Discover easy, natural ways to clean your oven using baking soda, vinegar, and non-toxic solutions. Learn how to remove grime from oven racks, glass, and interior without harsh scrubbing or damaging your appliance.
Written by Sophia Bennett
Contributing Writer
Updated September 11, 2024
t Major at Appliance Repair, we understand how time-consuming and tedious cleaning your oven can be, especially when you have to deal with harsh chemicals and elbow grease. However, there’s a natural and quick way to get the job done with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Our guide will show you how to clean your oven efficiently, without using chemicals, to keep it in top shape.
No one enjoys a dirty oven, but you can tackle the grime with a few simple steps that require minimal effort and scrubbing. Here’s how you can clean your oven quickly without damaging its parts or using toxic products.
While it might seem like a good idea, using your oven’s self-cleaning mode can actually do more harm than good. This function heats the oven to extremely high temperatures, which can damage the oven’s finish, shorten its lifespan, and wear out its internal components. In some cases, it can even prevent the oven from heating evenly in the future.
Instead, here’s how to clean the oven without resorting to harsh methods:
• Baking Soda and Vinegar: This classic cleaning combo is perfect for tackling tough grime. Mix baking soda and water into a paste and spread it over the dirty areas of your oven. Follow up by spraying a vinegar and water solution over the paste, allowing the foam to lift the dirt and grease. After letting it sit for a while, wipe everything away with a damp cloth.
• Natural Store-Bought Cleaner: If you’d rather buy a product, make sure to pick a non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaner. These options can be just as effective as DIY solutions, without the chemicals.
Here’s a simple process to follow when cleaning your oven:
1. Apply your chosen cleaner: Whether you’re using baking soda, vinegar, or a store-bought product, apply it to the dirty parts of the oven. Make sure to cover any heavily stained areas thoroughly.
2. Let it sit: For light messes, let the cleaner sit for at least 15-30 minutes. For tougher, more stubborn stains, you may want to leave it on overnight.
3. Wipe it down: Once the solution has had time to work its magic, wipe down the inside of the oven with a clean cloth and water.
4. Scrub, if needed: For those extra tough spots, use a non-abrasive scrubber to help remove burnt-on food without damaging your oven’s surface.
The oven door glass often collects grease and food splatters, but it’s easy to clean with a natural solution. Simply apply the baking soda paste or spray your vinegar solution on the glass, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe away with a microfiber cloth. For the outside of the door, you can use regular glass cleaner or a stainless steel cleaner if your oven is made of stainless steel.
Oven racks can be cleaned easily in your sink. Remove the racks and let them soak in hot soapy water for about 20 minutes. After soaking, scrub them down with a sponge or brush. If you don’t want to remove the racks, you can still clean them in the oven by covering the bottom of the oven with foil to catch any drips, applying your cleaner, and scrubbing them inside the oven.
Regular maintenance like this can extend the life of your oven and ensure it runs more efficiently. Plus, it makes your kitchen a more pleasant place to cook! If you run into any issues or need professional oven repairs, Major at Appliance Repair is here to help. Our experienced technicians are ready to service any oven problem, so give us a call today!
Can I use baking soda and vinegar to clean a heavily stained oven?
Yes, baking soda and vinegar are effective natural cleaners for oven stains. Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the dirty areas, spray vinegar over the paste, and let it foam. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight for tough stains, then wipe it clean.
Is the self-cleaning function safe for my oven?
While the self-cleaning function can remove grime, it heats the oven to very high temperatures, which may damage the oven’s internal parts over time. Using natural cleaning solutions like baking soda and vinegar can be gentler on your appliance and help prolong its lifespan.
Can I clean the oven racks inside the oven?
Yes, you can clean oven racks without removing them. Cover the bottom of the oven with foil to catch any drips, spray the racks with your natural cleaning solution, and scrub them while they’re still inside the oven. Alternatively, you can soak them in hot soapy water in the sink for easier cleaning.
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