There’s good news for those struggling with stubborn grime in your oven? Before resorting to harsh chemicals, consider using natural, eco-friendly solutions that offer effective results with minimal effort. Here’s a guide to help you make your oven gleam.
Prolonged residue can emit harmful fumes which, besides producing an unpleasant burnt odor, can also distort the natural flavors of your dishes. So, it’s essential to maintain a clean oven.
How Often and How to Clean Your Oven
Typically, you should clean an oven weekly. Seasoned homemakers often rely on a nifty steam method to swiftly and efficiently eradicate dirt and grease splatters.
Vinegar Steam Cleaning Method
You don’t need to purchase commercial products because the solution is in your kitchen cabinet! White vinegar, known for its grease-cutting, sanitizing, and odor-neutralizing abilities, is a great oven cleaner. To utilize:
Mix water with vinegar and bring to boil.
Pour into an oven-safe dish and place it in the oven preheated to 180°C (350°F).
After around 30 minutes, open your oven to let it air out.
The steam will loosen up the grime, making it easier to scrub off using an abrasive sponge. For finishing touches, wipe down with a cloth drenched in vinegar.
Lemon Juice Steam Cleaning Method
Lemon is another handy natural cleaner. Its cleaning and de-staining properties can leave your oven gleaming and smelling fresh.
Dampen oven surfaces using a sponge soaked in lemon juice.
Place a bowl filled with lemon juice inside the oven and heat it to 250°C (480°F) for approximately 30 minutes.
Once cooled, scrub away the dirt with a sponge and rinse with a fresh damp cloth.
Other Handy Oven Cleaning Tips
In addition to the steam cleaning methods, there are various other tricks to refresh your oven. Here’s a glimpse.
Baking Soda Method:
Start by removing the oven racks.
Create a paste using ½ cup of baking soda and a bit of water.
Apply the paste generously, focusing on heavily soiled areas.
Leave it overnight and then wipe with a damp cloth the next day. If needed, use a spatula for hardened spots.
For a pristine finish, spritz some vinegar and give it one last wipe.
Newspaper Cleaning Technique:
If you have some old newspapers lying around, put them to good use.
Crumple a newspaper page into a ball.
Dampen it slightly and scrub the oven surfaces to clear off splatters and residue.
For tougher spots, moisten another page and repeat.
Last but not least, don’t forget the oven’s exterior. The mentioned methods work wonders for the door and glass too.
Note: As always, individual results might vary, so always test in a small section before a full application.
