How To Clean An Oven: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cleaning an oven is one of those tasks that is often put off. In fact, for many of us it’s a dreaded chore that we wish we never had to do at all – the burnt and greasy may seem like an impossibility to get rid of! But this step-by-step guide to cleaning an oven will help you get it done.
Many people think that an oven with a self-cleaning function would be a piece of cake. However, there are some risks to consider with this innocent looking feature. Did you know that high heat self-cleaning ovens also give off unhealthy fumes? They come from burned leftover food and the enamel lining the oven.
Speaking of fumes, if you’re concerned about the fumes from the typical spray-on oven cleaner, put your mind at ease with this natural oven cleaning method. After all, the easiest way to clean an oven is actually with a simple homemade paste! By using a homemade mix of baking soda and water, you get a super clean oven with no risks to your health.
Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to clean an oven with all-natural baking soda and water paste.
Also see: Swipe ’til you drop! Clean the kitchen from top to bottom with these printable cleaning checklists
How to clean an oven
1. Begin by removing the oven racks
Make sure the oven is cool, then remove the grates to create an open space for cleaning. Set them aside for later cleaning.
2. Vacuum out loose crumbs
Use the hose attachment on your vacuum to suck up all the crumbs, leaving only the attached dirt.
3. Make a mixture of baking soda and water
Measure out about 1/2 cup of baking soda with about 3 tablespoons of water. Add one tablespoon at a time until you get a consistency of a paste.
I like to just add a little baking soda to the bowl, then pour in some water, adding more soda or water as needed to get the right amount of paste. It should just be a bit thicker, like in the picture, for easy application.
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Related: Printable spring cleaning checklists
4. Spread the mixture inside the oven
Rub the mixture onto the walls, bottom and inner door of the oven. Use a damp cloth or gloves to apply the paste. You’ll see that the paste works immediately as it starts to turn brown. However, you don’t want to wipe the paste off. It needs to cure overnight or at least 12 hours.
5. Clean the oven racks
The shelves are cleaned in a similar way. You just have to soak them in baking soda water. Because oven racks are typically larger than a kitchen sink, you’ll need to fill a bathtub or other large container with several inches of hot water. Then add between one and three cups of baking soda, depending on the size of the pan. A standard three-inch tub of water holds about two cups of baking soda.
Place the oven racks in the pan, making sure they are completely covered with water, then let set overnight. Now you can relax with a glass of wine while the baking soda mixes do their job!
6. Wipe the baking soda paste out of the oven
The next morning all you have to do is wipe the inside of the oven clean. Use a clean, damp rag to wipe off the dried paste. Rinse your rag regularly as you walk. For stubborn stains, just use a plastic scraper and that should be enough to remove the residue.
7. Spray oven with vinegar
Put some white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle, then squirt it inside your oven. This will react with baking soda remaining on the surface. Wipe it down with a rag and you’ll have a clean and shiny oven.
If you still see some of the white baking soda, just spritz again with vinegar until you’re happy with the result.
8. Clean the oven racks and place them back in the oven
Drain the tub and wipe down the oven racks with a scouring pad. Then rinse, dry and place the grates back in the oven.
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