I don’t even think about cleaning my dirty oven anymore: a friend showed me this trick and now it’s like new, effortlessly!

How to Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda and Vinegar: Step-by-Step

What you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Water
• A spray bottle
• A soft cloth or sponge
• Rubber gloves (optional, for protecting your hands)

Step 1: Empty the Oven Before you begin, make sure your oven is completely cool and free of any cookware, racks, or pans. You’ll want a clean, empty oven to work with.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda Paste In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Stir until you get a thick paste. The consistency should be spreadable but not too runny.

Step 3: Apply the Paste Using a cloth or your hands (wear gloves if preferred), spread the baking soda paste over the dirty areas of your oven. Focus on spots that have the most grime or baked-on food. Be generous with the paste, especially on tough stains or grease.

Step 4: Let It Sit Allow the baking soda paste to sit in the oven for at least 12 hours or overnight. The paste needs time to work its magic—softening the grease and breaking down the grime. If you’re in a hurry, even just 30 minutes can make a difference.

Step 5: Clean the Oven Racks While the paste is sitting inside the oven, you can clean your oven racks. Soak them in a bathtub or large sink with warm water and a little bit of dish soap. After about 15 minutes, scrub them with a sponge to remove built-up grease and food particles. Rinse them thoroughly and set them aside to dry.

Step 6: Scrub Away the Paste After the baking soda has had time to work, it’s time to get scrubbing! Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the paste. You’ll notice that most of the grease and grime will come off effortlessly. For tough spots, you can use a gentle scrub brush or a plastic scraper to lift any remaining residue.

Step 7: Spray with Vinegar Next, grab your spray bottle and fill it with vinegar (you can mix it with a little water if you prefer). Spray the vinegar generously over the areas where you applied the baking soda paste. When the vinegar hits the baking soda, it will start to fizz and bubble—this helps lift any last bits of grime.

Step 8: Wipe Clean Once the fizzing has stopped, use a damp cloth to wipe down the oven again. This will remove the remaining baking soda-vinegar mixture along with any lingering dirt. You might need to rinse your cloth a few times as you wipe down the oven.

Step 9: Dry and Replace Racks Finally, dry the inside of your oven with a clean towel and return your freshly cleaned oven racks. Your oven should now be sparkling clean and ready for use!

Bonus Tips for a Cleaner Oven

• Regular Maintenance: To prevent heavy buildup, consider using this method once every month or so. This will keep your oven in top shape without needing deep cleaning every time.
• Stubborn Stains: If you still have some stubborn spots, you can sprinkle more baking soda directly onto the stain and then spray it with vinegar. Let it sit for a little longer and then scrub away.
• For the Oven Door: Don’t forget the oven door! The glass can get greasy too. You can use the same baking soda paste on the door, but make sure to wipe it off thoroughly. For extra shine, finish by buffing with a soft cloth.
• Natural Fragrance: If you want to leave your kitchen smelling fresh, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (like lemon or lavender) to the vinegar before spraying it on the oven.

Why This Trick Is So Effective

1. Non-Toxic: Unlike many store-bought oven cleaners that contain harsh chemicals, this method uses natural ingredients, making it safer for your family and the environment.
2. Effortless: The bubbling reaction between baking soda and vinegar does most of the hard work for you, which means less scrubbing and more time saved.
3. Affordable: Baking soda and vinegar are incredibly inexpensive and often already in your pantry, so this cleaning solution won’t break the bank.
4. No Fumes: Many commercial oven cleaners produce strong, unpleasant fumes. With this method, you don’t have to worry about inhaling harmful chemicals.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your oven doesn’t have to be a dreaded task anymore. Thanks to this simple yet effective trick using baking soda and vinegar, you can keep your oven sparkling clean with minimal effort. It’s natural, inexpensive, and works wonders on even the most stubborn grime. Say goodbye to expensive and toxic cleaners, and give this method a try—you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly your oven becomes like new again!