Choose Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are two inexpensive and effective ingredients for cleaning an oven without harsh chemicals. Here are some tips for using them:
- Make a paste with baking soda and water. Spread the paste on the oven walls and let sit for at least 15 minutes before wiping away. The baking soda is a gentle abrasive that will loosen baked-on grease and food.
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture liberally on the oven walls and let sit for 15 minutes before wiping away. The vinegar will help dissolve grease and food debris.
- For tough stains, sprinkle baking soda directly on the stain and spray vinegar over the top. Let the fizzing reaction sit for 20 minutes before scrubbing.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another effective natural ingredient for cleaning ovens. Here are some tips for using it:
- Apply undiluted hydrogen peroxide directly to baked-on stains and let sit for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing away. It will foam and bubble, helping lift the stain.
- Make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and apply to stubborn stains. Let sit overnight if possible before scrubbing clean.
- Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray oven walls and let sit for 20 minutes before wiping clean.
Scrub With a Pumice Stone
A pumice stone is a natural abrasive that can scrub an oven clean without using harsh chemicals. Here’s how to use it:
- Dampen the pumice stone and rub it over stubborn baked-on stains. Apply some pressure to lift the carbonized grease.
- For an oven with a glass window, rub the dampened pumice stone over smoke stains on the inside of the glass.
- Avoid using the pumice stone on self-cleaning oven surfaces, as it may damage the finish over time.
Use Your Oven’s Heat
Here are some tips for using your oven’s own heat to help loosen stuck-on grime:
- Place a small bowl of ammonia in the cold oven overnight (make sure the oven is off). The fumes from the ammonia will help loosen burnt-on grease.
- Heat the empty oven at 200°F for 20 minutes. Turn off and let cool slightly. Food debris will flake off more easily when warm.
- For a self-cleaning oven, run the cleaning cycle according to manufacturer’s instructions. Self-cleaning uses very high heat to incinerate food debris.
Maintain Regularly
Preventing grime buildup in the first place will reduce the need for heavy-duty cleaning:
- Wipe up spills right after they happen, when food is still fresh. Baked-on food is harder to remove.
- Place a foil or parchment paper liner on the bottom oven rack to catch drips when broiling meats.
- Remove oven racks and wash regularly in the sink with dish soap and water. Grime is much easier to remove from racks than oven walls.
- Wipe the oven interior with a damp microfiber cloth after each use to prevent food residue from sticking.
By using natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide, I can get my oven sparkling clean without exposing myself to dangerous fumes from harsh chemical cleaners. Little effort applied regularly keeps my oven looking like new.
