How to Clean an Oven Without Chemicals: 5 Safe Methods

5 Safe Methods to Clean an Oven Without Chemicals

Cleaning an oven without chemicals can be both effective and safe for your health. Here are five safe, natural methods to clean your oven:

1. Baking Soda and Water Paste

Credit: Pinterest/@thekitchn

Ingredients

• • • • Baking soda
      • Water

How to Make

Start by measuring out 1/2 cup of baking soda, which is a natural, non-toxic substance with mild abrasive properties that work well for cleaning. Place the baking soda in a small mixing bowl.

Gradually add a few tablespoons of water to the baking soda while stirring continuously. You want to add enough water to form a thick, spreadable paste, but not so much that it becomes runny.

If the paste feels too thick, you can slowly add a little more water until it reaches a consistency that can be easily spread on the oven’s surface without dripping.

The paste should be thick enough to adhere to the oven’s walls and stains, allowing the baking soda to work effectively in lifting grease and grime.

Best for

Removing stubborn grease, baked-on food, and general grime in the oven.

Why it Works

Baking soda has natural abrasive properties that help to scrub away grease and food particles without damaging the oven’s surface. It also neutralizes odors and absorbs moisture, making it perfect for lifting baked-on grime.

2. Vinegar and Water Spray

Credit: Pinterest/@ohsotif

Ingredients

• • • • White vinegar
      • Water

How to Make

Begin by taking a clean spray bottle—preferably a bottle that has been emptied and washed if it’s been used for other products. Measure out equal parts of white vinegar and water.

A good starting point is to use 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water, although you can adjust this based on the size of your bottle or how much cleaning solution you need. Pour both the vinegar and water into the bottle and screw the cap on tightly.

Shake the bottle to ensure the two ingredients are mixed thoroughly. White vinegar is naturally acidic, making it an effective degreaser and disinfectant, and when mixed with water, it creates a solution that is strong enough to break down grease but gentle enough to not damage your oven’s surface.

The solution also helps neutralize odors and leaves a fresh, clean scent once wiped down.

Best for

Degreasing, disinfecting, and odor neutralization.

Why it Works

Vinegar is naturally acidic, which helps break down grease, oil, and grime. When mixed with water, it creates a mild yet effective cleaning solution that’s strong enough to clean while still gentle on oven surfaces. It also neutralizes odors and leaves the oven with a fresh scent after cleaning.

Related: The 7 Best Oven Cleaners

3. Steam Cleaning with Water

Ingredients

• • • • Water
      • Lemon juice
      • Vinegar

How to Make

For steam cleaning, you’ll need an oven-safe dish or bowl that can withstand high temperatures, such as a glass or ceramic baking dish. Fill the dish with 1-2 cups of water—enough to produce steam, but not so much that it overflows.

If you want to enhance the cleaning power, you can add a tablespoon or two of lemon juice or a small amount of vinegar to the water. Both lemon juice and vinegar are natural degreasers, and they will add extra cleaning and deodorizing properties.

Once your dish is filled with water (and optionally lemon or vinegar), place it on the middle or bottom rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C) and let the water heat for about 30 minutes. During this time, the water will begin to evaporate, creating steam inside the oven.

The steam helps to loosen stuck-on food particles, grease, and grime, making it much easier to wipe everything down with a cloth or sponge once the oven cools.

Best for

Loosening grease, baked-on food, and general dirt from oven surfaces.

Why it Works

The steam produced by the heated water helps to loosen dirt and grease that may have built up over time. The lemon and vinegar act as natural degreasers, making it easier to wipe off grime and giving the oven a fresh scent.

4. Lemon and Water Solution

Credit: Pinterest/@dythilalkaraca

Ingredients

• • • • Water
      • Lemons.

How to Make

Take a small to medium oven-safe dish, like a glass bowl, and fill it with 1-2 cups of water, depending on the size of your oven. The more water you add, the more steam it will produce. Next, squeeze the juice from 1-2 lemons into the water.

You can use a juicer or simply squeeze the lemons by hand. After squeezing, drop the lemon halves into the water as well. The acid in the lemon juice is an excellent natural cleaner and, when combined with the steam from the heated water, helps break down grease, grime, and baked-on food.

Lemon also has a pleasant, fresh scent that helps to neutralize any odors in the oven. Place the dish with the lemon and water mixture into the oven and preheat to 250°F (121°C).

Let it sit in the oven for about 30 minutes, allowing the water to heat up and produce steam. Once the oven cools slightly, you can remove the dish and use a cloth or sponge to wipe the oven’s interior clean.

Best for

Cutting through grease, deodorizing, and refreshing the oven.

Why it Works

The acidity in lemon juice is a natural grease cutter, and the steam created by the heated water helps soften and lift stubborn dirt. Lemons also have antibacterial properties and a pleasant fragrance, making this a dual-purpose solution that cleans and deodorizes simultaneously.

5. Salt and Baking Soda Paste

Credit: Pinterest/@wordpressdotcom

Ingredients

• • • • Salt
      • baking soda
      • Water

How to Make

In a small mixing bowl, combine equal parts salt and baking soda—approximately 1/4 cup each. The salt provides a slightly abrasive texture that helps scrub away stubborn grease, while the baking soda acts as a mild abrasive and deodorizer.

Stir the two dry ingredients together to ensure they are evenly mixed. Gradually add a few drops of water to the mixture, mixing as you go, until a paste forms.

You may need to add more or less water depending on the consistency you prefer, but aim for a thick paste that won’t run when applied to surfaces. The paste should be spreadable, allowing you to apply it to stains and greasy spots inside the oven.

This mixture is ideal for tough, baked-on food and grime. The salt’s abrasiveness helps with scrubbing without damaging surfaces, while the baking soda helps neutralize odors and break down grease.

Best for

Scrubbing tough grease, baked-on food, and sticky residue in the oven.

Why it Works

The coarse texture of salt provides a natural abrasive action that helps scrub off tough grease and food without scratching surfaces. Combined with baking soda, which is known for its deodorizing and cleaning properties, the paste makes it easier to tackle sticky, stubborn grime.

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