When it comes to cleaning your kitchen, the oven can seem like an intimidating mountain of work that you don’t want to climb. The amount of time and energy you spend cleaning your oven far outweighs all of the other kitchen tasks on your list. Method options for going about oven cleaning are limited, and often more of a hassle than help. Most ovens have a self-cleaning function, which may seem convenient at first. However, burning off all the dried-on residue and grease by heating the oven to 600 degrees, will leave your home full of fumes that make it hard to stay indoors. Another standard option is to use an oven cleaner spray, but these products are often full of harmful chemicals, some even known to cause burns on contact with skin.
Luckily, there is a much more relaxed and safer way to clean your oven! You can clean your oven using natural products that may already be lying around your kitchen. You’ll need little more than a few minutes and some baking soda to get the interior of your oven sparkling like new. By using this method, you’ll turn one of your most grueling kitchen tasks into one of your easiest!
You’ll need:
- Water
- Rags (ones you don’t mind getting dirty)
- Rubber gloves
- Spray bottle
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
Step 1 – Remove Oven Racks
Remove each one of the oven racks and put them to the side. In the meantime, you can put them to soak in the sink with some warm soap and water. This will make it so you can wipe and place them back into the oven at the end.
Make sure the oven is empty (no pans or thermometers, etc.).
Step 2 – Make Cleaning Paste
Place the baking soda into a bowl and mix with enough water, so it becomes a spreadable paste. You’ll need enough paste to cover the entire interior.
Step 3 – Apply Paste to Interior
Put on your rubber gloves to protect your hands, and cover the whole interior of your oven with a layer of baking soda paste. Avoid any heating elements in your oven, and make sure to include any thick greasy spots with extra baking soda paste. As the baking soda begins to absorb the grease, the paste will turn a brown color.
Step 4 – Leave Overnight
Once your oven is completely covered, leave the paste overnight (at least 12 hours) to make sure it absorbs all of the greases.
Step 5 – Wipe with a Rag
After 12 hours, run a rag under some warm water and use to wipe off all of the baking soda paste. Any stubborn areas can be gently removed with a spatula.
Step 6 – Spray the Interior
Fill a spray bottle with some vinegar and spray the entire inside of the oven. It’s essential to do this because it will allow any leftover baking soda to foam and absorb any last spots of grease.
Step 7 – Wipe Oven Clean
Use another damp rag to wipe the interior completely clean. Replace the oven racks into the oven and let the oven-dry completely. If you want to, you can turn the oven on at a low temperature for a short time to speed the process along.
Step 8 – Clean the Oven Window
The last step to a clean oven is to clean the oven window. Use any leftover baking soda paste, or make another small batch, and spread a thin layer on the inside of the window. Leave it to soak for 30 minutes and then wipe clean. You want to make sure you have a perfect view of your clean oven!
Enjoy your squeaky clean oven, and all the extra time and energy you saved. Happy cleaning!