If you've got a dirty secret hiding in your kitchen, then it's time to take care of it. Instead of purchasing a chemical-filled oven cleaner, make your own to leave your oven looking sparkling clean. And guess what? This homemade oven cleaner costs basically nothing to make and doesn't involve breaking a sweat. You won't be embarrassed to open your oven in front of others ever again after trying this DIY oven cleaner.
What You'll Need
Gather up these simple ingredients—chances are, you already have most of them sitting in your pantry or under the sink. No need for a special trip to the store, which means you can start cleaning ASAP. Here’s the lineup: 1/4 cup liquid dish soap (the degreasing hero), 1/2 cup baking soda (your gentle but mighty scrubber), 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (for breaking down tough stains), zest of one lemon (because cleaning shouldn’t smell like a chemistry lab), and 1 tablespoon vinegar (nature’s disinfectant). You’ll also need a trusty scrub sponge and some paper towels for wiping away the mess.
Directions for a Spotless Oven
First things first—don’t skip the prep work. Even if you're dealing with years of baked-on grime, giving it a quick wipe-down with warm, soapy water and a scrub sponge is a great starting point for tackling the mess. Rinse the sponge often to remove grease—this keeps things from getting too gloopy. Now, mix together the ingredients until they resemble thick glue. The baking soda naturally scrubs without scratching, while the hydrogen peroxide and dish soap team up to dissolve all that stubborn gunk. The lemon zest and vinegar? They’re not just for show—they cut through odors and leave your oven smelling fresh instead of like last week’s pizza night.
Why This Works Better Than Store-Bought Cleaners
Most commercial oven cleaners are packed with harsh chemicals that can leave behind toxic fumes—not exactly something you want near your food. This DIY version? No scary ingredients, no lingering smells, and no worrying about what you’re breathing in while you scrub. Plus, baking soda is a natural abrasive, meaning it lifts grime without scratching your oven’s surface. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerhouse for breaking down organic stains (like those mystery spills you’ve been ignoring), and dish soap? It’s basically the MVP of cutting through grease. Together, they make a cleaning dream team.
Extra Tips for Tough Stains
If your oven has seen better days (and by that, we mean it looks like a science experiment gone wrong), don’t panic. For extra stubborn spots, let the paste sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing. The longer it sits, the more time the ingredients have to work their magic. If you’ve got a glass oven door with stubborn streaks, a quick spritz of vinegar followed by a wipe with a microfiber cloth will make it shine like new. And if you’re dealing with burnt-on residue, a plastic scraper (used gently!) can help lift the worst of it before you apply the cleaner.
There you have it—a simple, effective, and wallet-friendly way to tackle oven grime without the harsh chemicals. No more hiding your oven door when guests come over. Just a sparkling clean kitchen appliance that looks (and smells) like it just rolled off the showroom floor.
