and doesn’t require harsh chemicals, making it perfect for homes with children, pets or people who are sensitive to certain detergents.
Once you’ve removed the filters from the hood, it’s time for the next step. Use the lemon water you’ve already boiled and mix it with a few drops of washing-up liquid. Immerse the filters in this mixture and, using a non-scratch scouring pad, rub gently. The accumulated grease will start to come off almost instantly. As Eli shows in her videos, the water ends up completely cloudy, which is a good indication of all the dirt that has been removed.
When you’re done, simply rinse the filters and leave them to air dry. The result: a clean hood, with no grease or odours, and shiny stainless steel.
With lemon, take advantage of the opportunity to leave your tiles spotless: While you’re at it, you can use the same trick on the tiles just above the hob, one of the areas most prone to grease build-up due to its proximity to the cooker. Simply dampen a cloth with hot water and lemon and wipe the surface. You’ll see how those grease stains that have been there for weeks without you noticing disappear. The before and after is amazing: surfaces with a renewed shine, without harsh chemicals or expensive products.
Other uses for lemon to leave your kitchen looking like new
Eli also shares other lemon tricks that you can use in different areas of the kitchen. For example:
- For the microwave: place a bowl with water, vinegar and a slice of lemon inside, heat it for a few minutes and let the steam work its magic. Then wipe the inside with a cloth. Not only does it remove food residue, but it also leaves a surprising shine.
- For the sink: cut a lemon in half, add a little bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Use this “citrus sponge” to scrub the sink in circles. The result is a disinfected, shiny and odour-free surface.
- For the drain: before going to bed, place a slice of lemon in the sink drain. Overnight, it will neutralise odours and leave a fresh scent that you’ll notice the next day.
Given what we’ve seen and what Eli explains, lemons aren’t just for tea or recipes. Their power as a household cleaner has been backed by experts for years and they are one of the most versatile, sustainable and affordable options for keeping your kitchen spotless. Far from having to use chemicals, these tricks with home remedies have been revived and have gone viral due to their effectiveness and simplicity. So next time you see your greasy extractor hood and think you need to spend money, remember this trick: a pan, water, lemon… and the power of steam.
