How to Clean Your Oven Without Harsh Chemicals

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You can clean your oven using baking soda, water, and white vinegar. This method lifts baked on grease without toxic fumes or strong smells. You need thirty minutes of hands on effort, plus eight hours for the paste to sit overnight.

Gather your supplies and prep the oven

Clear the space before you start mixing your solution. Pull out the oven racks, side rails, thermometer, and any baking sheets stored inside. Lay an old bath towel under the open oven door to catch drips.

Set up your work area with these simple items:

• Baking soda: one cup of plain powder
• Water: three to four tablespoons
• White vinegar: one cup in a spray bottle
• Tools: one pair of dish gloves, a rubber spatula, and a damp microfiber cloth

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Apply the paste to the oven walls

Mix your baking soda and water in a small bowl until it forms a thick paste, like wet plaster. Put on your gloves and spread the paste over all interior surfaces of the oven. Avoid the gas heating elements or electric coils at the top and bottom.

Pay extra attention to dark spots with thick grease. The paste will turn a brownish color as it absorbs the oil. Close the oven door and leave the paste alone for at least eight hours, or overnight. The long resting time breaks down the tough grease for you so you do not have to scrub hard later.

Clean the oven racks while you wait

Do not skip the racks while the oven sits overnight. Put your racks inside a clean bathtub lined with an old towel to prevent scratches. Fill the tub with warm tap water until the racks are fully covered, then add half a cup of dish soap.

Let the racks soak for four hours to loosen the black crust. Follow these steps to finish cleaning them:

• Take a non scratch sponge and wipe down each wire bar from left to right.
• Use an old toothbrush on the corners where the wires meet the frame.
• Rinse each rack with fresh water from the shower head.
• Dry the racks completely with a clean towel before putting them away.

Wipe away the dried baking soda

The next morning, open the oven door. The baking soda paste will look dry and crusty. Take a flexible rubber spatula and gently scrape off the thickest bits of dried paste into a small trash bin or bowl.

Take your damp microfiber cloth and wipe out as much paste as you can. Rinse your cloth under warm water often so you do not just smear the white powder around the black metal.

Spray vinegar for the final shine

Fill a spray bottle with plain white vinegar. Lightly mist every area where you still see white baking soda residue. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and make a quiet fizzing foam.

This foam releases the final layer of dirt. Wipe the entire inside of the oven one last time with a wet cloth until the metal is clean, smooth, and free of powder. Slide your dry racks back inside, close the door, and your oven is ready to cook your next meal.