How to make a natural oven cleaner

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Whether it’s a melting cheese pizza, a juice-dripping leg of lamb or a bubbling baked souffle, the bottom shelf of the oven knows about it. Layers upon layers of dribbling fat come here to dry, sizzling into crispy, ashy spots in the oven-hot graveyard of once-delicious food. Fortunately, it’s the food that makes it out of the oven that matters the most, and your hungry housemate only has eyes for you (and your plate!) when you've made them their favourite feast.

Whilst keeping your oven clean isn’t always top priority, it is important. But it doesn’t have to take long, and it doesn’t need to be difficult. You can also do it with a natural oven cleaner, without any harsh chemicals. So, what makes the best homemade oven cleaner? Let us give you two options, and show you how to mix and use them safely. Ready to get started? Here’s how to make the best natural oven cleaner at home.

Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda DIY oven cleaner

If you’re looking for a natural way to clean the oven, you might just have everything you need in your kitchen cupboards. If you don’t, the ingredients to make the best DIY oven cleaner are cheap and easy to get your hands on. When you want a homemade oven cleaner that’ll scrub-a-dub-dub your cooker back to its best, a combination of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can work wonders. 

Remember, it’s always a good idea to put on rubber gloves when using even the best natural oven cleaner. And always read the appliance’s manual and test any new cleaning solutions on a small area first to check for any negative reactions, whether it’s oven, hob or cooker hood and filter cleaning. The last thing you want is an explosion of vinegar (unless it’s over a hot plate of fluffy, crunchy fries, of course).

Here’s what you need to do:

1.  

   Remove trays, shelves and any grill parts and set them aside.

2.  

   Combine equal parts white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Start off with a little, as you can always create more of this easy-to-make DIY oven cleaner.

3.  

   Mix the two ingredients together with a spoon until they make a paste.

4.  

   Put on your rubber gloves, if you haven’t already. 

5.  

   Coat the oven with the paste – pay particularly close attention to any built-up grime. You may need to repeat the process on stubborn areas.

6.  

   Use a soft brush (something like an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush works well) and gently work the paste in.

7.  

   Let it sit for a good amount of time. If you can, leaving it overnight can produce fantastic results.

8.  

   Finally, make sure you wipe out the oven completely. Add a little water or a spritz of vinegar to remove any leftover paste residue.

The best natural way to clean oven parts, like the trays and grill, is to soak them in hot, soapy water and then scrub with a little paste. Rinse thoroughly and then when they’re dry you can put them back in your freshly cleaned oven, ready for your housemate’s turn to whip up your favourite meal as a big thank you for your hard work. The oven will need cleaning again straight away though… you have been warned.

Lemon-y natural oven cleaners

Using lemon is another effective, natural way to clean oven interiors. The acid in this popular citrus fruit contains anti-bacterial properties, which makes it a great cleaner, and it can cut through the congealed crusty blob of last week’s roast chicken juices too. As always with a new cleaner, check for adverse reactions by spraying on a small area first.

Here’s how to make one of the best homemade oven cleaner solutions from lemon:

1.  

   Remove the oven trays etc. and soak.

2.  

   Squeeze out the juice from two lemons. Shield all eyes within a five-metre radius!

3.  

   Mix it in a pan of water and bring to the boil.

4.  

   While it’s coming up to the bubbling stage, you can squeeze in a little washing-up liquid.

5.  

   Stir, take it off the heat, and let cool.

6.  

   Once cooled, pour your new best DIY oven cleaner into a spray bottle.

7.  

   Spray the cleaner generously over the oven interior. You can also use the solution to finish off cleaning the oven trays and grill parts, too.

8.  

   Using your brush, give the oven a good scrubbing. 

9.  

   Once you’re happy that you’ve got the oven clean you should give everything a final rinse with water, and pat dry with kitchen towel.

That’s the best natural way to clean the oven. Pick one of these two homemade oven cleaner methods, or try both, and you and your loved ones will enjoy a fragrant and ash-free cooker… and all the juicy, sloppy, meaty trimmings that come out of it! Until next week when it’s filthy again, of course!