7 Easy and Eco Oven Cleaning Tricks to Implement in Your Kitchen

Let’s face it, cleaning the oven isn’t very high on everyone’s to-do list. Alas, the more you use your appliance, the more it is bound to deposit grease and grime inside it, which can cause smoke and alter the taste of your food. 

The good news is that you don’t need to use expensive chemicals to have a sparkling oven, as there are just as good (if not better) natural ways to organise that.

So, what are the easiest eco-friendly tricks when it comes to cleaning an oven at home? 

Let’s dive in and find out!

How to clean your oven overnight

You can easily clean your oven overnight by combining two of the most potent green cleaning ingredients you likely have in your kitchen: baking soda (bicarb) and white vinegar.

  1. First off, you start cleaning your oven with bicarb by mixing it with a little bit of water to create a paste.
  2. Spread that paste all over the interior of your oven (including the glass door and racks). Make sure that everything is covered really well.
  3. Close the door and let it sit overnight.
  4. On the next day, fill an empty spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and spritz some on the now dry soda. Keep doing this until the entire oven is fizzing.
  5. Close the door and let it sit for 1-2 hours.
  6. Everything should be coming off easily. Use a rag or a cleaning cloth to scrub in circular motions. Continue until all traces of bicarb are entirely gone.
  7. If your oven is incredibly filthy, you might need to repeat the entire process again.
  8. Once done, enjoy your sparkling oven.

How to clean your oven with lemon

Lemons are one of the most used natural cleaning hacks. The citric acid found in them is both antibacterial and antiseptic and also helps add shine to your appliances. Lemons are also the best choice when removing grease and making your oven sparkle again. 

How to create a DIY oven cleaner with lemon

You can create your own lemon cleaning agent and replace the need for any pricey chemical products.

  1. First, juice a couple of lemons.
  2. Mix the lemon juice with water and put the mixture on the stove to boil.
  3. Once the mixture boils, add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.
  4. When the mixture stirs, take it off the heat.
  5. Once the mixture has cooled, you can add it to an empty spraying bottle.
  6. You can now spray the solution directly onto dirty/greased areas and use a scourer or a cleaning cloth to clean off.

How to clean stove top and oven glass with lemon

Cleaning with lemon not only restores shine to glass and metal but also brings a fresh, clean smell to your kitchen once you are done.

  1. Cut a lemon in half to clean the stovetop and rub it all over its surface.
  2. Use a warm, damp cloth to wipe it down once finished.
  3. Apply the same method with the oven glass, and you are done.

How to clean your oven with salt

Cleaning your oven with salt is another natural way to remove spills and burnt-on food bits. Plus, it’s a common ingredient found in every kitchen. If you spill food in your hot oven and can’t clean it immediately, just sprinkle some table salt on it.

Sodium is an adequate eco-cleaning ingredient because of its abrasive and absorbent properties. It keeps stains from setting, and if used in combination with white vinegar, it can clean even the most stubborn stains and greased-on bits.

How to use:

  • Grab some salt and apply it to the spill;
  • Let it sit for a few hours;
  • Use a soft cleaning cloth to remove the spill once the cooking compartment cools.

How to use DIY sugar soap to clean an oven

Sugar soap is usually used to clean walls and prepare them for paint, as it can easily remove years of built-up dirt and grime. It’s a strong de-greaser that can easily lift anything from light oil in the garage to grease stains and built-up grime in your oven.

However, it’s not exactly a natural oven cleaning method, but it is effective, especially if you want to give your oven a thorough cleaning.

To create your own safe cleaning solution, mix 1 part sugar soap with 10 parts water, and clean away. You can pour this diluted sugar soap directly onto the sponge or the cloth for stubborn grease stains and caked-on dirt.

Sugar soap can also be used to clean:

  • Bathroom surfaces;
  • Floors;
  • Enamel;
  • Glass;
  • Tiles.
How to naturally steam clean an oven

Using the power of steam to clean your oven is a natural, eco-friendly way to remove the built-up dirt and grime from your appliance’s interior. However, this method’s effectiveness depends entirely on the type of oven you have, the amount of build-up inside, and the steam cleaning method you choose.

