Cleaning appliances can be a laborious task, especially as they are often overlooked and neglected. However, keeping them clean helps maintain oven efficiency and ensures the kitchen looks sparkling.
Simple DIY Paste for Tough Grease
If you need a tough cleaning solution, cleaning guru and TikTok creator Chantel Mila, known as Mama Mila, has the answer. All you need are a few kitchen items to make a simple DIY paste.
In a bowl, combine one cup of baking soda, half a cup of washing up liquid, and a splash of water. These three ingredients create a "powerful" cleaning paste that is incredibly versatile.
Uses and Application
The paste can be used on a range of surfaces in both the kitchen and bathroom. It cuts through tough grease on ovens, hobs, sinks, and even shower glass.
Apply a thin layer of the paste to ovens with a sponge, then let it soak to break down stains, spills, and food splatters. To ensure all grease and grime are removed, Chantel uses a scraper tool to lift the paste and stubborn remnants. Clean off excess paste with water, and buff the oven glass with a microfibre cloth.
Why It Works
The paste works effectively because baking soda is an efficient grease remover due to its alkaline nature. It helps neutralise the acid in grease, making it easier to lift during cleaning. As a mild abrasive, baking soda also helps lift stubborn grease or food particles without damaging surfaces.
Pairing it with washing up liquid makes the cleaning process smoother. Washing up liquid acts as an emulsifier, binding with grease and oil stains to allow them to be rinsed away with water. It contains surfactants that are both hydrophilic (attract water) and hydrophobic (repel water and bind to oil). These surfactants attach to grease, allowing oil and water to mix and form a stable emulsion that can be washed away.
For Stubborn Marks
If your oven is particularly dirty, leave the paste on overnight. Follow with a cloth and wipe down the oven. Should stubborn marks persist, spray some white vinegar onto the stains and wipe away any remaining residue with a cloth.
