A woman has discovered that soda crystals are a more effective natural oven glass cleaner than the commonly recommended white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. Her find is backed by cleaning experts.
Stubborn Grease Defeats Common Remedies
Becca Dwyer shared a photo in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group showing her mother's oven glass door covered in dark brown, almost black grease. She had tried Pink Stuff paste, Elbow Grease cream, dishwasher tablets, aerial pods, baking soda, and vinegar, but nothing shifted the grime.
After a suggestion, she used soda crystals. She said: "Someone then suggested soda crystals to me, and it worked so much better than anything I've tried. It's now sparkling."
Why Vinegar and Baking Soda Fail
Specialists at Dri-Pak explained that combining bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar reduces effectiveness. They said: "One thing that isn't really the best solution, despite lots of internet tips, is to use bicarbonate of soda and then add white vinegar. The effect will be reduced because the acid white vinegar is neutralising the alkalinity of the baking soda and it's that that dissolves the grease."
They added: "Soda crystals are excellent for dissolving grease and working on stubborn, burnt-on food."
How to Use Soda Crystals
Households can make a concentrated solution or apply liquid soda crystals directly to the oven door and interior. Leave for at least 20 minutes before wiping. For stubborn spots, repeat or use dry crystals as an abrasive with a cloth.
Soda crystals are available online, for example at Big Green Smile for £2.35 or Savers for £2. Liquid soda crystals cost £2.45 at Big Green Smile and £2.99 at Ethical Superstore.
Lemons are another natural option for oven glass, with one influencer swearing by them over shop-bought cleaners.
