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How to clean an oven in one afternoon with oven cleaner you make

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Let’s face it, cleaning the oven is a frustrating process. If only our ovens could clean themselves, we wouldn’t have to worry about all of the grime and build-up from past meals coating the racks. Even self-cleaning ovens require you to scrub baked-on food and grease with a sponge and water before starting the cleaning cycle.

That being said, manually cleaning your oven doesn’t have to be a stressful task. If you’re looking for a quick and simple solution to clean your oven in just a few hours, we’ve got you covered: Take a look at our tips for cleaning your oven without any harsh chemicals.

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Choose an eco-friendly option for your appliance

Using a chemical-free and all-natural cleaning solution is better for your health and safety. Family meals go into your oven, so the last thing you want is for your food to become contaminated with harsh cleaning chemicals. Chemical oven cleaners are safe as long as you follow the instructions precisely and burn off any lingering toxins. However, we say it’s better to be safe than sorry, so opt for natural cleaning products.

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Eco-friendly cleaning solutions provide you peace of mind, knowing that your food won’t contain microplastics, lye, or phosphates. In fact, one of the most dangerous ingredients in oven cleaners is lye, a compound made of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, which is highly corrosive and can burn your skin and eyes.

Instead of using traditional oven cleaners, choose green options like the Meliora cleaning scrub, which is tough on stains and build-up but gentle on your skin. Additionally, there are no harsh chemicals, and the solution is dye and paraben-free!

gloved hand cleaning an oven
Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock

How to make your own oven cleaner at home

Instead of purchasing a new oven cleaner, you can make your own using a few simple ingredients you might already have.

What you’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup dish soap
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup baking soda
  • ¼ cup water
  • Bowl
  • Sponge or brush

Create your mixture

First, mix your baking soda and water in a bowl to create a thin paste. Next, slowly add in the vinegar and dish soap. As you stir in the vinegar, you’ll notice the solution begin to foam as the vinegar reacts to the baking soda.

Scrub the mixture onto the oven door and interior

Next, remove the oven racks and spread the foamy paste onto the door and interior using a brush or sponge. Be sure to leave a little dollop of the cleaner on tough stains that you can scrub in later.

Let it sit

Once your oven is coated with the mixture, let it sit for about four to six hours. During this time, the baking soda and vinegar begin to soak into any tough, stuck-on stains. In addition, the alkaline mixture of the baking soda will break up any acidic grease build-up.

While your solution rests, head to the sink to clean your oven racks.

Clean it up

After the solution’s rested in the oven for a few hours, use a damp cloth to wipe away the residue. You’ll notice that most of your stains are lifted. If you have any particularly rough patches, you may need to use a scrub brush and more of your solution to clear away the messes.

As a final touch, rinse and reuse the damp cloth to wipe down the open once more, ensuring all cleaning remnants are gone. Then, you’ll be left with a shiny, ultra-clean oven.

woman replacing oven racks in a clean oven
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Wash your racks with soap and water

While you wait for your solution to soak into the stains in your oven, you can begin washing your racks.  If you have the space in your sink or tub, fill it with warm water and pour in a mixture of one part vinegar to one part dish soap. Begin scrubbing the racks with a sponge or scrub brush until they’re squeaky clean.

To make this process easier, allow the racks to soak for an hour or two in the soapy water to help break up any grime. Then, scrub and rinse with warm water.

This eco-friendly oven cleaning solution is just as effective as harsh, chemical cleaners, and it will ensure you and your family are safe from any toxins. You certainly don’t need to deep clean your oven every day, but when you do, why not use a product that does most of the work for you? By soaking your oven and racks in vinegar, baking soda, and warm water, you can wipe away stains in no time.

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Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson
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Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
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