Does your oven look like a science experiment gone wrong? We’ve all been there—staring at the charred remnants of last week’s lasagne, wondering how on earth to tackle the mess.
Cleaning the oven is a chore often buried underneath our to-do lists. Who really wants to spend their day scrubbing away burnt-on grease and grime?
But a clean oven isn’t just easy on the eyes, it works better too. Fortunately, the solution is probably already in your cupboard: baking soda!
Yes, the same ingredient that helps your cakes rise can also make your oven shine.
Today, we’ll show you how to clean an oven with baking soda, and, trust us, it’s easier than you think!
Why Baking Soda
There are countless ways to use baking soda around the house, including cleaning your oven.
Baking soda is natural and non-toxic, unlike store-bought oven cleaners with their cocktail of harsh chemicals and warnings. But as gentle as it is, it can bust through heavy gunk and funky odours effortlessly.
Besides, we already use baking soda in, what else, baking! If it can go straight into your cookies, you can bet it’s also safe for keeping your oven tidy. Plus, it’s super affordable and even cheaper in bulk at big-box stores.
And, baking soda is eco-friendly; you can clean your oven guilt-free. No need to worry about aerosol cans or plastic containers ending up in landfills for the next thousand years!
How to Deep Clean Oven With Baking Soda
So, here’s what you should do if you want your freshly baked treats nowhere near the ghosts of dinners past.
First, gather your supplies. You’ll need:
- Baking soda (lots!)
- Water
- A bowl for mixing
- Rubber gloves
- A sponge or microfibre cloth
- A clean toothbrush
- A plastic scraper (an old credit card works in a pinch)
- White vinegar in a spray bottle
Now, time to get down and dirty:
Step 1: Clear Your Oven
Take out those oven racks, trays, and anything else that’s removable. Some brands have removable doors with inner glass plate inserts.
Check your manual if your model has this feature—it makes cleaning much easier. Follow the instructions to take off the oven door safely.
Learn more: Cleaning Windows With Vinegar
Step 2: Pre-treat the Oven Cavity
Mix up a paste using half a cup each of baking soda and water. You want it thick enough to spread and stick to the oven walls and ceiling. If it’s still too runny, add more of the powder.
Baking soda is abrasive, so put on those rubber gloves before going to town. Then, apply your cleaning paste all over the inside of your oven. Make sure to skip the vents, heating elements, and light bulbs.
Let the paste work its magic overnight. This gives it plenty of time to melt the grease and soften any stubborn crud. The best part? You won’t have to scrub as hard later.
Step 3: Clean the Racks
Next up, let’s tackle those racks. First, find a container large enough to soak them in.
If you’ve got a utility sink or a laundry tub, perfect! If not (and you’re okay with it), your bathtub will do just fine. Just clean it well before and after use.
Fill your soaking station with enough hot water to cover your racks and trays. Squeeze in some dish soap, add a cup or two of baking soda, and stir everything together.
Place your racks in the soapy water and let them marinate for at least two hours. You should notice the water getting dirty with burnt bits bobbing around shortly.
Once the two hours are up, scrub off the racks with a sponge or brush. For tough spots, whip up more of your baking soda and water mixture. Finally, rinse and dry them off with a clean towel.
Step 4: Scrub the Oven Cavity
Now, let’s get back to your oven. Get a damp microfibre cloth or sponge and wipe away all the dried baking soda paste. Use a clean toothbrush to tackle hard-to-reach spots and a plastic scraper for stuck-on food residue.
For an extra clean, spray the entire cavity with vinegar. It’ll fizz where it meets the baking soda, lifting off the grime.
Finish up by wiping everything down with a clean rag and let your oven air-dry.
Step 5: Clean Everything Else
Start by squirting dish soap onto a sponge and using it to wipe the interior glass of your oven. Be sure to reach all the edges and corners. Follow up with a damp cloth for a thorough wipe-down.
For streak-free shine, use a diluted vinegar solution. Mix vinegar and water equally in a spray bottle and give the glass a once-over.
Next, let’s move on to the outside of your oven. Spritz the vinegar solution onto a microfibre cloth and give the oven door, handle, knobs, and the rest of the panel a good wipe-down.
Learn more: How to Clean a Toilet Properly
How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?
It depends on how much baking, broiling, and open roasting you get up to. But as a general rule, aim for a deep oven clean every three months or so of regular use.
Remember, you don’t have to sweat it if you let the baking soda paste sit overnight.
If you’re not using your oven as often, you can probably stretch that deep clean to once or twice a year. You’ll even save time and energy with regular spot cleaning.
Also, think about the kinds of dishes you cook. If you love bubbling sauces and gooey, melty cheese, you may need to clean more often.
To keep your oven looking spiffy between deep cleans, sprinkle baking soda on fresh spills while the oven is still warm (but not hot). The baking soda will absorb the spill and make it easier to wipe away later.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, take advantage of it! Of course, this function isn’t a substitute for a thorough deep clean.
Lastly, don’t forget to place a drip tray at the bottom of your oven to catch those rogue spills and splatters.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s how to clean the oven with baking soda! That wasn’t so bad, was it?
The next time your oven looks a little worse for wear, grab that carton of miracle cleaning powder. It’s gentle, effective, and safe to use around food and people.
Now, give it a go, and enjoy your shiny, fresh-smelling oven!
