How to Clean Your Oven with in an eco-friendly way

November 08, 2024
by Brodie Cook

Ovens often get overlooked when it comes to regular cleaning. We tend to close the door and forget about the layers of grease and burnt food inside. But keeping an oven clean makes a big difference. Without leftover crumbs or spills, the cooking process is smoother, and there’s less risk of smoke or odours filling your kitchen. Built-up grease and food bits can even pose a fire risk, especially at high temperatures.

Many people turn to strong cleaners to clean a dirty oven. An oven cleaner with sodium hydroxide (lye or caustic soda), which is actually high in alkaline, is a common choice. These are synthetic oven cleaners can leave behind harmful residues, and the fumes they produce aren’t just unpleasant. These fumes can linger in the kitchen, affecting the air quality around you. They can also harm the environment when washed down the drain.

In this blog, we’ll explore ways to clean your oven effectively without harsh chemicals. We’ll show you how to tackle tough stains on your oven in an eco-friendly way.

What You’ll Need for for your dirty oven

Lucent Globe Dishwasher Sheets (for interior cleaning)
Lucent Globe Multipurpose Cleaner (for exterior surfaces)
Baking soda
White vinegar
Lemon
Microfibre cloth or sponge
Damp towel
Old toothbrush (for hard-to-reach areas)
Silicone spatula or spoon (to scrape off grime)
Gloves (optional for protection)

Lucent Globe’s Dishwasher Sheets and Multi-purpose Cleaner are great for cleaning your oven. Use the dishwasher sheets for tackling interior grime and the Multipurpose cleaner for the exterior surfaces. You’ll also need baking soda, vinegar, and lemon for deeper cleaning tasks.

Before you start, ensure the oven is cool. Wearing gloves is also a good idea, even with natural products, to keep your hands protected. With these supplies, you’re ready to clean your oven effectively without harsh chemicals.

Step-by-Step Guide to clean an Oven

Before we start, remove any removable things from the oven. Make sure it is cooled down inside the oven.

Step 1: Making the Baking Soda Paste

Mix baking soda and water to form a thick paste. Spread it across the interior surfaces, including the inside of the oven door. Avoid adding this to any of the heating elements. Use a silicone spatula or spoon to help apply it evenly also on the oven walls. Let the paste sit for a few hours, or overnight for 12 hours, to soften stubborn grime.

To create a thick baking soda paste, use a ratio of three parts baking soda to one part water. For example:

3 tablespoons of baking soda
1 tablespoon of water

The paste should be thick enough to stick to the surfaces but easy to spread.

Step 2: Using Vinegar for Activation

After the baking soda paste has set, spray white vinegar over it. This creates a foaming action that helps lift grease and residue. The foaming reaction shows it’s breaking down the grime for easier removal.

Step 3: Cleaning the Oven Interior with Lucent Globe Dishwasher Sheets

Dampen our dishwasher sheet and use it to gently wipe down all interior surfaces after the baking soda and vinegar treatment. These sheets lift any remaining residue while leaving no harsh chemicals behind. Use an old toothbrush to reach into corners and hard-to-clean areas.

After this take a clean, take a damp cloth or towel and wipe down all interior surfaces. This final pass removes any remaining residue and ensures a fresh finish.

Step 4: Soaking Oven racks and tray

Place the oven trays and racks in hot water with a dishwasher sheet. The enzymes in the sheet help break down grease and grime effectively. For extra cleaning power, add a squeeze of lemon juice to the water.

Let the trays and racks soak for at least 30 minutes to an hour. For tougher grease buildup, consider soaking them longer, even overnight if needed. After soaking, use a sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub lightly if needed.

If your oven trays or racks don’t fit in the kitchen sink, try using a bathtub or a large storage tub. This gives you enough space for a proper soak. You can even place an old towel at the bottom of the tub to protect the surface from scratches while the racks and trays soak.

Step 5: Cleaning the Oven Bottom and Top Section

Apply the baking soda paste to the bottom oven and top sections, focusing on any areas with built-up grime.

Step 6: Wiping Burners and Heating Elements

Wipe around the burners and heating elements with a damp microfiber cloth. Avoid applying paste or sprays directly to these parts to prevent damage. This light cleaning keeps the burners free from debris while protecting their function.

Step 7: Cleaning the Oven Glass

Spread a baking soda paste over the oven glass and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wipe it down with a dampened Lucent Globe Dishwasher Sheet to leave a clean, streak-free surface. Use a damp towel for any final touch-ups.

Step 8: Final Wipe-Down

Use a clean, damp cloth or microfiber towel to wipe down all interior areas of the oven. This removes any remaining residue and leaves the oven fresh and ready. Wearing gloves is optional but can keep your hands protected throughout the process.

Step 9: Cleaning the Oven Exterior with Our Multipurpose Cleaner

Spray our Multipurpose Cleaner onto the oven's exterior surfaces, including the glass door, knobs, and handles. Wipe away with a microfiber cloth to remove grease and fingerprints, leaving the outside looking polished and clean.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Oven

Wipe down the oven interior after each use once it has cooled. A quick pass with a dampened cloth in a solution of Dishwasher Sheet helps prevent buildup. This routine spot cleaning keeps grime from hardening, making deep cleans much easier.

To keep your oven cleaner for longer, consider using oven liners on the bottom rack. These liners catch spills and crumbs, reducing mess on the oven floor. Covering dishes while cooking also cuts down on splatters, keeping the interior surfaces cleaner.

Plan for a deep clean every three to six months, depending on how often you use your oven. If you use it daily, aim for every three months. For occasional use, a six-month schedule works well. This routine keeps your oven fresh and reduces the need for intensive scrubbing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid harsh cleaners like ammonia or bleach products. These products release strong fumes that can linger and are not safe for oven cleaning! They can also damage oven surfaces over time.

Conclusion

As soon as your oven is clean and dry, it’s ready to cook your food without any leftover grime or odours. Regular cleaning keeps it looking fresh and makes cooking feel a little easier.

With these simple oven cleaning hacks, you don’t need harsh chemicals. Thank you for reading and see you in my next article!