Tired of scrubbing away at your dirty oven, only to find that it’s still covered in grime?
We’ve all been there. But fear not, because we’ve rounded up 8 oven cleaning hacks that will make the job a breeze!
From spraying with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to using a dishwasher tablet, these tips will have your oven looking immaculate in no time.
So, forget about elbow grease and give these hacks a try. Your oven (and your arms) will thank you.
1. Suck Up the Grime
This first hack is a great way to start cleaning your oven before trying any of the following hacks in this article.
First, make sure that your oven is cool and that the power supply has been turned off.
If your oven is particularly dirty, you can use a brush or scraper to remove any large pieces of food or grime from the oven.
Once you’ve gotten rid of the big stuff, turn on your vacuum cleaner and use the thin nozzle attachment to suction up any remaining bits of food or grime.
Be careful not to vacuum too close to the heating elements or any other sensitive parts of the oven.
When you’re finished, wipe the inside of the oven down with a warm, damp cloth to remove any remaining debris.
This may be all you need to do to clean your oven, however, if you want your oven looking brand-new, we recommend trying the hack using bicarbonate of soda with vinegar and water.
2. Bicarbonate of Soda, Vinegar and Water
Are you worried about the harsh chemicals in commercial oven cleaners?
Well, this may be just the hack for you.
You’ll need to begin by mixing together a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to a small amount of water and stir until you have a thick, smooth paste.
Once you’ve made your paste, spread it evenly on the inside surface of your oven, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
Let the paste sit for at least a few hours, or even overnight if you have the time. This will allow the bicarbonate of soda to work its magic and loosen up any stuck-on grime.
When you’re ready to finish the cleaning process, mix together equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Spray the mixture over the surface of the oven, then use a sponge or cloth to scrub the paste and grime away.
Wipe the oven down with a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
3. A Lemon Steam Bath for Your Oven
Cleaning your oven with water and lemon is a natural and effective way to remove grime and stuck-on food.
To get started, take a deep pan and add water and lemon juice to it. You can also use a few slices of lemon if you don’t have any lemon juice lying around.
Turn on the oven, allowing the water to come to a boil. This will cause it to steam up, allowing the water and the acid in the lemon juice to work its magic on the grime and grease in your oven.
Let the oven cool down, and when you’re ready to finish the cleaning process, use a sponge or cloth to scrub the inside of the oven, paying extra attention to any areas that are particularly dirty.
Your oven should now be spotless and smelling fresh and citrusy.
4. Steaming to Success Using Water and Vinegar
Similar to the hack using water and lemon, this hack uses steam to soften the stuck bits of food.
Fill a pan with water and bring it to a boil on the stove. You can also boil the water in a kettle, then add it to the pan.
Once the water is boiling, add a few cups of white vinegar to the pan.
Place the pan of boiling water and vinegar inside the oven, making sure that it is placed on a rack in the centre of the oven. Close the oven door and let the pan sit inside the oven for about 30 minutes.
When the time is up, carefully remove the pan from the oven and use a sponge or cloth to scrub the inside of the oven clean.
This hack will make the grime come off much more easily, saving you time and effort.
5. Bubble, Bubble, Clean with No Trouble
Trying to clean your racks in the sink can be a difficult task, and quite arduous when you have to scrub each individual bar on the rack.
That’s why cleaning the oven racks in the bathtub is a much easier alternative.
Here’s what you do:
Remove the racks from the oven and place them in the bathtub.
Fill the tub with hot water, making sure that the racks are completely covered, adding a few squirts of washing up liquid to the water.
Leave the racks to soak for a few hours, or if possible, leave them overnight. This will help loosen any stuck-on grease or food.
Use a scrub brush or sponge to scrub the racks clean, paying extra attention to any areas that are particularly dirty. This should be relatively easy, as all the grime should come right off.
Once you’ve scrubbed the racks clean, rinse them off with hot water and dry them thoroughly before placing them back in the oven.
You can now enjoy shiny oven racks to complement your squeaky-clean oven.
6. Toothbrush to the Rescue
You may find that a sponge won’t get those hard-to-reach spots in your oven that you need to clean.
That’s where our favourite tool comes in—the old toothbrush.
The detergent you use is up to you. We recommend using an oven cleaner or making a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, as mentioned earlier.
Use the toothbrush to scrub the paste or cleaner into all the nooks and crannies in the oven, such as the corners and edges.
Once you’ve scrubbed the entire oven, wipe the inside of the oven down with a damp cloth to remove any remaining grime or cleaner.
Your oven should now be clean and shiny, with no more bits of grease stuck in the corners.
7. Dishwasher Tablets Aren’t Just for Dishes
Cleaning your oven door with a dishwasher tablet is a quick and easy way to remove grime on the glass door.
Wet a cloth or sponge with hot water and place a dishwasher tablet on it. Use the cloth or sponge to scrub the door with the dishwasher tablet, paying extra attention to any areas that are particularly dirty.
The dishwasher tablet will eliminate grease, giving your oven door a more transparent look.
8. Vinegar: The Natural Choice for a Clean Oven
Cleaning your oven with vinegar is a natural and effective way to remove grime and stuck-on food.
Mix together equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Next, spray the mixture generously over the inside of your oven, making sure to cover all surfaces.
Allow the vinegar mixture sit for a couple of hours. This will allow the acid in the vinegar to break down any stuck-on grime.
Now you’re ready to start scrubbing away the last bits of grease and food. Once you’re happy with the result, simply wipe it clean with a cloth.
Easy Tips for Oven Maintenance
Maintaining a clean oven is important to keep it working efficiently and to prevent any unwanted odours or flavours from contaminating your food.
Here are some tips for maintaining a clean oven:
- Wipe up any spills or splatters as soon as they happen to prevent them from hardening and becoming more difficult to clean later on.
- Use a silicone baking mat or aluminium foil on the bottom of the oven to catch any spills or splatters. These can be easily removed and disposed of when they get dirty.
- Avoid using aerosol oven cleaners, as they can leave a residue that can be harmful to breathe in and can affect the taste of your food.
- Consider using a natural oven cleaner, such as bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, to avoid using harsh chemicals.
- Regularly clean the door seals and gasket to prevent food and grime from getting trapped in the crevices.
- Run the self-cleaning cycle on your oven every few months to help keep it clean and in good working order.
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