Is the sight of last month’s lasagna explosion or the mysterious spillage from your famous roast haunting you every time you open the oven? Don’t despair! A sparkling oven can be achieved with a little elbow grease.
Forget harsh chemicals and pungent fumes, we’ll teach you a safe method with ingredients you have in your cupboards. It’s surprisingly satisfying, and you will reclaim your oven back.
Why Bother Cleaning Your Oven
Beyond aesthetic satisfaction, your oven will be more efficient and not clogged up with grease.
- Affects Taste & Smell: Old food residue causes smoke/fumes that can affect food tastes.
- Reduces Efficiency: Gunk and food buildup can affect the ovens’ capabilities, which may result in higher bills.
- Fire hazard: Excessive grease buildup is flammable.
- Shortens Lifespan: Neglect can lead the corrosion and damage over time.
We All Have This In Our Cupboards- The Natural Duo: Baking Powder & Vinegar
This natural duo is highly effective, nontoxic, and perfect for a household with kids and pets.
What You Will Need:
- Baking Soda (lots of it): The gentle abrasive and grease-cutting winner
- White Vinegar: The acidic partner that reacts with the soda for additional cleaning and shine.
- Water, Large Bowl, Spatula, Spray Bottle, Microfiber Cloth/Sponge, Scraper, Rubber Gloves, Old Towel or Newspapers, Patience.
Now for the transformation:
- Remove racks: Take these out of the oven, and we’ll clean them separately. Soak in hot, soapy water.
- Cold Clean: We will clean the oven cold with this method.
- Vacuum/Dry Wipe Out: Remove any loose crumbs and debris.
- Protect The Floor: Lay towels or newspapers in front of the oven to protect the floor. Things might drip.
Create The Magic paste: In a bowl, mix the soda and vinegar with enough water to create a thick paste, with a consistency of toothpaste. Around about a cup of soda, give or take.
Paste Application:
- Using your spatula or a gloved hand, liberally spread the baking soda paste over the interior surfaces. Avoid the heat elements and any self-cleaning seals. Apply additional paste on heavy grease or stains from burnt food.
- Pro Tips: Don’t skimp! Cover every inch
Overnight, let the paste work its magic:
- Crucial: Close the oven door and let the paste do its work for over 12 hours.
The soda paste needs to penetrate and break down the grime.
The Vinegar Reveal:
- After the soak, open the door. It’s going to look a bit crusty, but this is ok.
- Fill your spray bottle with distilled white vinegar.
- Generously spray the vinegar over the dried paste. Get ready for the satisfying fizz! This reaction further loosens the grime and makes it easier to wipe.
Wipe & Wipe Again:
- Using your microfiber cloths or sponge, start wiping the paste away. The grime should lift off a lot easier.
- For stubborn spots:
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Gently scrub with the cloth.
- Use a plastic scraper if needed.
- Rinse your cloth/sponge frequently in water.
- Work systematically, section by section.
The Final Rinse & Shine:
- Once all the paste and grime are removed, dampen a cloth with water and wipe down the entire interior to remove any residual baking soda or vinegar.
- Dry thoroughly with a microfiber cloth.
Now for the racks:
While your interior dries, tackle those racks, soaking in hot soapy water. After soaking, scrub with an abrasive sponge or a brush. For extra grime, sprinkle baking powder and scrub. Rinse thoroughly and dry before replacing.
Door Glass:
Make the paste for the glass and smear it onto the glass, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub gently or scrape. Spray with vinegar to shine the glass with a cloth.
Maintain & Sparkle:
- Wipe any spills: Once they happen, wipe with a damp cloth, this prevents major baked-on issues later.
- Regular Light Wipes: A regular wipe down will reduce the need for deep cleans
- Deep Cleans: Schedule a deep clean for 6 to 12 months.
Too busy to do it yourself? Let our certified oven cleaning specialists take care of your deep clean with professional-grade equipment and eco-friendly solutions. Book your service today and enjoy a spotless oven without lifting a finger!
You Did It!
Cleaning your oven might be daunting, but this natural method is completely manageable. The secret is the paste application and applying enough to deal with the grime. Now you have achieved your goal, so it’s time to admire your hard work.