Cleaning an oven is difficult, especially when you have just discovered that it needs to be done. It can seem daunting and confusing at first glance. The good thing about the process of cleaning your oven is that there are many different ways to do it-each with its benefits. This blog post will discuss the best way to clean your oven quickly and efficiently so that you don’t spend hours scrubbing away!
Why is a Clean Oven Important?
A clean oven is vital for many reasons. Food debris can be highly flammable, which quickly catches fire after being exposed to a spark. A dirty range can also emit an unpleasant odor and affect your family’s health by contaminating the food you eat with harmful chemicals from oil spills or other residue types such as lead paint dust (if lead-based paints were used in the home). Cleaning your over once every six months will help keep it free from dangerous buildups that could cause fires and expose those eating foods cooked in the oven to toxins.
There are many ways to clean your oven, but not all of them will thoroughly remove the buildup. Some methods may take hours or days! Here is a list of some quick and efficient techniques for cleaning out your over so that it sparkles again in no time.
For minor spills: Fill up a spray bottle with water mixed with baking soda (about two tablespoons per cup) and use this mixture as an effective alternative to harsh chemicals like ammonia which works well at removing stains made by food spills on the inside walls or bottom tray of the oven. You can also make this solution yourself by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda into one cup of water.
For larger spills: Use a homemade baking soda paste made by mixing five tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon each of liquid dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (do not use bleach, which can discolor the oven or make it smell strong). Spread this mixture over the stained area and leave it for at least an hour before scrubbing away using your hands or an abrasive sponge to remove any residue that remains after rinsing off.
For stubborn stains: The easiest way to get rid of tough stains is by boiling about two cups worth of vinegar in a pot on top of the stove until it reduces into half its original volume, leaving you with only one cupful. Pour this solution directly onto areas where there are stubborn stains and allow them to soak in overnight. You can also choose to pour the vinegar straight into your oven for a quick fix, but this may result in an unpleasant smell which is why it’s best to use just enough solution so that you have one cupful before baking over again on high heat until all of the fumes are gone.
For grease: The safest way of getting rid of oil is by using half a lemon mixed with two tablespoons each of salt and bicarbonate soda placed directly onto stained areas inside the oven where there are visible traces left behind from oil spills or other types of greasy residues. After leaving these items inside for about ten minutes, scrub away any residue with paper towels or rags dipped in warm water before rinsing with cool water and drying out your oven.
For rust: Use a mixture of cream of tartar (three tablespoons) and white vinegar (one cup) to remove stains caused by rust on the bottom tray or inside walls of the oven while also preventing new buildups from occurring in these same areas where moisture can quickly accumulate after cleaning.
What to Use to Clean an Oven?
Baking Soda and Water: Baking soda and water can be used to clean an oven—mix water with one piece of baking soda for a non-toxic cleaner that is gentle on the hands. Or, if you need immediate relief from grease or burnt food residue, try straight vinegar! Be careful, though; this method may leave your kitchen smelling like pickles (or worse).
Also, if you have a self-cleaning oven, do not use this method unless it specifically says to use water. If your manual tells you to use water to clean the inside of an over, go ahead and get that bad boy clean! Remember though: always follow the directions in your owner’s manual or on any product packaging before using them.
Vinegar: Vinegar can clean an oven. Just like baking soda, it is gentle on the hands and great for the environment. However, vinegar has a strong smell that may not disappear right after use, mainly if you use too much or don’t rinse thoroughly.
Lemon: Lemon is another great natural cleaning agent for an over. Like vinegar, it has a strong smell, but the acidity in lemons can help dissolve grease and grime. Also, like vinegar, if you don’t rinse well enough – your oven could start to smell like pickles!
Dish soap: If all else fails, try dish soap! It’s gentle on the hands and can be mixed with other cleaners without leaving residue behind. Remember that whatever cleaner you use to clean and over should not contain ammonia because this chemical will leave smelly residues inside of your stovetop and damage any rubber seals or plastic parts found underneath the glass top surface.
Gloves and Eye protection: Always wear rubber gloves and eye protection while using chemical cleaners to protect your skin and eyes from harsh chemicals. If you don’t have either of these or they aren’t enough, a mask is recommended since some ovens contain fumes that can be harmful to inhale.
What is Best to Clean an Oven?
• Clean the inside of your oven by first turning it on to warm. Doing so will help loosen any food residue stuck onto the glass panel or metal interior walls. While waiting for it to heat up, mix equal parts water and white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle, then shake well before spraying down all surfaces thoroughly. Let sit 30 minutes, then scrub with baking soda using a soft sponge or cloth since this natural ingredient won’t damage the surface but is strong enough to cut through grease buildup effectively. Rinse with more hot water after allowing baking soda paste to dry off entirely before wiping clean again with plain warm water. Be sure to wipe out any excess moisture with a clean, dry rag after it has had time to air-dry.
• Clean the outside of your oven by first wiping down all surfaces thoroughly using hot water and dish soap, then rinsing off entirely before allowing them to dry on their own. For stubborn stains that won’t come right off, apply lemon juice directly onto the affected area while wearing gloves for safety reasons. This acidic ingredient can irritate the skin if not handled correctly. After sitting for 15 minutes, scrub away tough spots with baking soda paste using a soft sponge or cloth. Natural ingredients are gentle enough for use around food preparation areas without fear of contaminating anything else afterward. Rinse again once done, then wipe down one final time with a clean, dry rag to avoid any residual sticky residue.
• Clean the oven racks next by using either a combination of baking soda and water or cream of tartar plus vinegar if tough stains are present in deep grooves that won’t come out right away. Let sit for 15 minutes, then scrub gently with a soft sponge or cloth afterward since natural ingredients can be abrasive when mixed in high concentrations, especially on metal surfaces that scratch easily. Rinse after letting paste dry off before wiping down once more with hot water to ensure all traces of harsh chemicals have been eradicated. Use this time to wipe down the exterior surface one final time before moving on to cleaning other parts properly, too, where needed (such as the outside door handles). If any residue is left behind, use a clean rag to wipe down once more before allowing them to air dry completely.
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