Natural Oven Cleaning Solutions: No more Harsh Chemicals

Introduction

Cleaning the oven can be one of the most dreaded household chores. Baked-on grease and burnt food remnants coat the interior, leaving behind a mess that seems impossible to conquer without the use of harsh chemical cleaners. However, I have discovered there are several effective natural oven cleaning solutions that get the oven spotless without exposing myself or my family to dangerous fumes. As someone who cares about using non-toxic products in my home, I was thrilled to find these simple, natural ways to clean the oven thoroughly. In this article, I will share the best natural oven cleaning solutions I have found that truly work to cut through all that grime quickly and safely.

Why Choose Natural Oven Cleaners?

Before I get into the specific methods, let me explain why natural oven cleaning solutions are preferable over chemical oven cleaners. Here are some of the main reasons I avoid harsh oven cleaners:

• Toxic fumes – The powerful chemical odor from oven cleaners can cause headaches, dizziness, and breathing problems if inhaled. I worry about the health effects of breathing in the fumes.

• Skin irritation – Chemical oven cleaners often contain lye, which can cause chemical burns if it comes into contact with skin. Natural cleaners are much gentler on hands.

• Harmful if swallowed – Any cleaner with a child safety cap should be avoided around kids. Natural cleaners pose much less risk of poisoning.

• Damage to surfaces – The corrosive ingredients in some cleaners can damage oven surfaces over time. Natural cleaners get great results without this risk.

• Better for the environment – Harsh chemicals washed down the drain can pollute groundwater. Natural cleaners contain safe, biodegradable ingredients.

So for health, safety, and environmental reasons, I much prefer to rely on natural solutions to get my oven meticulously clean.

Baking Soda

One of the best natural oven cleaners is a simple box of baking soda. Here is how baking soda works to cut through burned on grease:

• Abrasive – The granules of baking soda are just abrasive enough to help scrub off stuck-on food.

• Deodorizing – Baking soda absorbs unpleasant odors, leaving a clean scent behind after cleaning.

• Alkaline – When baking soda mixes with water, it forms an alkaline solution that dissolves some deposits.

To use baking soda on the oven:

• Remove oven racks and heat to 200°F to loosen dirt. Turn off.

• Spread a layer of baking soda paste on oven surfaces. Allow to sit for at least 15 minutes.

• Scrub with a sponge or brush and rinse thoroughly.

For stubborn areas, allow the baking soda paste to sit for several hours or even overnight before scrubbing. The baking soda works to naturally scour away grease and charred food bits without harsh chemicals.

White Vinegar

Another inexpensive item already in my pantry is white vinegar. Here’s how it works to clean the oven:

• Acidic – Vinegar’s acidity helps dissolve grease and food splatters on contact.

• Cuts through alkalinity – The acid also removes alkaline oven residues like lime and rust buildup.

• Deodorizing – Vinegar’s strong scent removes odors instead of just masking them.

To use vinegar on an oven:

• Warm oven slightly then turn off.

• Apply undiluted vinegar to a cloth and wipe down oven surfaces.

• Use vinegar full-strength for heavy splatter areas or diluted for routine cleaning.

• Rinse surfaces thoroughly after scrubbing.

The acid in vinegar cuts right through baked-on grime. For really stubborn deposits, allow vinegar to soak for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing.

Lemon Juice

Like vinegar, the citric acid in lemon juice cuts through grease and also leaves a streak-free shine.

• Acidic – Lemons have a high citric acid content that dissolves grime.

• Deodorizing – The fresh lemon scent eliminates odors.

• Streak-free shine – Lemon juice leaves behind a nice sheen without residue.

To use lemon juice on an oven:

• Squeeze fresh lemon juice onto all oven surfaces.

• Let sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping clean with a cloth.

• For tough stains, sprinkle baking soda over lemon juice and scrub.

• Rinse well and dry with a clean cloth.

I like using lemon juice because it cleans effectively while leaving behind a refreshing, lemon-fresh scent.

Hydrogen Peroxide

With its extra oxygen molecule, hydrogen peroxide is a mild disinfecting cleaner that also lifts stains.

• Oxidizing – The extra oxygen helps lift stains from oven surfaces.

• Disinfecting – Hydrogen peroxide kills germs and bacteria as it cleans.

• Deodorizing – It destroys odors rather than temporarily masking them.

Follow these steps to use hydrogen peroxide on an oven:

• Spray 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto cold oven surfaces.

• Let bubble for 5-10 minutes before wiping away grime with a cloth.

• Rinse thoroughly.

Hydrogen peroxide is a great way to sanitize the oven while lifting away set-in grease and food spills.

Essential Oils

Adding essential oils to any of the above cleaners boosts their grime-fighting power with extra grease-cutting ability. Some best options:

• Lemon oil – Cuts through grease, disinfects

• Oregano oil – Antibacterial properties

• Tea tree oil – Removes burned-on food

To use essential oils for oven cleaning:

• Choose any base cleaner like baking soda or vinegar.

• Add 5-10 drops of chosen essential oil(s).

• Apply to oven and let sit before scrubbing and rinsing.

The antimicrobial properties of essential oils help destroy germs for a deeper clean.

Steam Cleaning

For a truly chemical-free oven cleaning, you can use plain water heated to steam to loosen stuck-on grime before scrubbing.

• Boil a pot of water on the stovetop.

• Place boiled water in a heat-safe pan or kettle inside the oven.

• Close oven door and allow steam to soften deposits for 20-30 minutes.

• Remove water and wipe down with cloth.

The hot steam naturally softens caked-on grease and food splatters, making scrubbing easier.

Conclusion

While chemical oven cleaners may seem like the only solution for tackling a filthy oven, there are many effective and non-toxic natural alternatives. Baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, and steam cleaning can all be used to cut through grease, eliminate odors, disinfect, and deodorize an oven without using harsh chemicals. I’m able to get my oven sparkling clean using these simple, natural ingredients already in my pantry. Give these safe, eco-friendly methods a try for a cleaner oven without exposure to dangerous fumes and toxins.