The oven cleaner smells, really! Time consuming and commercial oven cleaners are toxic. I also don’t feel like scrubbing hard surfaces and cleaning ages of build-up with useless cleansers. When I change from the usual cleaners to natural Figuring out how to clean the oven was at the top of my list.
I don’t have a self-cleaning stove (which would be nice) so I had to find an easy and non-toxic cleaning method. Here’s how to clean your oven from top to bottom with your own cleaners. Plus tips for those looking for something quick and easy!
How to clean the oven naturally
If you’re like me, your oven will occasionally (or often, in my case) get burnt food in the oven. Then there are splatters, stubborn stains and grease on the side of the glass of the oven door.
My oven does not have a self cleaning function like some. I also don’t think it’s appealing to turn off the stove with old-fashioned elbow grease for an hour while sticking half of my body in a dirty kitchen utensil.
The self-cleaning option is one way to solve this problem, but I’ve read that the high-heat self-cleaning feature causes ingredients to burn quickly. During the self-cleaning cycle, the oven reaches 900 degrees Fahrenheit and the high temperature can cause other issues. However, it is not known to what extent stoves emit deadly carbon monoxide during self-cleaning. It’s enough for experts to advise you to leave the room or leave the house while you work!
Another option is steam cleaning with warm water. The idea is that the hot water softens the dirt so you can wash it off. While this can work for small stains, it requires a lot of scrubbing and cleaning.
So, for now, my oven will clean itself… by me!
Natural stove cleaner: methods of attack
It’s easy to ignore a dirty stove. Close the oven door and pretend it’s not there (unlike my dishwasher Dirty food…Amen) Eventually everything baked on food leads to a smoky oven! I checked out the store’s heavy-duty oven cleaning products and was not impressed. They promise perishables but at the cost of lung-burning toxins. Not something I want in my kitchen or food area!
Fortunately, there are many ways to clean the oven without harsh chemicals or a lot of scrubbing. Before I found a good oven cleaner, I tried a few natural alternatives: baking soda!
How to clean the stove
Once you have the right cleaners, cleaning your oven is very easy. If you want to do a deep, top-to-bottom cleaning session, there are a few steps. Here’s how to do it!
Clean the oven shelves
When cleaning your oven, don’t forget about the oven racks. If yours aren’t too bad, spray with some cleaning solution and wipe with a dry cloth (more on my favorite cleaner below!) For serious problems, try soaking overnight in warm water and dish soap in the sink. Use after washing Homemade flour And washing soap to clean.
Clean the outer door
The inside of the oven door accumulates grease and baked on food, but the outside gets dirty. It is important to remove any strong detergents, cleaners, steel wool or other debris from the exterior. These can damage the surface and cause scratches and dents.
Soapy water and a damp cloth work well. If your oven is stainless steel, non-toxic stainless steel cleaner or distilled vinegar are good options. Homemade glass cleaner also works well on most stovetops.
Clean the oven
Next to the oven, this might be my favorite place to clean. First, make sure the oven floor is cold. It also helps to remove any dirt or liquid with vinegar immediately after it occurs. Sometimes it can be hard to swim with little kids and a million things!
- If you have a flat-top electric stove, these require special treatment. Gentle alternatives such as a little dish soap in warm water can work. Use a plastic squeegee (an old credit card can work) for scraps. Try soaking a cloth in diluted vinegar and place it over the sticky food for a few hours. This helps to remove the dirt easily. Some sources recommend using a soft cloth with water and baking soda to clean glass stoves.
- For a gas range, start by soaking the burners and soaking them in soapy water. If you have uncoated cast iron then do not Soak like rust. If you have an older electric styler, also remove the drip pans under the burner coils and boil them.
- Next, wash the top of the oven with soapy water or An all-purpose cleaner. If you use soap, follow this up by wiping with a little vinegar to remove soap residue. Sticking to the sheets, try the wet cloth method mentioned above.
- Wash the coated grits in the sink with a little baking soda or soapy water.
How to clean in the oven
First, remove the cookware or racks in the oven. I have found two different cleaners that work perfectly for the oven.
How to clean the oven with baking soda
It seems like a simple fix, but baking soda paste is a quick and easy way to eat up your oven’s crust. Baking soda can help make the difficult task of cleaning the oven a little easier. Here’s what you need (of course!):
Provisions
- Spray bottle with water.
- Baking soda
All I have to do to get a shiny oven is spray the oven down with a water bottle to keep it moist. Then I sprinkle baking soda in the thick layer under the oven. You can also paste with baking soda and water and then use a soft brush or cloth to cover the bottom and sides of the oven. Make sure it is not on any heating elements.
Here is the process step by step:
Instructions
- Spray the inside of the oven with water, making sure it is evenly moist. Pour a 1/4 inch layer of baking soda on the bottom of the pan. If you see any dry spots, mist it until it matches the water bottle.
- Or mix baking soda and water in a bowl to make a smooth paste. Cover the bottom and sides of the pan with this mixture.
- Leave the paste for several hours, preferably overnight. Unless you want to see some amateur special effects, turn off the oven… I don’t recommend this!
- Wipe the mixture with a cloth or an old towel. All the frustration comes with it!
- For a properly baked mess, this may take a few applications.
Note: It is important to ensure that any residue is completely removed before using the oven. Leftover baking soda can smoke if it comes in contact with the heating element.
Some people suggest spraying the oven with some White vinegar Or lemon juice as a last step to make it easier to clean the oven. However, I usually don’t find this necessary.
Option 2: Branch Basics
The baking soda method was one of my first natural cleaning discoveries, but I’ve since found another option!
It is called The basics of branching And be warned… raving follows as I am addicted to their products. I had heard about these cleansers for a long time before trying them (doubtful of me). I love my thrifty household cleaners and suspected it might be as good as other people’s. Branch Basics is a cleaning stock that you can use for almost anything.
Turns out it’s not that good… it’s better! I feel stupid for waiting so long to try.
The story goes like this:
The great furnace explosion
It all started when I had to cook for a large group and I had a lot of potatoes in the oven. In my haste, I forgot to go crazy with a fork and a lot of the potatoes exploded, of course, throwing all their sweet potato sticky mess up and down the stove.
He was a smoking, awful mess. It was also bad because this was just before Thanksgiving company and I needed my oven fully functional ASAP. The baking soda method will not work as it takes several hours if not overnight to work.
I decided to test out the basics of my new branch… I wondered if it could do anything to clean that oven!
The biggest revelation…
I make a concentrated mix of Branch Basics concentrate and spray it on the stove. I watched in amazement as the cooked dirt melted from the sides and bottom. A quick clean with a brush and some microfiber cloths and it looks like a brand-new oven! Definitely beats the baking soda method.
DIY Diva by…
After that, you better believe I bought a 5-gallon concentrator that will last for years.
If, like me, you could use something that makes cleaning a little easier and more fun, Branch Basics has a discount for Wellness Mama readers. Use code WELLNESSMAMA In this link 15% discount on starter kit for first time customers.
I believe I don’t break out my DIY cleansers anymore because I have natural, pre-made ones that work. Who doesn’t need a little shortcut now and then? In addition, Branch Basics was started by a mother who needed natural and safe cleaning solutions. (Sounds familiar!) Listen to the story in this one. Health Mom Podcast.
How do you clean your oven without harsh chemicals? Have you found a natural oven cleaner that works for you? Share your tips below!
