While it is true that oven cleaning is such a drag, there is hardly any way around it. Yes, you can press the button that says ‘self-cleaning’ on it and think you are done, but there is more to it. The self-cleaning feature is not something you should rely on all that often and it gets the job done only halfway. Luckily, that is not the only way to clean a greasy oven. As a matter of fact, there are numerous options out there, all of which are easy enough to try out whenever you get the time.
Consider these methods the next time you clean the oven:
- Hydrogen peroxide with baking soda – create a paste of baking soda and some hydrogen peroxide, then add a splash of dishwashing detergent. Scrub the paste and leave it to sit for a while. After that, wipe off the area. If there are any stubborn grease splatters, add some vinegar. This is a potent formula, so make sure you keep your hands safe by wearing gloves.
- Water and pumice stone – some people swear by the simple method of using plain water and pumice stone. The upside is that there will be no fumes and residue left. Be careful not to rub too vigorously, or you risk damaging the oven.
- Ammonia and garbage bags – if the oven racks are heavily soiled, you may need to bust out the heavy artillery in the face of ammonia. Fill a big garbage bag with ammonia and water and throw the racks in. Let them soak for an hour or so and then thoroughly rinse them. You will find them clean and shiny.
- Boiling water – if you are no fan of using strong chemicals in your oven, you can use the power of steam. Bring an oven-safe bowl of water to boil and place it in the oven. The steam from the water will soften the grease and other spoils inside, making wiping a piece of cake. No chemicals needed; just plain water, a sponge/cloth and some elbow grease.
- Ammonia – ammonia is quite potent and can clean your oven well. Fill a bowl and leave it in the oven overnight. It serves to soften the accumulated gunk and make it easy to wipe with a clean cloth. Remember to ventilate the place, as ammonia vapours can make you dizzy.
- Baking soda and vinegar – baking soda and vinegar work well to remove stains and greasy build-up in your oven. Make a paste with baking soda and apply it in the oven. Let it sit overnight and then wipe clean the next morning.
- Bathroom cleaner – this one may sound strange, but foam bathroom cleaner works on cleaning the oven nicely. The benefit is that it saves you the dangerous fumes of oven cleaners. Just spray and leave it there for a few hours before wiping clean with water. You will be happy with the outcome.
As you can see, there are more than a few reliable ways to clean your oven. Just test a few of them and see what works best. You will find the chore more manageable then.