Keeping your oven clean can be a challenging task, especially when grease, burnt-on food, and spills accumulate over time. While store-bought cleaners can be effective, they are often expensive and packed with harsh chemicals. Luckily, you can make a DIY oven cleaner at home using simple ingredients that are safe, effective, and budget-friendly.
This guide will walk you through creating a homemade oven cleaner, how to use it on various surfaces, and tips for achieving a sparkling, odor-free oven without toxic chemicals.
Table of Contents
- Why Make a DIY Oven Cleaner?
- Ingredients for Homemade Oven Cleaner
- Tools You’ll Need
- How to Make DIY Oven Cleaner
- Tips for Best Results
- Step-by-Step Summary for DIY Oven Cleaner
- FAQs About DIY Oven Cleaner
- Benefits of Using a DIY Oven Cleaner
- Extra Tips and Hacks
- Conclusion
Why Make a DIY Oven Cleaner?
Commercial oven cleaning solutions can be pricey and may contain strong chemicals that irritate your skin or lungs. A DIY oven cleaner offers several advantages:
- Cost-effective: Most ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find.
- Safe and non-toxic: Ideal for homes with children and pets.
- Eco-friendly: Reduces chemical exposure and environmental impact.
- Customizable: Add scents like lemon for a fresh, clean aroma.
- Highly effective: Removes grease, grime, and burnt-on food.
By making your own natural oven cleaner, you can save money while keeping your oven spotless and safe to use.
Ingredients for Homemade Oven Cleaner
You only need a few common household ingredients to make an effective DIY oven cleaning solution.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps lift grime and grease without scratching oven surfaces.
2. White Vinegar
Vinegar works as a natural degreaser and helps dissolve tough stains.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon adds a fresh scent and extra cleaning power, especially for stubborn grease.
4. Dish Soap
Mild dish soap, like Dawn, helps break down grease and enhances the cleaning effect.
5. Optional Ingredients
- Hydrogen peroxide: For tougher stains and extra disinfecting power.
- Salt or Borax: To boost scrubbing power for heavily soiled ovens.
Tools You’ll Need
Having the right tools makes oven cleaning at home much easier:
- Spray bottle (for vinegar or cleaning solution)
- Scrub brush or sponge
- Microfiber cloths
- Rubber gloves (to protect your hands)
- Plastic scraper (for stubborn, stuck-on food)
- Oven mitts
- Bucket (for mixing and soaking removable racks)
How to Make DIY Oven Cleaner
Follow these steps to make your homemade oven cleaner:
Step 1: Make a Baking Soda Paste
Combine baking soda with a small amount of water to form a thick paste. The paste should be spreadable but not runny.
Step 2: Apply to Oven Surfaces
Spread the paste evenly across the interior surfaces of the oven, avoiding heating elements. Focus on greasy areas and stubborn burnt-on stains.
Step 3: Let It Sit
Allow the baking soda paste to sit for at least 15–30 minutes, or overnight for heavily soiled ovens. This gives the paste time to break down grease and grime.
Step 4: Spray Vinegar
Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and lightly spray it over the baking soda paste. The solution will fizz and bubble, helping to lift stubborn stains.
Step 5: Scrub and Wipe
Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub oven surfaces. For tough, stuck-on food, use a plastic scraper. Wipe away residue with a damp microfiber cloth.
Step 6: Clean Oven Racks
Remove oven racks and soak them in a mixture of hot water, dish soap, and baking soda in a bucket. Scrub thoroughly and rinse before placing them back in the oven.
Tips for Best Results
- Ventilation: Always ensure proper ventilation when cleaning with vinegar or other concentrated ingredients.
- Protect Your Hands: Wear rubber gloves to avoid irritation from baking soda or dish soap.
- Avoid Harsh Scratching: Do not use metal scrubbers on glass or non-stick surfaces.
- Repeat if Needed: Heavily soiled ovens may require a second application for best results.
- Use on Self-Cleaning Ovens: For ovens with a self-cleaning function, follow the manufacturer’s instructions; this DIY cleaner is mainly for manual cleaning.
Step-by-Step Summary for DIY Oven Cleaner
- Mix baking soda with water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste evenly inside the oven.
- Let it sit for 15–30 minutes or overnight for tough grease.
- Spray white vinegar over the paste to activate fizzing.
- Scrub with a sponge or brush, using a plastic scraper for stubborn spots.
- Wipe clean with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Remove and soak oven racks in hot soapy water, then scrub and rinse.
- Dry everything before reassembling the oven.
FAQs About DIY Oven Cleaner
Is this DIY oven cleaner safe for all ovens?
Yes, it’s safe for conventional ovens, microwave ovens, and most glass oven doors. Avoid using abrasive scrubs on non-stick surfaces.
Can I use lemon instead of vinegar?
Absolutely! Lemon juice works as a natural degreaser and leaves a fresh scent. Combine with baking soda for a strong cleaning paste.
Will this remove tough burnt-on grease?
Yes, for most grease and burnt-on food. For extremely stubborn stains, let the paste sit overnight or add hydrogen peroxide to boost cleaning power.
How often should I clean my oven?
For regular use, clean every 2–3 months. Heavy cooking or greasy foods may require more frequent cleaning.
Can I clean oven racks in the dishwasher?
Yes, if they fit in your dishwasher. Otherwise, soaking in hot water with dish soap and baking soda works just as well.
Benefits of Using a DIY Oven Cleaner
- Non-toxic and safe: Reduces exposure to harsh chemicals.
- Budget-friendly: Most ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find.
- Eco-friendly: Uses natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice.
- Effective: Removes grease, burnt-on food, and odor.
- Customizable: Adjust strength or scent based on preference.
Extra Tips and Hacks
- Preheat Before Scrubbing: Warm your oven slightly (not hot) to loosen grime.
- Use a Spray Bottle: For easy application of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix baking soda with salt or borax for extra scrubbing power.
- Regular Maintenance: Wipe up spills after each use to reduce deep cleaning frequency.
- Storage: Keep leftover vinegar or cleaning solution in a spray bottle for quick touch-ups.
Conclusion
Cleaning your oven doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals or expensive store-bought products. This DIY oven cleaner is natural, non-toxic, and highly effective. With baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and dish soap, you can remove grease, burnt-on food, and odors while keeping your oven safe for cooking.
Using this homemade oven cleaning solution not only saves money but also creates a healthier home environment. It works for conventional ovens, microwaves, and even oven racks, leaving everything fresh, clean, and sparkling.
Next time your oven needs a deep clean, skip the chemical-laden products and make this DIY oven cleaner at home. You’ll enjoy a spotless oven, fresh-smelling kitchen, and peace of mind knowing it’s safe for your family and pets.
Emma Vanderlyn is a home enthusiast with a passion for all things natural and eco-friendly. With years of experience experimenting with DIY solutions, she’s dedicated to creating safe, effective, and budget-friendly cleaning recipes that are kind to both your home and the planet. Emma believes that a clean home shouldn’t come at the cost of harsh chemicals, and her easy-to-follow guides make natural cleaning accessible to everyone.
When she’s not whipping up a new cleaner in her kitchen, Emma can be found researching the latest in green living or transforming her space with mindful, stylish decor ideas. She’s here to share her love of natural living and help you create a home that shines—naturally.
