Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
The first of our oven cleaning hacks involves two heroes of the DIY cleaning world: Baking soda and vinegar. Start by mixing half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to create a paste. Spread this paste all over the interior surfaces of your oven, avoiding the heating elements.
Let it sit overnight, or at least 12 hours, for the magic to happen. The baking soda will break down the grime and grease, making it easier to clean.
After the time has passed, take a damp cloth and wipe away the baking soda paste. You will notice the grime coming off with it. For those stubborn spots, spray a little white vinegar over the area. The vinegar will react with the baking soda residue, creating a gentle foam that further helps remove the grime. Wipe down with a clean, damp cloth. You will be amazed at the results.
Clean With Lemons and Water
If you are looking for a natural solution that also leaves your kitchen smelling fresh, then leveraging the power of lemons is one of the best oven cleaning hacks. Simply cut a couple of lemons in half and squeeze their juice into an oven-safe dish. Add the lemon halves to the dish as well and fill it halfway with water.
Place the dish in the oven and set it to bake at a low temperature (about 250 degrees Fahrenheit) for about an hour. The steam from the lemon water will help loosen the grime, making it easier to wipe away.
Once the oven has cooled down, use a damp cloth to remove the softened food debris and grime.
Using Dish Soap for a Deep Clean is one of the Best Oven Cleaning Hacks!
Dish soap is designed to cut through grease and burnt-on food, making it a perfect solution for your oven. Fill a spray bottle with water, add a few drops of dish soap, and spray generously inside your oven. For an even deeper clean, you can add a few drops of dish soap to a warm, damp sponge and directly apply it to the more troublesome areas.
Let the solution sit for about 20 minutes, then use a scrubbing pad or brush to tackle the grime. The soap will have loosened the grease and burnt-on food, making it much easier to scrub away.
Rinse with a damp cloth and repeat if necessary. This hack is great for regular maintenance and prevents the build-up of grime.
Try the Oven Cleaning Bag Trick
One of the lesser-known oven cleaning hacks is using a garbage bag to clean your oven racks. Add half a quart of ammonia to the bag, seal it tightly, and let it sit outside overnight. The fumes from the ammonia will loosen the grime on the racks.
The next day, open the bag (preferably outdoors to avoid inhaling the strong ammonia scent) and remove the racks. The grime will be soft and easy to remove with a sponge or scrubbing brush. Rinse the racks thoroughly before putting them back in the oven.
Steam Oven Cleaning Hack with Water and Vinegar
Our final oven cleaning hack is utilizing the power of steam to loosen the grime. Fill an oven-safe bowl with equal parts water and vinegar, and place it in the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and let the mixture boil for about 20 to 30 minutes. The steam will help loosen the grime and grease.
After turning off the oven and letting it cool, use a damp cloth to wipe away the grime. For tougher spots, a scrubbing pad may be necessary. This method is great for maintenance cleaning and is completely natural.