‘I removed caked-on stubborn oven grease with 2 items’

Cleaning an oven is a tedious task that can take a few days to complete, especially when grease has built up over time. This is even more difficult when there is thick, stubborn, caked-on grime stuck to the surfaces. However, there is a simple method that only requires two ingredients that will make the grease vanish with minimal effort.

Home editor Cambria Bold at the Kitchn revealed that she believes the previous tenants of her apartment never cleaned the oven before she moved in, and she is on a mission to make it sparkling clean. Explaining the state of her oven, Cambria shared: “There was a thick cake of grease along the sides of the oven, and my oven racks were practically black.

“There is a self-cleaning button on my oven, but I chose not to use it as I’ve heard it can damage the oven. So, it was all baking soda and elbow grease for me this time around.”

How to do the baking soda method

According to the baking soda company Arm and Hammer, baking soda is great for breaking down grease and dirt. It is slightly abrasive, so it can remove dried, stuck-on food, and it usually works within about 15 minutes.

To make a basic cleaner, mix half a cup of baking soda with three tablespoons of water to form a paste. Remove the oven racks, then spread the paste over the dirty areas, but avoid the heating elements.

Next, they suggest leaving it for 15 to 20 minutes, then wiping away the paste and loosened dirt with a wet paper towel. Finally, wipe the inside again with water or a water-vinegar mixture.

The brand warned against “traditional oven cleaners,” as they often contain chemicals such as potassium hydroxide, monoethanolamine, sodium hydroxide, and butoxydiglycol.

When cleaning with these products, homeowners are exposed to substances which can irritate the respiratory system and may cause burns to the skin, lungs, and eyes.

Cambria went on to share: “I leave [my mixture] overnight. The next evening (I clean after work!) I’ll wipe out as much of the dried paste as possible and then use water to wipe out more.

“Then, spray with vinegar to react with the rest of the baking soda (vinegar + baking soda = carbon dioxide, water, sodium acetate) and wipe that out. Viola! It works better than self-cleaning cycles from my own experience!”

She concluded, “I think this is the key to working with baking soda, especially when you clean the oven. You have to give it time to really work. I think waiting at least 12 hours or overnight is the ticket.”