Cleaning expert and TikTok creator Chantel Mila has shared her preferred technique for tackling persistent oven grime. In a recent video, she revealed a DIY oven glass cleaner that relies on just two everyday kitchen staples: bicarbonate of soda and washing-up liquid.
How to make the paste
Mix the bicarbonate of soda and washing-up liquid together to form a smooth paste. A dash of water can be added if the paste proves too thick. Alternatively, squirt the washing-up liquid directly onto the oven door, then sprinkle a generous amount of bicarbonate of soda.
Use the abrasive side of a sponge to work it into a paste until it forms a nice foam. Leave the solution to sit for a few minutes to break down the baked-on grease and grime.
Why it works
Finally, wipe away the paste and loosen any remaining grime with a clean sponge or cloth. Chantel said: "Baking soda helps scrub the grime, while the dish soap cuts through the grease."
Bicarbonate of soda is an excellent ingredient for tackling grease due to its alkaline properties, which help neutralise the acid found in grease, making it far easier to lift away. As a mild abrasive, it also helps dislodge stubborn grease or food particles without causing surface damage.
Application tips
This homemade paste can equally be applied to the inside of the oven. For particularly persistent food stains and marks, leave the paste on the oven overnight. In the morning, take a cloth and wipe down the oven, paying close attention to any stubborn spots that may still have grime clinging to them.
Combining it with washing-up liquid makes the entire cleaning process considerably more effective. Acting as an emulsifier, washing-up liquid helps bind grease and oil stains together, enabling them to be rinsed away with water. Washing-up liquids contain surfactants that are both hydrophilic — attracting water — and hydrophobic — repelling water while binding to oil. These surfactants latch onto grease, enabling oil and water to mix and form a stable emulsion that can subsequently be washed away.
