Natural Oven Cleaner

Clean your oven without toxic fumes. This baking soda paste cuts through baked-on grease and grime safely.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Yield 1 application
Difficulty Easy
Cost $0.30

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Baking soda
  • 3 tablespoons Water (Enough to make a paste)
  • In spray bottle White vinegar (For final rinse)
  • 1 teaspoon Dish soap (Optional, for extra grease cutting)
Safe for: oven interiors, oven racks, glass oven doors
Avoid on: self-cleaning oven coating, heating elements

Why This Recipe Works

Baking soda is mildly alkaline and acts as a gentle abrasive that lifts baked-on food without scratching. When you spray vinegar after, it reacts with any remaining baking soda to create fizzing action that helps lift stubborn residue.

Instructions

  1. Remove racks: Take out oven racks and any loose debris.

  2. Make the paste: Mix baking soda with enough water to form a spreadable paste. Add dish soap if using.

  3. Apply paste: Spread the paste all over the oven interior, avoiding heating elements. Use a thicker layer on heavily soiled areas.

  4. Let it work: Leave overnight, or at least 12 hours. The paste will turn brown as it absorbs grease.

  5. Wipe out: Use a damp cloth to wipe out the paste. Use a plastic scraper for stubborn spots.

  6. Vinegar spray: Spray vinegar on any remaining residue. It will fizz - this helps remove the last of the baking soda and grime.

  7. Final wipe: Wipe clean with a damp cloth until no residue remains.

Tips & Variations

  • For oven racks: Make a larger batch of paste, coat racks, wrap in plastic, and let sit overnight. Scrub with a brush.
  • Glass door: This paste works great on the glass oven door too.
  • Maintenance cleaning: For regular maintenance, use this monthly to prevent heavy buildup.
  • Speed method: For lighter cleaning, apply paste, wait 30 minutes, then scrub.

Safety Notes

  • Avoid heating elements: Don’t apply paste to heating elements or gas igniters.
  • No fumes: Unlike commercial oven cleaners, this produces no toxic fumes.
  • Check self-cleaning ovens: Some self-cleaning coatings shouldn’t be cleaned with abrasives - check your manual.
  • Rinse thoroughly: Make sure all baking soda residue is removed before using the oven.

Storage

Make fresh for each use. Baking soda is inexpensive and paste doesn’t store well.

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