Clean your oven with these household products

Cleaning the oven is a task that is often postponed. Yet a clean oven is essential for hygienic cooking and preserving the taste of your dishes. In this article, we share the most effective yet environmentally friendly methods for thoroughly cleaning your oven, so it looks just like it did on the first day you bought it!

Cleaning the oven: why is it so important?

A dirty oven can not only affect the taste of your dishes, but also become a breeding ground for bacteria. In addition, grease buildup can create a fire hazard. Did you know that one of the most common causes of oven fires is the buildup of grease and food residue? This dirt can ignite while the oven is in use due to the high temperature inside. That is why cleaning the oven thoroughly is so important. 

 

How often should you clean your oven?

Daily cleaning

After each use, it is advisable to clean up crumbs and spilled food immediately so they do not burn and damage your oven.

Weekly cleaning

It is a good idea to lightly clean the oven rack and interior walls every week, especially if you use the oven frequently.

Monthly cleaning

The oven, including the oven floor and racks, should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a month.

1. Start by preparing the oven

Before you start cleaning the oven, it is important to have the right supplies on hand. For effective cleaning, you need the following items:

• Rubber gloves: to protect your hands from cleaning products and dirt
• Sponges and microfiber cloths: for thoroughly cleaning and drying the oven
• Baking soda and lemon: a mild abrasive that helps remove stubborn stains
• Vinegar: helps break down grease and disinfects in an environmentally friendly way
• A spray bottle: for applying vinegar or a homemade cleaning solution
• A steam cleaner: by far the most effective household helper for cleaning the oven. Don't have one at home yet? View our collection of steam cleaners.

 

2. Making a baking soda cleaning paste

Make a natural cleaning solution by making a paste from baking soda and water. This paste is gentle but effective at removing grease and baked-on food. The advantage is that it is environmentally friendly and inexpensive!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon of water (or more, if needed)

3. Applying the paste

• Apply the baking soda paste to the inside of the oven. Make sure to apply thick layers to stubborn stains.
• Leave the paste to soak in for at least 12 hours. This gives the baking soda time to loosen the grease and dirt.

4. Remove the cleaning paste

• Use a damp cloth to wipe away the paste. If necessary, you can use the brushes of a steam cleaner. Don't have a steam cleaner? Try using a powerful sponge instead.
• Wipe the oven with vinegar afterward. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray it over the inside of the oven. This will react with the remaining baking soda and make it easier to wipe clean.

5. Cleaning the oven racks and baking trays

• Soak the racks in warm water with a little dish soap. After soaking, use a sponge or brush to remove the remaining grease and dirt.
• Dry the racks thoroughly before placing them back in the oven. 

6. The final check: the oven sparkling clean again

• Check whether the oven is clean by looking for any remaining stains and wiping them again if necessary.

Make sure you thoroughly wipe away all cleaning product residue.

Set the oven to a low temperature for about 15 minutes to ensure that all the moisture evaporates.

 

3. More tips for cleaning your oven 

Cleaning the oven with lemon
Lemon juice is a true all-purpose household cleaner. It helps loosen grease stains and gives your oven a fresh scent. Sprinkle some baking soda on the stains to be cleaned and use half a lemon as a kind of sponge. The acid combined with the baking soda easily removes stains.

You can also choose to turn it into a spray. So how do you clean your oven with a lemon spray? Follow the steps below to clean your oven with this effective solution.

1. Halve a lemon and squeeze out the juice.
2. Mix the lemon juice with an equal amount of water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
3. Spray the mixture generously onto the soiled areas in the oven and let it sit for several hours.
4. Wipe the oven clean with a damp cloth or sponge. After these simple steps, your oven will not only be clean but also smell wonderfully fresh.

Use salt for fresh stains: Just spilled something? Sprinkle salt over spilled liquids or food scraps while the oven is still warm. The salt absorbs moisture and prevents the stain from becoming stubborn.

 

Cleaning the oven with vinegar:
Vinegar is a versatile product that is ideal for cleaning the oven. Thanks to its acidic properties, it effectively dissolves both grease and dirt. Vinegar is also useful for removing limescale and neutralizing unpleasant odors.

How does cleaning with vinegar work?

Follow the steps below to clean your oven effectively with vinegar. Be careful not to use too much vinegar, as its smell lingers for a long time.

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture generously over the dirty areas in the oven and leave it to work for a few hours.
3. Wipe the oven clean with a damp cloth.
4. Repeat if necessary for stubborn stains.
   
   

Common mistakes when cleaning your oven

Using harsh chemicals

Harsh chemicals can damage the oven and harm your health. Preferably use mild cleaning products and ensure good ventilation while cleaning.

Forgetting to rinse the oven properly

If you do not rinse cleaning products properly, they can release fumes while cooking. Make sure you thoroughly wipe away all cleaning product residue.

Cleaning an oven with a steam cleaner

A steam cleaner is probably the best way to thoroughly clean your oven without chemical cleaning products. Using high-pressure steam breaks down grease and dirt, even in the hardest-to-reach places. Steam also provides thorough disinfection, making the oven not only clean but also hygienic. To use the steam cleaner, direct the steam at the dirty surfaces, then wipe away the loosened dirt with a cloth. This makes the steam cleaner not only eco-friendly but also highly efficient.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. How long does it take to clean an oven?

The time needed to clean your oven depends on how dirty it is. On average, it takes between 30 minutes and an hour.

2. Are there special oven cleaners?

Yes, there are many specially designed oven cleaners that can be more effective at removing stubborn dirt. However, it is better to start with less aggressive solutions, such as those discussed above. 

3. How can I prevent my oven from getting dirty again so quickly?

Use oven mats or baking trays to minimize spills, and clean up crumbs and stains immediately after use to prevent them from burning. Also, always wipe the oven with a cloth after use.

4. What if the solutions mentioned above do not help?

Then you are probably dealing with a very dirty oven. Cleaning the oven with household products is effective, but only up to a certain point. If you have very stubborn buildup that you cannot remove with our products, you can always use a steam cleaner or a special bottle of oven cleaner. 

Conclusion: cleaning an oven is quick and easy

By carrying out regular maintenance and thorough cleaning, you ensure that your oven not only lasts longer but also operates more safely and efficiently. These eco-friendly and simple tips make cleaning your oven easy. For the best results, use a steam cleaner. The hot steam easily loosens grease and dirt without the need for chemical products.