Raise your hand if you’ve ever baked something and wished you had a magic oven cleaner to scrub your food afterward. There is no doubt that you would have a lot more free time.
The most difficult appliances to clean, more so than the stovetop or the microwave, are ovens. It’s not shocking considering that every time you use your oven, dirt is literally baked on.
Therefore, if opening the oven door makes you cringe, following five simple strategies for cleaning an oven will help you keep your sanity.
1. Clean the Oven Naturally With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Try using a solution of vinegar and baking soda if your oven is unclean and you don’t have any oven cleaning on hand, or if you simply want a natural option.
To make a paste, Sean Parry of Neat Services advises combining 12 cups of baking soda with water. In order to avoid the heating elements, he continues, “next, spread the paste all over the bottom of the oven, the side walls, and the interior of the glass oven door.”
The combination should be left on for at least two hours or overnight. Then, spritz the baking soda with a mixture of half water and half white vinegar in a spray bottle. The baking soda will bubble as a result of the vinegar’s acid reacting with it, he claims. “This process aids in cleaning the oven of the burnt-on food stains.”
After 30 minutes, remove the baking soda mixture with a towel and a rubber spatula (if required). Finish by using a moist towel to clean everything.
2. Use Salt as a Quick Fix
According to Maid Nathan Ripley Salt is a simple, quick, and affordable way to clean an oven, according to Just Right. The surface of the oven “could occasionally have leaks from the food you’re preparing while you’re baking,” he explains.
“If so, open the oven right away and sprinkle some salt over the leak. You’ll have a simpler time eliminating the stain after the oven has cooled.”
3. Steam Clean Your Oven With Vinegar
John Linden, an interior designer in Los Angeles, enjoys steam cleaning with hot water and vinegar. They soften the dirt and absorb into it, he says, making it much easier to wipe away with a cloth.
Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil on the stove. “Add white vinegar in an equal quantity once it begins to boil. Give it another 30 to 60 seconds to boil “Linden declares.
After that, take the pot off the stove, put it on the rack inside the oven, and shut the oven door. 45 to 60 minutes should be given for the pot to sit. “You can begin cleaning as soon as you unlock the door. With a towel damp with soap, scrub the surface “Linden declares. The filth is considerably easier to remove than it would be if you just tried to scrub it.
4 Use Lemons and Water
Cyrus Bedwyr, an oven cleaning specialist with Fantastic Services, claims that all you need to clean your oven is a little water and two lemons. “Take a pan, add two lemons’ worth of juice, and then add water. The lemon halves can be added to the pan as well “He claims.
Next, position the pan inside the oven and ignite it. “After the water has boiled, remove the pan. The grease and filth within your oven will become more easily removable thanks to the steam.” Before cleaning the oven with a moist cloth, allow it to cool.
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5. Get Nooks and Crannies Clean With an Old Toothbrush
An outdated toothbrush is frequently used to clean bathrooms, but it can also be used to clean kitchens. The corners and hard-to-reach spaces of your oven are challenging to clean, according to Bedwyr. You’ll be surprised at how simple cleaning those corners will be if you simply dip a toothbrush in any cleaning solution.
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6. Clean Your Oven Racks in the Bathtub
Oven racks are frequently not cleaned as frequently as they ought to be because of their uncomfortable size and form. According to Parry, soaking racks in the bathtub is the best strategy.
He advises padding the tub with old towels before you begin the process to prevent scratches. After that, add a dishwasher tablet and some water to the tub. There is no reason why dishwasher tablets couldn’t clean oven racks just as effectively as they clean dishes, claims Parry.
Submerge the racks completely. Leave them alone for a few hours, or better yet, overnight. After soaking, he advises, “use an old toothbrush (or a tough scrubber) to get rid of any stuck-on food.” “Take the racks out of the bathroom. You can use them after giving them a warm water rinse and drying them with a fresh kitchen towel.”When you’re done, don’t forget to clean the bathtub!
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7. Always Start by Vacuuming
No matter whatever method you use, start by vacuuming up all of the filth, dust, crumbs, and debris from your oven. (Vacuuming should be done as well after the self-cleaning cycle.)
If the vacuum hose feels too forceful, use the crevice attachment instead. Due to its portability and lightweight, the Bissell CleanView Vacuum ($75; target.com) is perfect for this. Even better, it includes integrated cleaning tool storage, making switching between the hose and crevice tool simple.
A portable vacuum, such as the Shark Wandvac ($110; amazon.com), can be more convenient if an upright vacuum seems too heavy or your kitchen is small.