Toxic-Free Oven Cleaning Hacks: Natural, Easy, and Effective

Keeping your oven clean is essential, but it doesn’t mean you have to arm yourself with harsh chemicals or pricey cleaning products. Everyday household items like baking soda, vinegar and lemons can be your best allies in battling baked-on grease and stubborn grime. These environmentally friendly tips offer easy, effective and safe options for turning your grimy oven sparkling clean.

Wall oven with the door open.Photo byPhoto credit: Shutterstock.

Vacuum Crumbs First

Begin by removing all racks and using a vacuum’s hose attachment to suck up crumbs and loose bits from the oven’s interior. This prevents you from creating a bigger mess when you start using wet cleaning methods.

Use Baking Soda and Vinegar

Mix half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to create a paste. Spread this all over the interior surfaces of your oven, avoiding the heating elements. After letting it sit overnight, spray vinegar over areas with baking soda, which will foam. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Use Salt To Soak Up Leaks

While cooking, if you notice a spill or leak, sprinkle salt over the spill to soak it up. Once the oven is cool, you’ll find the salt has absorbed the spill, making it easier to scrape away.

Steam Helps Loosen Tough Grime

Place a pot of boiling water on the bottom rack of the oven and close the door. Allow it to steam for 20-30 minutes. The steam will help soften grime and grease, making it easier to wipe clean.

Interior of a dirty oven.Photo byPhoto credit: Shutterstock.

A Cut Lemon Is A Great Surface Scrubber

Cut a lemon in half and use the cut side to scrub the interior surfaces of your oven. The natural acidity helps to break down grease and grime. For extra tough spots, sprinkle some salt or baking soda on the lemon first.

Old Toothbrushes Work Wonders For Nooks

Dip an old toothbrush in a mixture of baking soda and water or soapy water to reach into the nooks and crannies of your oven, including the corners and edges around the door.

Soak Oven Racks In The Bathtub

Remove the oven racks and soak them in hot water mixed with dish soap and a half cup of baking soda in your bathtub for at least two hours or overnight. This loosens all the grime, making it easier to scrub clean and makes the process much easier than trying to manage in your kitchen sink.

Dishwasher Tablets Can Help With Door Cleaning

Wet a dishwasher tablet and use it to scrub the glass portion of your oven door. It’s surprisingly effective at cutting through the grease. Make sure to wear gloves, as the detergent can be harsh on bare skin.

Cleaning oven racks.Photo byPhoto credit: Shutterstock.

Dish Soap and Vinegar Make a Great Non-Toxic Spray

Mix dish soap with vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this solution to spray down the interior surfaces of your oven. The soap cuts through grease, while the vinegar sanitizes and removes odors. Wipe clean with a soft sponge.

If Your Oven Has a Self-Cleaning Cycle, Use It!

Utilize your oven’s self-cleaning function to save energy and reduce chemical use. Remove all racks and pans, and follow your manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as this function can get extremely hot but is very effective at incinerating grime.

Baking Soda and Dish Soap Can Make a Non-Toxic Paste

Create a cleaning paste by mixing three parts baking soda to one part dish soap. Apply this paste liberally inside the oven and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Scrub, then wipe clean with a damp cloth for a sparkling interior that will look brand new.

This article first appeared on Running to the Kitchen.