Why Use Baking Soda to Clean Your Oven
Baking soda is an effective and inexpensive way to clean your oven and remove baked-on grease and food residue. Here are some key reasons why baking soda is a great oven cleaner:
- Baking soda is abrasive enough to break down tough dirt and grease without scratching surfaces like oven racks and the oven interior. The small granules provide just the right amount of scrubbing power.
- When baking soda mixes with water, it forms a paste that clings to vertical surfaces like oven walls. This allows the paste to work on stuck-on grime and grease.
- Baking soda is alkaline, which enables it to dissolve grease and neutralize odors. This cuts through grease and eliminates unpleasant burnt food smells.
- It’s far less abrasive and toxic than commercial oven cleaners, making it a great non-toxic option. You don’t have to worry about harsh fumes or chemicals.
- Baking soda is very inexpensive and found in most people’s pantries already. There’s no need to buy expensive cleaners.
With a box of baking soda and a little elbow grease, you can make your oven look like new again. The steps below show you exactly how to use it for maximum cleaning power.
How to Clean the Oven Interior with Baking Soda
Cleaning the inside of the oven is one of the toughest jobs when it comes to oven cleaning. Here’s a simple process for tackling baked-on spills and grease using baking soda:
Step 1: Remove Oven Racks and Accessories
Before doing any cleaning, remove all racks, pans, aluminum foil or anything else from the oven. These can be cleaned separately later. You want as much room as possible to work on the oven walls and door.
Step 2: Mix Baking Soda and Water to Form a Paste
In a bowl or bucket, mix together:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons liquid dish soap
- 2 cups hot water
The dish soap helps the baking soda stick to vertical surfaces better. Stir until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
Step 3: Spread the Paste on Oven Surfaces
Wearing gloves, take the paste and liberally spread and coat all surfaces of the oven – top, sides, back, door. Try to cover all the baked-on grime and splatters. Focus on especially dirty areas.
Step 4: Let It Sit for Several Hours
Once everything is sufficiently coated, close the oven door and let the paste sit for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This gives the baking soda time to fully break down the grease and dirt.
Step 5: Wipe Away the Grime
After several hours, the oven should have lots of softened food grime and dirt ready to be cleaned. Wearing gloves, take a damp cloth and wipe the surfaces of the oven to remove all the grease and dirt. For stubborn spots, apply more paste and let sit before wiping again.
Step 6: Rinse Thoroughly
When all baked-on food is removed and the oven looks clean, wipe down all surfaces with a clean wet cloth to remove any baking soda residue. Rinse thoroughly. Wipe the oven dry with a towel.
Cleaning Oven Racks and Accessories
The oven racks and any pans or accessories can be cleaned with baking soda using a similar process:
- In a plastic bag or bucket, mix 1⁄4 cup baking soda with 1⁄2 cup hot water to form a liquid solution.
- Place oven racks or accessories in the solution and let them soak for at least 2 hours. For really dirty racks, soak overnight.
- After soaking, scrub with a sponge or brush and rinse thoroughly.
This will effortlessly clean oven racks and accessories like new! The baking soda solution breaks down all grease and food residue for easy removal.
Why Baking Soda Works So Well
There are a few key reasons why baking soda is the perfect solution for cleaning ovens:
- It’s a mild abrasive, so it scrubs off dirt without damaging oven surfaces.
- When baking soda interacts with water and grease, a chemical reaction helps break down grime.
- It neutralizes odors like no other cleaner.
- Baking soda is non-toxic and safe for you and your oven.
With something so simple, inexpensive and effective, there’s no need to use harsh chemical cleaners in your oven again!
Tips for Preventing Oven Soil Buildup
While baking soda can tackle even the most stubborn oven grime, prevention is always best:
- Use aluminum foil to line the bottom of the oven and catch drips when baking dishes prone to boiling over liquid.
- Clean up spills right away so they don’t get baked on.
- Wipe down oven walls after use to keep grease from accumulating.
- Place a baking sheet under pies or other items that may bubble over.
Implementing these tips will help keep your oven cleaner longer!
More Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda isn’t just for ovens – its cleaning power works all over:
- Make a paste to scrub tile, bathtubs, sinks, and more.
- Sprinkle on greasy garage floors before hosing down.
- Mix with dish soap for an all-purpose sink scrubber.
- Remove coffee and tea stains from cups.
- Clean the fridge and freezer by leaving an open box inside for odor absorption.
- Remove pesky stains on clothes by soaking prior to washing.
Baking soda is hands down one of the best natural cleaners with dozens of uses. Keep plenty on hand for all your cleaning needs!
