Gloved hand cleaning oven with sponge

Get A Squeaky Clean Oven Using Baking Soda

NEWS

By Jessica Santina

Person opening baking soda container
Cleaning ovens is probably one of the most dreaded household tasks, but you can do it effectively and easily using a kitchen staple that's affordable and non-toxic: baking soda.
Bowls of baking soda and water
Baking soda is alkaline with a pH of about 9, while the baked-on food and grease in the oven are mostly acidic. So, it neutralizes baked-on residue, ensuring easy cleaning.
Baking soda in a cup
Start by making a paste of baking soda and water, mixing them in a ratio of 3 to 1, or using 1/2 cup baking soda to 3 tablespoons of water. Next, remove the oven racks.
A person cleaning oven
Unless you have aluminum racks, which will be oxidized by baking soda, use a sponge to scour the racks, or soak them in soapy water for a few hours. Then, apply the paste.
A person cleaning oven
Using a sponge or even a paintbrush, apply the paste to the inside of the oven, including all metal and glass surfaces. Avoid lights, heating elements, wires, or openings.
A person cleaning oven
Let it sit overnight, or 12 to 24 hours. Next day, use a spatula, scraper, or wet paper towels to remove the hardened paste, then clean any remaining streaks with a damp towel.