Why Use Natural Cleaners?
Using natural cleaners to clean your oven has many benefits over conventional cleaners containing harsh chemicals. Natural cleaners are often more environmentally friendly, less toxic, and safer for your health. Many conventional oven cleaners contain caustic chemicals like sodium hydroxide that can irritate eyes, skin, and respiratory systems. Natural cleaners provide a non-toxic alternative that gets the oven clean without exposing you to potentially harmful ingredients.
Some popular natural ingredients for cleaning include:
- Baking soda – A mild abrasive and deodorizer that breaks down grime.
- Vinegar – Helps cut through grease and removes odors.
- Lemon juice – Removes baked-on grease and freshens the oven.
- Essential oils like lemon, lavender, and tea tree oil – Add cleaning power and leave a fresh scent.
Effective Natural Oven Cleaners
Here are some effective DIY natural oven cleaner recipes to try:
Baking Soda and Vinegar
- Combine 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup vinegar into a paste.
- Spread paste on oven surfaces and let sit for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing.
- The acid in the vinegar reacts with the baking soda to help break up burned on food and grease.
Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
- Mix 3/4 cup baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste.
- Apply paste and let sit overnight before scrubbing and rinsing.
- The acid in the lemon juice helps cut through grime.
Essential Oil Cleaner
- Mix 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup salt, 10 drops lemon essential oil and enough water to form a paste.
- Spread on oven surfaces and allow to sit before scrubbing off.
- The essential oil adds a fresh, clean scent.
To boost cleaning power, you can also try adding salt or borax to any of these recipes. Test on a small area first to make sure these natural cleaners won’t damage your oven’s finish.
Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Here are some useful tips for getting your oven spotless with natural cleaners:
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from irritation when scrubbing.
- Use a plastic spatula or scraper to help loosen stuck-on grime.
- For tough stains, allow natural cleaner paste to sit overnight before scrubbing.
- Use a damp microfiber cloth and elbow grease to remove paste and grime after letting it sit.
- For glass oven doors, clean with a vinegar/water solution or baking soda paste.
- Steam clean the oven by placing a bowl of water or vinegar inside and heating on low for 30 minutes.
- Use a dryer sheet to wipe down cooled oven surfaces – it helps remove grime and grease easily.
- Freshen the oven by placing a bowl of lemon slices or vinegar inside and heating at 300°F for 30 minutes.
With the right natural cleaners and scrubbing effort, you can safely remove burned-on food, grease, and stains without using harsh chemicals. Give these DIY options a try for an eco-friendly clean.
