Homemade Oven Cleaner: 5 Easy Recipes for a Deep Clean

5 Easy Recipes to Make Homemade Oven Cleaner

Cleaning your oven is one of the most important yet daunting kitchen tasks. Here are five easy recipes that you can make at home to keep your oven spotless:

1. Baking Soda and Water Paste

Credit: Pinterest/@apttherapy

Ingredients

• • • • 1/2 cup baking soda
      • 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

One of the most effective homemade oven cleaners is a simple baking soda and water paste. To create this cleaner, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it forms a thick paste. Baking soda is a natural abrasive, which makes it highly effective for scrubbing away tough, baked-on grease and grime.

To use this cleaner, remove the oven racks and apply the paste to the interior surfaces of your oven. Make sure to cover the areas with the most grease build-up, such as the bottom and sides. Let the paste sit for at least 12 hours or overnight.

Once the paste has dried, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the baking soda, taking the grime with it. For tougher stains, you may need to scrub gently before rinsing.

Best for

This baking soda and water paste is ideal for deep-cleaning ovens with heavy, baked-on grease. It’s a safe, non-toxic alternative to chemical cleaners and perfect for removing stubborn grease and food particles.

Why it Works

Baking soda is highly effective due to its natural abrasive properties. When combined with water, it forms a paste that can easily lift and remove even the toughest stains without damaging the oven’s surface. The longer it sits, the more time it has to work on breaking down grime.

2. Vinegar and Baking Soda Spray

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Ingredients

• • • • 1/2 cup baking soda
      • 1/4 cup white vinegar
      • Water
      • Spray bottle

Instructions

A powerful combination for oven cleaning is vinegar and baking soda, two common household items known for their natural cleaning properties. To make this cleaner, sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda across the bottom of your oven.

Then, fill a spray bottle with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and water. Spray the vinegar solution over the baking soda, focusing on the areas with heavy grease and stains.

Once sprayed, the mixture will start to foam, breaking down grease and grime. Let the foam sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing the oven with a sponge or soft brush. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth to remove any residue. For particularly stubborn spots, you can repeat the process.

Best for

This vinegar and baking soda spray is perfect for ovens with moderate grease build-up. It’s also a great option for those looking for a natural oven cleaner that is safe and eco-friendly.

Why it Works

The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar causes foaming, which breaks down grease and grime more effectively than scrubbing alone. Vinegar’s acidic properties also help to disinfect and deodorize, leaving your oven clean and smelling fresh.

Related: The 7 Best Oven Cleaners of 2024

3. Lemon Juice and Salt Scrub

Credit: Pinterest/@ispyplumpie/

Ingredients

• • • • 2 lemons
      • 1/4 cup salt
      • Water

Instructions

Lemons contain natural acids that cut through grease, making them a great choice for a homemade oven cleaner. To create this scrub, squeeze the juice from 2 lemons into a bowl and add 1/4 cup of salt. Mix the ingredients into a thick paste, adding a little water if needed to get the right consistency.

Spread the lemon and salt paste over the dirty areas of your oven, focusing on greasy spots and food splatters. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the lemon’s natural acids to break down the grease. Scrub the oven with a sponge or brush, using circular motions to lift the grime. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth.

Best for

This lemon juice and salt scrub is great for light to moderate grease build-up. It’s particularly useful for removing recent food splatters and adding a fresh scent to your oven.

Why it Works

Lemon juice has natural degreasing properties due to its high citric acid content, while salt serves as a natural abrasive. Together, they effectively cut through grease and grime, leaving your oven clean and fresh-smelling.

4. Castile Soap and Baking Soda Cleaner

Ingredients

• • • • 1/4 cup Castile soap
      • 1/2 cup baking soda
      • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

Castile soap is a versatile and eco-friendly cleaning ingredient that can be used to clean various surfaces, including your oven. For this recipe, mix 1/4 cup of Castile soap with 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water to create a paste.

Apply the paste to the inside of your oven, paying close attention to areas with baked-on grease and spills. Let the cleaner sit for 30 minutes to give the baking soda and soap time to break down the grime. Afterward, scrub the oven with a sponge or cloth, then wipe it clean with a damp towel.

Best for

This Castile soap and baking soda cleaner is ideal for regular oven maintenance. It’s particularly well-suited for people who prefer using natural, non-toxic products for cleaning.

Why it Works

Castile soap is effective at cutting through grease while being gentle on surfaces. Combined with baking soda, it provides mild abrasive action to help remove grime without damaging the oven’s surface.

Related: The 7 Best Portable Dishwashers of 2024

5. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Paste

Ingredients

• • • • 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
      • 1/2 cup baking soda

Instructions

For a stronger oven cleaner that tackles stubborn, baked-on grease, a combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is your go-to option. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant and works well with baking soda to lift grime.

Mix 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 cup of baking soda to form a thick paste. Spread the paste over the dirty areas of your oven, concentrating on heavily soiled spots.

Let the paste sit for at least 1 hour to give the ingredients time to break down the grease. After the paste has dried, scrub the area with a sponge or brush, then wipe away the residue with a damp cloth.

Best for

This hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste is best for deep cleaning and tackling heavily soiled ovens. It’s especially useful for removing stubborn, baked-on food and grease stains.

Why it Works

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant that helps loosen tough stains, while baking soda provides the abrasive action needed to scrub away grime. This combination is perfect for deep cleaning without using harsh chemicals.