Ovens are among the hardest-working appliances in any kitchen, which means they are prone to harbouring bacteria – yet keeping them spotless can feel like an uphill battle. Stubborn brown marks or blackened, burnt-on residue inside the oven are frustrating evidence that spilt food has become baked onto the surface and refuses to shift no matter how much elbow grease you apply.
The reason oven grime proves so tricky to tackle is that heat transforms grease into a hardened, sticky film that adheres stubbornly to surfaces and resists water-based solutions, rendering many conventional cleaning products useless. Anyone who has tackled oven cleaning will likely recall donning rubber gloves and battling with harsh chemical cleaners that sting the eyes.
The baking soda method
Samira Kazan, a cook and founder of Alpha Foodie, has revealed she has discovered a "simple, non-laborious method" for getting ovens gleaming without resorting to harsh chemicals – and the secret weapon is nothing more than bicarbonate of soda.
Samira said: "Luckily, when I moved from London a few months ago, I made a vow that I'd keep on top of the oven situation (and the microwave cleaning too) without having to resort to scary chemical-laden oven cleaners or noxious gases. For that reason, I researched and experimented and learned how to clean an oven with baking soda that works every single time!"
Why baking soda works
It may sound almost too straightforward, but bicarbonate of soda deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen cupboard, as its mildly alkaline properties mean it can cut through grease effectively. Bicarbonate of soda works wonders at breaking down stubborn, greasy build-up and loosening burnt-on food, making marks far simpler to shift without resorting to aggressive chemical cleaners.
Pairing with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
Grease tends to act as an adhesive, trapping crumbs, dirt, food particles and bacteria, so it is often wise to combine bicarbonate of soda with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to ensure you eliminate all the muck thoroughly.
White vinegar offers the most natural approach to oven cleaning and when combined with bicarbonate of soda it produces a fizzing reaction that helps lift stains, making them simpler to wipe clean. Hydrogen peroxide works as an oxidising agent, meaning it is a mild cleaning solution capable of breaking down residue in grease with minimal scrubbing required.
It is important to note that while either white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can be used for oven cleaning, never combine the two, as this produces peracetic acid – a harmful gas that is dangerous to inhale.
How to clean your oven with ease
Start by taking out any baking trays or wire shelves from the oven, then pop them in a sink filled with hot, soapy water. Allow them to soak for about an hour before drying them off.
Combine one part bicarbonate of soda with two parts water in a small bowl until you have got a thick paste, then spread this mixture around the interior of your oven. Focus particularly on any burnt or grimy-looking areas, but steer clear of the heating elements.
Baking soda requires sufficient time to cut through grease, so allow the paste to sit in the oven for a minimum of one hour, though leaving it overnight will yield far better results.
Next, moisten a sponge or cloth and wipe away the baking soda paste. Clear away as much of the residue as you can, then spritz the oven with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. This will cause the remaining baking soda residue to fizz up, helping to shift any stubborn grime that is still lurking inside the oven.
Give the oven a final rinse, then buff it dry with a fresh cloth or sponge, and you should be left with a gleaming oven - all without a single bit of elbow grease required.
