Oven-Cleaning Hacks That Don't Involve Any Harsh Chemicals

We need to agree that oven cleaning isn't something we rush into doing. However, ovens accumulate a lot of spills, food particles, and dirt that get burned over and over again. Even if it's a tricky job, you shouldn't skip oven cleaning.

Why do ovens need regular cleaning?

A dirty oven will stop function properly and last a lot less than anticipated. Additionally, it causes a lot of smoke in the kitchen, which is unpleasant and poses a risk for your health. All in all, it's essential to have a spotless oven at any given moment.

when cleaning your oven, you can turn to branded oven cleaners. They are strong, but contain harmful chemicals for your health. Another solution is to turn to professional cleaning services. It’s not as expensive as you think and it spares you a lot of time and energy.

If none of these solutions speaks to you, you can always clean with natural products. They don't pose a risk for your health and are just as effective as the chemical alternatives. To get the best results, we recommend you try our cleaning hacks that don't require harsh chemicals. Keep reading!

Always vacuum first!

Regardless of the method or products you decide to use, you should always begin with vacuuming the dust, crumbs, dirt, and debris out of your oven. Should you have an oven with a self-cleaning cycle, you need to vacuum after the process is done. You may use the vacuum hose or the crevice attachment if you think that the hose is too powerful.

Look for a compact and lightweight vacuum for the job. A model with built-in storage for cleaning tools is perfect; you won't have difficulties switching from the hose to the crevice tool. An upright vacuum may feel a bit cumbersome to maneuver, especially if the kitchen is on the narrow side. If so, a handheld vacuum will work better.

1.      Salt for the quick fix

One of the easiest and cheapest methods to clean the oven is using salt. While you’re baking, the food you’re preparing may leak on the oven’s surface. If so, you only need to open the oven and sprinkle some salt where you notice the leak. Once the oven has cooled, it will be effortless for you to remove the stain.

2.      Baking soda and vinegar- the super-powerful hack

One of the best parts about naturally cleaning the oven is that you don't need to rush into stores and spend a lot of money on cleaning products. Nine times out of ten, you already have the ingredients at home. For this next hack, you only need some vinegar and baking soda.

You should begin with making a paste out of a one-half cup of baking soda and water. Continue with spreading the paste all over the oven's bottom, sidewalls, and inside the glass oven door. Stay away from the heating elements as you don't want to harm yourself or damage the oven.

Cleaning requires patience, and with this method, you need to wait at least a couple of hours. If you aim for the best cleaning results, you should let the paste work for an entire night. In the morning, you spray white vinegar all over the paste. The acid in the vinegar will react with the baking soda, producing foam. You can easily wipe down the foam and all the grime built up with a damp cloth.

3.      The magic of steam cleaning

Another effective method to magically clean your oven without chemicals is to use hot water and vinegar. The steam and vinegar will absorb and soften the grime; you only need a cloth to wipe it all away.

You begin with boiling one-third of a pot of water on the stove. Once it begins to boil, you need to add the same amount of white vinegar and let it simmer for 30 seconds. When time’s up, pick up the pot from the stove and put it inside the oven on the rack. Close the oven door and keep the oven closed for 40 to 60 minutes or so. You can clean the oven after you open the door by wiping the surface with a cloth dipped in the soapy solution. There’s no scrubbing involved as the grime will come off a lot easier than with other methods.

4.      Borax, vinegar, water, and some dish soap

Green cleaning becomes more and more popular amongst customers, and even professional cleaners switch from chemical solutions to natural alternatives. Borax is considered to be a green ingredient because it doesn’t have chlorine or phosphates. Instead, its primary ingredient is sodium tetraborate, which is a naturally occurring mineral.

You can make a mixture out of borax (1tbsp), dish soap (1.5 tbsp), white vinegar (1/4^th cup), and hot water (one cup). Mix the solution very well and apply it to the inner surface of your oven. Sprinkle baking soda and let it sit overnight for best results. In the morning, scrub all the grime away and wipe it with a clean cloth.

5.      Get the toothbrush

We’ve heard about people cleaning their bathrooms with toothbrushes, but these magical wands are great when cleaning the oven as well. The difficult-to-reach areas and corners in the oven that are tricky to clean otherwise are easy to reach with toothbrushes. Dip an old toothbrush in some cleaning solution and get in corners and difficult-to-reach areas to leave them cleaner than ever before.

6.      Clean the oven racks in the bathtub

Oven racks have odd sizes and shapes, and cleaning them in a sink is tricky. The best way to give the oven racks an excellent clean is by placing them in a bathtub filled with hot water and dish soap. You may very well use dishwasher tablets for the cleaning job.

A good trick is to place some old towels in the bathtub before placing the oven racks, so they don’t scratch the tub’s surface. Dishwasher tablets are even more effective than dish soaps. Place the racks so that they’re completely submerged and let them soak for several hours. Ideally, you should let them sit overnight.

After the oven racks have soaked, you should use an old toothbrush (a heavy-duty scrubber if you haven’t cleaned the racks for a long time) to remove all built-up grease, dirt, and grime. Take the racks from the bath and rinse them with warm water until the water runs clear. Use a kitchen cloth to dry the racks.

Needless to say, you need to thoroughly clean the bathtub after you’re done with the oven racks.

7.      Water and lemons

You only need some water and two lemons to make your oven immaculate. Take a pan, fill it with water, and add the juice from two lemons in it. You can also put the lemon halves in the pan for more effective results.

Continue with placing the pan in the oven and turning it on. Wait until the water starts to boil, and remove the pan afterwards. The steam loosens the grease and grime inside your oven, easing out the cleaning. It goes without saying that you have to wait for the oven to completely cool until you wipe it down with a damp cloth.