Cleaning an oven can be a time-consuming and frustrating task, but there is a natural and effective method for oven grease removal using just two cheap supermarket items in around 30 minutes
Ovens are widely regarded as one of the most challenging household chores, as food grease splatters onto the interior surfaces and bakes on each time the appliance is switched on. What catches many people off guard is that heat chemically transforms grease stains, turning them into a burnt, dense, and incredibly stubborn residue.
This varnish-like consistency means water-based cleaning products are rendered virtually useless, leaving many of us resorting to harsh chemical cleaners that can sting the eyes after hours of scrubbing. Thankfully, there is a natural yet highly effective alternative that won’t break the bank or eat up your precious time.
Jules Gordon, a professional cleaner and founder of Eco Cleaning Fairies, has revealed you can deep clean an oven “with a little bit of washing up liquid and a little shake of soda crystals”.
Washing-up liquid is specially formulated to tackle stubborn food residue on dishes, harnessing the power of surfactants to lift grease from surfaces by reducing their stickiness.
Soda crystals, being highly alkaline, work by breaking down the fats and oils present in grease, rapidly softening the stains so they become far simpler to tackle.
What makes this cleaning duo so remarkable is their ability to dissolve any baked-on food residue inside your oven, allowing you to simply wipe away the grime without enduring a lengthy and exhausting scrubbing session.
Tackling oven grime doesn’t have to be a dreaded chore anymore – armed with soda crystals and washing-up liquid, you can banish stubborn stains in roughly half an hour’s work, reports the Express.
Soda crystals are typically found in the cleaning or laundry section of most supermarkets, though they might also go by the names washing soda or sodium carbonate.
How to clean your oven
You will need:
- Soda crystals
- Washing-up liquid
- Stainless steel scourers
- Cloths
- Rubbish bags
Method:
Start by filling a basin with hot water, adding a squirt of washing-up liquid along with some soda crystals. Take out any trays or racks from inside the oven. Pop smaller trays or racks into the basin and leave them to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
For larger trays and racks, sprinkle soda crystals over them, dip a scourer into soapy water and give them a gentle scrub. Next, pop them into a clean bin liner and allow them to soak for approximately 20 minutes.
It may seem unusual, but bin liners trap the moisture effectively, preventing the soda crystal solution from drying out while helping to dissolve any stubborn grime.
In the meantime, prepare a bucket with washing-up liquid, soda crystals and hot water. Dip a cloth into the mixture and use it to wipe down the oven’s interior.
Start at the top and work your way towards the bottom. Then, tackle the greasy patches with a scourer – they should come away with minimal elbow grease.
Give the oven a rinse with clean water and ensure it’s thoroughly dry before switching it back on.
Polish the oven door with a dry cloth, though some folks swear by crumpled newspaper – a time-honoured trick for achieving sparkling glass.
Take out the trays and grills from the basin or bin bags. Give them a good going-over with a scourer, and you’ll find shifting any marks becomes far simpler.
Your oven should now be gleaming and entirely free of blemishes, meaning you’ll no longer need to dread the cleaning task. Now you’re armed with the right products for the job.
