Cleaning Your Oven Without Harsh Chemicals
When was the last time you focused on cleaning your oven? If you preheat it and start smelling the burnt remains of your previous cooking sessions, you need to get it done. Follow the steps ahead to make cleaning less of a chore while also avoiding any harsh chemicals you may be allergic to:
Get Rid of the Charred Bits
First, remove the racks and use a dry scrub brush to break up any large and obvious charred areas or loose crumbs stuck to the surface. Use the brush to gather the crumbs into a corner, then use a dustpan or vacuum cleaner to remove them.
Make Baking Soda Paste
Next up, you can create a paste made up of baking soda, water, and dish soap. Mix it up as well as you can until it’s a paste with the consistency of mashed potatoes. Depending on the size of your oven, you may need quite a bit.
Use a household sponge to cover the inside of your oven using the paste; also, pay attention to the floor, back and sides, and the oven door. Make sure you cover the entire area; the thicker a coating, the better. Focus on areas where the mess is caked on the most. Remember that you must avoid the oven vents and be careful around the oven light, as it may get hot to the touch as it stays on while you work. Once you’re done, shut the oven door and let the paste sit overnight before you move on to the next step.
Take a damp sponge and wipe away the wet paste in the morning. You will probably need to do a few passes with the clean sponge to get rid of all residue, but you will be able to get rid of a lot of gunk off the surfaces. For the more challenging spots, you should take a scrub brush and steel wool to break them down; just be extremely careful not to damage your oven’s finish, as that may create issues like rusting.
For a final pass, use a clean, wet sponge to remove any remaining residue and bring your oven back to a pristine, sparkling state. Let it air dry for a while with the door open, or you can close it and heat the oven for about 15 minutes to air out any smells.
Cleaning the Racks
You should ensure your oven racks are clean, so give them an overnight bath. Take an old towel or rag, some dish soap and dryer sheets and go to the bathtub or a large sink and cover them with soapy water. Put the old towel down to keep the tub enamel from getting scratched. Lay the racks down and cover them with hot water. Add half a cup of dish soap to the running water and sink the dryer sheets inside. Let them sit overnight before you take care of them in the morning. By then, the grime should be loose, so rub a scrub sponge or even use the wet dryer sheets over the racks; this should allow you to remove the buildup easily. Drain the tub and use the showerhead to rinse the racks to a shine, then place them in your now clean oven.
You will now have a clean oven you can enjoy; just remember to clean it at least once a month to prevent buildup in the future.
