Cleaning influencer Sophie Hinchliffe, better known to her 4.8 million Instagram followers as Mrs Hinch, has offered a refreshingly honest take on one of the most dreaded household chores. In a recent interview, she confessed that she does not enjoy cleaning the oven, offering reassurance to anyone who has been putting off the task.
Mrs Hinch's 'Genuine' Confession & Simple Solution
Speaking to The Sunday Times Magazine, Mrs Hinch offered a relatable perspective for the new year. "I don't enjoy oven cleans: it's OK to say you just haven't had the time," she stated. Her primary recommendation for managing the mess is straightforward: oven liners.
She explained that placing a liner at the bottom of your oven catches any spillages and prevents baked-on 'fall-out'. "They're a godsend — you whip them out, wash them and put them back in, eliminating the need for a deep clean," she said. The social media star also advised against harsh chemical cleaners, preferring gentler methods for the oven door, such as a simple paste made from bicarbonate of soda and washing-up liquid.
Professional Cleaner Shares Three Scrub-Free Hacks
In related advice, professional cleaning firm The Clean Group recently demonstrated several powerful, scrub-free techniques on TikTok. The cleaner, who described them as "hacks I learned as a professional cleaner," shared three key methods.
Firstly, for greasy oven door seals, she placed the seal in a bowl, poured boiling water over it, and added a dishwasher tablet to dissolve the grime. Secondly, for oven racks, she suggested wrapping them in foil and heating them in the oven at a low temperature (around 100°C) for 15 minutes. This softens hardened residue, allowing it to be wiped away with a tea towel with "absolutely zero scrubbing required".
The Ultimate 'Stackable' Chore
The third professional tip is a classic steam-clean method. "Filling a baking tray with water and lemons. Put it in the oven for 45 minutes at a high heat is the ultimate stackable chore," the cleaner explained. The steam helps to loosen grime from the oven's interior, while the lemons add a fresh scent. Remarkably, this also cleans the baking tray itself. When asked about the temperature, she recommended about 225°C, or enough to make the water boil vigorously.
Between Mrs Hinch's practical liner advice and the professional's chemical-free techniques, tackling oven cleaning in January feels a little less daunting. The key takeaway is that with a few clever preventative measures and simple hacks, the arduous deep clean can often be avoided altogether.