How to use your oven’s steam-clean setting

Many modern ovens have a steam-clean setting, which is intended for routine maintenance.

  1. Remove all cookware, racks, and accessories.
  2. Wipe any loose debris and grease.
  3. Pour a glass of water into the reservoir (or directly to the bottom of the oven).
  4. While the door’s closed, select the “steam-clean” setting and press “start”. The cleaning cycle can last up to half an hour.
  5. Lastly, once the cycle is finished and the oven has cooled, open the door and wipe any remaining moisture with a cleaning cloth or a sponge.

How to steam clean your oven with vinegar

Using the power of white vinegar is another eco oven cleaning hack that does wonders for your appliance’s interior. All you need is a wide pot or a casserole dish, some water, and distilled white vinegar.

  1. Remove all the racks, clean them separately, and place one in the centre of the oven.
  2. Add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the casserole, followed by enough water to fill it.
  3. Place the casserole inside, close the door, and turn the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes, depending on how dirty your oven is.
  5. Use a damp cloth or a sponge to wipe the interior clean. Use a scrubber pad and baking soda where necessary for any remaining stubborn spots. After that, remove the casserole, and leave your oven to cool off.

How to steam clean your oven with lemon

Steam cleaning your oven naturally with lemons is another really effective way to remove all the built-up gunk inside.

  1. First, juice 2-3 lemons and add them to an oven-proof bowl.
  2. Place the bowl in the oven, close the door, and turn the heat on.
  3. When the water starts to boil, turn your oven off, and allow the mixture to cool down while the steam circulates.
How to clean your oven with a dishwasher tablet

Dishwasher tablets are another excellent way to clean your oven. They are made of concentrated dishwasher detergent and are an effective degreaser. It turns out you only need a pressed powder tablet or two (not the gel ones) and some warm water to remove any tough and stubborn stains effectively.

  1. Pour some warm water into a bowl and dip the pod inside.
  2. Hold it inside long enough to soak up a bit, but not so long as it starts to crumble.
  3. Once ready, use the tablet to scrub (no sponge needed). You can dip it in the warm water again once the tablet starts to dry.
  4. To scrub away the stains, lay the tablet flat and move in a circular motion.
  5. Once you are finished, wipe any remaining residue with a wet cloth.
How to make your oven last longer

Unfortunately, every appliance has a lifespan, which means that eventually, your oven will stop working simply because it’s old. The average life expectancy is around 12-15 years, and with the proper maintenance, you can expect to make it last as long as possible.

Here are the do’s and don’ts when it comes to extending your oven’s lifespan:

  • Do replace the oven seals when they become cracked or frayed, for this makes it harder for your appliance to maintain heat levels;
  • Do clean the oven filters (as it will increase efficiency and reduce electricity costs);
  • Do clean your oven thoroughly, at least every 6 months or use the services of professionals. Leaving burnt or baked food can cause the heating elements to work extra to maintain heat and thus burn themselves out faster;
  • Do use a Teflon liner to cover your oven’s bottom, for it will protect it from spills and make cleaning a whole lot easier;
    Don’t cover the burners or drip parts with foil. It is highly reflective, and it can melt the oven’s internal components;
  • Don’t spray the knobs when you clean them, for the cleaner can get inside electrical components and cause corrosion or shorts;

Remember, a clean oven does not only have a longer lifespan, but it also saves money from electricity bills (as it is working more efficiently). This means regular maintenance is of utmost importance when it comes to increasing your appliance’s longevity and effectiveness. And, as an added bonus, food always tastes much better when cooked in a clean oven than in a dirty one.

Conclusion

Clever marketing has tried to convince us that chemical cleaning products are the only means to get the job done. However, not only are these products expensive, but sometimes they are downright toxic. That’s why using the power of natural oven cleaning means proves to be the better option for your home.

So, the next time you clean your oven, maybe put on the rubber gloves and use one of these cleaning tricks to achieve sparkling-clean and safe results.

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