DIY Oven Cleaning Hacks: Easy Tricks for a Spotless Oven

Easy DIY Oven Cleaning Hacks

Cleaning your oven can be a tedious task, but with a few easy DIY hacks, you can get it sparkling clean without harsh chemicals. Here are some effective hacks:

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Paste

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What You Need

• • • • Baking soda
      • white vinegar

How to Do it

Start by mixing ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Stir until the mixture forms a thick paste. Spread the paste generously over the oven’s interior, focusing on areas with heavy grease buildup and stubborn stains. Apply it to the oven door, walls, and bottom.

Let the paste sit overnight, or for at least 12 hours. This allows the baking soda to penetrate and loosen the grime. After the waiting period, spray white vinegar over the paste. The vinegar reacts with the baking soda, causing a fizzing action that helps break down the grease.

Once the fizzing has stopped, wipe the surfaces clean with a damp cloth. For tough spots, use a non-abrasive scrubber.

Best for

Tackling stubborn grease, baked-on food, and burnt stains. This method is ideal for heavy-duty oven cleaning.

Why it Works

Baking soda is mildly abrasive, making it perfect for scrubbing tough grease and grime without scratching the oven’s surface. Its alkaline nature helps neutralize odors and loosen baked-on food.

On the other hand, vinegar is acidic, helping to dissolve grease and mineral deposits. Together, they create a powerful natural cleaner that is safe and effective.

2. Steam Clean with Lemon

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What You Need

• • • • Lemons
      • Water

How to Do it

Slice two lemons in half and place them in an oven-safe bowl. Fill the bowl with one cup of water, ensuring the lemons are covered. The steam will help loosen grime and grease inside the oven.

Put the bowl in the oven and set the oven temperature to 250°F (120°C). Let it heat for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn off the oven and allow the steam to sit for 15 minutes. This allows the moisture to soften the grease.

After 15 minutes, open the oven door and wipe down the interior with a damp cloth to remove the loosened grime.

Best for

Light stains, minor grease, and routine cleaning. It’s perfect for fresh spills and quick clean-ups.

Why it Works

Lemon contains citric acid, which is a natural degreaser that can break down food stains and grease. Additionally, the steam generated from the heated lemon-water mixture helps loosen food particles and grease stuck to the oven’s surfaces.

This method is gentle and ideal for those looking for a natural, chemical-free way to maintain their oven.

Related: The 7 Best Oven Cleaners of 2025

3. Dish Soap and Warm Water

What You Need

• • • • Dish soap
      • warm wate

How to Do it

In a bucket or large bowl, combine warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Stir well to create soapy water. Soak a sponge or cloth in the soapy water and begin wiping down the oven’s interior surfaces, focusing on areas with grease or crumbs.

For areas with sticky or greasy residue, let the soapy water sit for a few minutes to soften the grime before scrubbing it away. After cleaning, wipe down the interior with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.

Best for

Light cleaning and routine maintenance. Ideal for quick clean-ups and daily oven upkeep.

Why it Works

Dish soap is specifically formulated to break down grease and oils, making it a perfect solution for cleaning kitchen appliances like your oven. Warm water helps to loosen dirt and food particles, while dish soap effectively cuts through grease.

4. Salt and Baking Soda for Fresh Spills

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What You Need

• • • • Salt
      • baking soda
      • Water

How to Do it

For fresh spills, immediately sprinkle salt over the spill while the oven is still warm (but not hot). Let the salt sit on the spill for a few minutes to absorb the grease or food particles.

After the oven has cooled down, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply the paste over the stained area and gently scrub with a sponge. Wipe the oven clean with a damp cloth afterward.

Best for

Immediate spills and light stains. This is a quick and efficient method for dealing with small messes.

Why it Works

Salt is an absorbent material that helps draw out moisture and grease from fresh spills. It prevents spills from hardening and makes cleaning easier. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and helps scrub away any lingering grease or stains.

The combination of salt and baking soda works as a non-toxic, effective cleaner for minor oven messes. This is a great method for quick clean-ups and light-duty cleaning.

Related: The 7 Best Dishwashers of 2025

5. Ammonia Method for Deep Cleaning

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What You Need

• • • • Ammonia
      • Water

How to Do it

Place a small bowl of ammonia inside your oven. Close the oven door and leave the bowl of ammonia in the oven overnight. The ammonia vapors will help break down grease and grime.

The following morning, open the oven door and remove the bowl. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the loosened grime and grease. Ensure the area is well-ventilated to remove any lingering ammonia fumes.

Best for

Heavy-duty cleaning and deep grease buildup. This method is perfect for ovens that have not been cleaned in a while and need intensive care.

Why it Works

Ammonia is a powerful cleaning agent that works by releasing vapors that break down tough grease and grime. The fumes penetrate and dissolve the layers of grease, making it easier to wipe away. This is an ideal solution for deep cleaning ovens that have extensive grease or food buildup

However, ammonia should only be used occasionally for heavy-duty cleaning, as it can be strong and requires proper ventilation.