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Can you imagine your kitchen without an oven? Most would admit to going crippled without it. But despite its rampant usage; cleaning it is something that very few think of.
We tend to believe it is clean. But, in reality, it gets a lot messier and does require cleaning.
Many ovens do have a self-cleaning feature but it is super-stinky that even we would not recommend it.
Here, the oven gets into a very high-temperature setting and burns away all bits and pieces of food materials and dirt inside.
But it runs for hours and leaves your kitchen extremely hot and with a foul pungent. Once cooled, you need to clean out burnt ashes from the inside.
It also leaves your oven glass dirty. It should be used only if the oven is extra dirty and you do not wish to do any elbow work.
Instead, we strongly recommend self-cleaning it and that too without using any harsh chemicals.
Even though it requires little time and effort, cleaning the oven can be surprisingly easy with ingredients easily available in your kitchen and surroundings. We share a few simple ways with you. Check them out!
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Cleaning the Oven with Baking Soda and Vinegar
The power of the combo of baking soda and vinegar is so potent that it can give any chemical cleaners a run for their money. Additionally, both are easily available in your kitchen. The method is pretty simple.
First make a paste of baking soda and water of mashed potato consistency and spread it all over the insides of the oven and the glass.
The only care you need to take it is not to apply it to the heating elements. The paste should be left like that for at least two to three hours and preferably overnight.
Next, fill a spray bottle with equal parts of water and vinegar and spray the solution all over the baking soda paste. Foaming will start due to the chemical reaction between the baking soda and the vinegar.
It is this reaction that will remove all the burnt food, mess, and gunk from all the insides of the oven. Leave your oven like that for 30 minutes at least.
Next remove all dirt and baking soda paste from the insides with a soft cloth. You can also scrape away the few persistent stains with a rubber spatula if required. Finally, wipe away all the interiors and glass well with a damp cloth. Let it dry.
It might be noted that it does not include the oven racks. They can be easily taken out and washed in a dishwasher if compatible or just with a soapy solution and water and then left to dry.
If required, you can leave them soaked in the vinegar solution before cleaning them. They would be spotlessly clean.
Steam Clean the Oven with Vinegar
Another efficient method to clean the oven is steam cleaning. It is an ideal method to follow for your regular oven cleaning and preventing it from accumulating and significant gunk.
Now boil some water in a pot on the gas stove. About one-third would do the job. Once it is boiling, add an equal amount of vinegar to it and let it boil for another 30 seconds.
Now carefully place this hot pot inside the oven and close the door. Do not open the door for at least 60 minutes. The steam of water and vinegar solution will be absorbed by all the grease. They would become loose with it.
After an hour, open the oven door. Now clean it with some soapy solution and soft scrub. You will find all the grime coming off easily. Finally, wipe the insides with a clean damp cloth and let it dry.
Vinegar and Cornstarch Solution
This is another easy solution. Take a pot and add cornstarch and vinegar into it. Mix well. Now, heat the mixture well till it thickens. Let the mixture cool till it gets to room temperature.
Apply the mix to the oven like we applied the baking soda paste. Leave it at least for 20 to 30 minutes and more if required. Next, wipe clean with gentle scrubbing, if needed. Your oven would be sparkling clean.
Corn Starch, Lemon Juice, and Dishwasher Soap
This solution also works wonders in cleaning the insides of the oven. Prepare a mix of cornstarch, lemon juice, and dishwashing soap. Heat it to a thick consistency.
Once cooled, mix in some liquid dish soap. Apply the mixture to the insides of the oven and leave for an hour. Post it, scrub lightly if required, and wipe it clean. It would be as clean as new.
Salt
Salt is perhaps the quickest and cheapest way to clean the grime of your oven. It is a handy quick fix as well.
Sometimes while you are baking, you might find some food getting leaked on the oven during preparation. It is ideal to open the oven and sprinkle some salt on them.
Once the work of the oven is over and it has cooled down, you will find all dirt and grime getting removed easily. Cleaning will be a breeze.
Water and Lemon
It is again a terrific mixture to clean your oven. Fill a pan with water. Add the juice of two lemons to it and boil the solution well. You can even add the lemon peels to it.
Once boiled well, take the pan carefully and place it inside the oven and close it. The steam like vinegar and water solution would loosen the grime and they would easily come off when you are scrubbing with a soapy solution after 40 minutes.
All nooks and cranny can be scrubbed with an old toothbrush for best results. The rest of the cleaning procedure remains the same.
Other Methods Using Household Chemicals
Rubbing Alcohol, Water, and Dishwashing Soap
Mix together about ¼ cup of alcohol and an equal amount of water. Add 8 to 10 drops of dishwashing liquid soap to it. Stir them well and fill the solution in a spray bottle.
Now, spray the solution well in the interiors and the glass of the oven and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes. Wipe clean with plain water as usual and let dry.
Baking Soda, Salt, and Dishwashing Liquid Soap
To about 1/8 cup of baking soda and salt each, add a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid soap. Mix and prepare a smooth paste and apply it well on the insides of the oven. Clean the oven as usual after 30 minutes.
Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Dishwashing Liquid
Mix together three tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide, and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid.
Apply this mixture to the insides of the oven and leave for about 30 minutes. Wipe away all paste and dirt for a shiny sparkling oven.
Wrapping Up
As evident, it just takes a few common natural ingredients, hot water, steam time and a soak to transform your stinky oven into a clean unit that is as fresh as a daisy.
The best way would always be to tackle dirt after each use. No matter which way you choose, you will always get spectacular results! Happy cleaning!
