It is recommended to keep your oven clean to avoid the unpleasant smells that come with its self-cleaning function. Removing the dried leftovers from the oven walls is also smart to prevent them from burning off. These charred, baked-on residues may release carcinogenic substances into the air during combustion. Breathing in these harmful fumes can be a health hazard. Furthermore, commercial oven cleaners contain some of the most dangerous chemicals available.
So, what's the alternative? A homemade oven cleaner! Making your own oven cleaner is certainly a safer choice. It's cost-effective, just as or more efficient than commercial cleaners, and easy to use.
The Risks of Commercial Oven Cleaners
The difficulty of removing oven residue is significant, leading many to select powerful commercial oven cleaners. They assume that the stronger the cleaner, the less effort will be needed to remove all the grime.
Yet, choosing a solution filled with chemicals instead of manual cleaning might not be the best decision.
Ordinary household cleaners, including air fresheners, are laden with hazardous chemicals that can disrupt hormonal, immune, and neural functions.
Particularly, oven cleaners present a serious hazard, says Samara Geller, a senior researcher at the Environmental Working Group. The problem lies in the ingredients of these cleaners.
"The warnings on the labels indicate the presence of potent chemicals," Geller remarked. "One should think carefully before using them."
Some labels even recommend the use of gloves and masks.
"The ingredients are very strong and can be caustic and corrosive," Geller added. "They can burn the skin and eyes, lead to blindness, and eat away at the respiratory system. The vapors can irritate the lungs and could trigger or worsen asthma attacks. Several of these chemicals are suspected asthma triggers."
Harmful chemicals in oven cleaners include butoxydiglycol, which is restricted in the European Union above 3% concentrations due to its lung-irritating properties. Impurities like 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide are also harmful as they are recognized carcinogens. Diethanolamine (DEA), another toxicant, is classified as a Group 2B Carcinogen by the World Health Organization and may pose risks to development and reproduction. Animal studies suggest that DEA exposure can interfere with brain development and potentially impair memory in offspring.
For a homemade oven cleaner, you can create a mixture using baking soda and vinegar. Combine 1 cup of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of water to form a paste. Spread this paste inside the oven, avoiding heating elements, and let it sit for at least an hour or overnight. Afterward, wipe the oven with a damp cloth and use a plastic spatula for any tough spots. Finally, spray white vinegar and wipe down for a final clean.
If you have concerns about the potential health risks associated with commercial oven cleaners, there's no need to worry. You're about to discover how to create the most effective homemade oven cleaner.
It's common for homemade oven cleaner recipes to suggest mixing vinegar and baking soda. However, this should be avoided because their combination triggers a reaction that neutralizes the cleaning efficacy of both components.
When opting to clean your oven with vinegar, it's best to use it as the last step. Utilize the following recipe to scrub away grime from your oven, then apply vinegar for a final touch-up to enhance shine and remove grease. Afterwards, simply pat dry with a paper towel.
To make your own homemade oven cleaner, you’ll need the following:
- Glass bowl
- Scrub sponge
- Spoon
- Gloves
- Baking Soda
- Water
Remove the racks from your oven and clean them separately in your sink (you can do this by scrubbing them with baking soda).
Next, add your baking soda to the glass dish. Baking soda is a mildly abrasive cleaner that works great for removing the grime from ovens. It breaks up and removes caked-up particulate matter that get stuck to the oven surface without causing damage.
Then you’ll want to add your water to create a paste that you can easily spread over the surface of your oven.
Wait 20 minutes to one hour, and then wipe clean using a scrub sponge. Follow with a few spritz’s of vinegar and then dry with a paper towel to give it a nice shine.
Here is the recipe for how to make the best homemade oven cleaner:
The Best Homemade Oven Cleaner
Commercial oven cleaners contain some of the most dangerous toxins that you can find. This homemade oven cleaner recipe is the safer solution. (And it works!)
Materials
- 3/4 cups baking soda
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp. water
- 1/4 cup vinegar
Instructions
- In a glass bowl, add the baking soda and water to make a paste.
- Brush onto all surfaces of your oven until completely coated.
- Let sit for 20 minutes to one hour.
- Put on the gloves and using the scrub sponge, wipe clean.
- Follow with a few sprays of vinegar and wipe dry with a paper towel to leave your oven sparkling new.
How to Clean an Oven Quickly
Here are some oven cleaning tips to help you get the fastest (and best) results:
- Remove loose debris: wipe or vacuum up any loose food items from the bottom of the oven before applying your cleaner. This will loosen the dirt, making it easier to clean, and will also reduce the amount of time it takes for the cleaning action to work.
- Give the cleaner time to work: You’ll get better results if you let your baking soda mixture sit for a period of time before cleaning. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes to one hour before wiping to get rid of the built-up grime.
- Cleaning motion: the grime that builds up on your oven is quite literally baked on. So it will need a little bit of elbow grease to fully remove. Use a circular motion with your scrub brush to get rid of any spots that are particularly hard to remove.
- Finish off with vinegar: finish off the cleaning process with some vinegar spray and wipe off with a paper towel. This will also help get rid of any lingering spots that the baking soda didn’t quite remove. Your oven will look as good as new!
