Buzz
There are various methods for cleaning an oven, but many of them involve the use of chemicals. Baking soda serves as an excellent natural alternative to harmful cleaning agents. To clean your oven, you will spread a baking soda mixture around the interior, let it sit overnight, and then clean it off with white vinegar.
Steps
Spread the baking soda mixture around the oven
Remove the oven racks. You should also take out everything inside the oven, such as pizza stones or thermometers. Double-check to ensure nothing remains inside the oven before starting the cleaning process.
Scrape off accumulated grime inside the oven. Ovens can accumulate a lot of burnt food residue. Try to remove as much of this buildup as possible before applying the baking soda mixture. Use a plastic or silicone scraper to loosen the debris. You don’t need to remove everything—just focus on the easily removable grime.
Mix the baking soda and water solution. Combine ½ cup (170 g) of baking soda with 3 tablespoons (15 ml) of water in a small bowl. Stir until it forms a spreadable paste. Adjust the water amount if the mixture is too dry or not spreadable.
Spread the mixture evenly inside the oven. You can apply the paste by hand if wearing rubber gloves. Alternatively, use a spatula for application. Coat the interior walls of the oven, but avoid spreading it on the heating elements.
- It’s fine if the paste turns brown or clumps in certain areas of the oven.
Chris Willatt
Owner, Alpine Maids
Owner, Alpine Maids
Baking soda is an effective and completely natural cleaner. Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids, says: "Mix baking soda with water to create a paste and spread it across the oven’s interior. Let it sit for an hour to allow the baking soda to bond with grease. Afterward, wipe off the paste and use a pumice stone or scrubber to remove any remaining grease."
Wipe off the baking soda paste applied inside the oven
Let the applied mixture sit overnight. Baking soda works most effectively if left for 12 hours or overnight. If you can’t wait that long, allow the mixture to sit for at least 40 minutes. However, you may need to reapply the paste if the waiting time is too short.
Wipe off the baking soda. Use a damp cloth to remove the baking soda paste after the waiting period. Warm water works best for dampening the cloth. You might need to scrub firmly to completely remove the paste.
Scrape off any remaining residue. If wiping with a damp cloth isn’t enough, use a scraper to remove leftover baking soda from the oven. A small amount of residue is fine, as you’ll clean it further with vinegar.
Finish the cleaning process with vinegar
Apply vinegar spray inside the oven. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and generously spray it over the areas coated with baking soda residue. The vinegar will react, causing the baking soda to bubble up.
Wipe down the oven once more. Use a damp cloth to clean the areas where bubbling occurred. If any residue remains, apply more vinegar and wipe again. Continue this process until the oven is completely clean.
Clean the oven racks. Sprinkle baking soda over the racks, then spray or pour white vinegar on top. The baking soda will start to fizz. Once the fizzing begins, submerge the racks in a tub of hot water and let them soak overnight.
Reinstall the oven racks. After cleaning, place the racks back into their original positions. Reassemble all parts that were removed during the cleaning process. Your oven is now ready for use.
Tips
- You might need to clean the oven again if it isn't as spotless as you'd like.
- Add 1/8 cup (240 ml) of dish soap to the mixture if baking soda and water alone aren't effective in cleaning the oven.
Warning
- Always wear rubber gloves while cleaning the oven to prevent skin irritation.
What You'll Need
- Baking soda
- Water
- Scrub sponge
- White vinegar
- Rubber gloves
- Spatula
