How to Clean an Oven with Baking Soda in 7 Easy Steps

Baking soda is a stellar cleaner that can tackle many stains and messes. It is a great option for removing smells as it is a natural deodorizer. Plus, it’s completely safe and natural, making it a better option for homes with pets and children.

You can even use baking soda to clean your oven. This process is relatively simple, safe, and effective. It only takes a few steps, and you don’t have to get suited up in PPE to do it! It’s also completely food-safe, allowing you to get right back to using your oven.

You will need some vinegar, water, and a spray bottle for this method to be most effective. However, these are typical household items that are relatively inexpensive. Once you have those items (and the baking soda, of course), here are the straightforward steps to get your oven sparkling:

How to Clean an Oven With Baking Soda

1. Remove the Oven Racks

You’ll need to remove everything from your oven, including the oven racks. Be sure to remove thermometers and anything else that may be in the oven, as well. You want the oven emptied of almost everything that can be taken out. (However, there is no need to start dismantling the oven; remove everything meant to come out easily.)

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2. Create the Baking Soda Cleaner

Next, you’ll need to put together your baking soda cleaner. To do this, mix your baking soda with water until it creates a paste. You’ll want about equal parts, but you can add more or less until the consistency is spreadable but not watery. You’ll likely need quite a bit, so make plenty.

Because you’re making a lot of paste, you’ll probably want to purchase plenty of baking soda.

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3. Spread the Paste

Now that the paste is made, you’ll want to spread it inside your oven. You may want to use gloves for this part. While the paste is completely harmless, the grime inside the oven can be very dirty. Avoid the heating elements as much as possible, though it won’t matter if a little paste gets on them. However, do add extra to any particularly dirty parts. You really can’t add too much, so don’t skimp.

The paste will likely turn brown as it works on the grease. This is natural and nothing to worry about.

Once everything is covered, wait at least 12 hours before touching the oven inside again.

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4. Clean the Oven Racks

While you’re waiting, you can clean the oven racks. You don’t need to use baking soda for this step. Instead, soak them in soapy, warm water for a couple of hours. You can even use a bathtub for this step, as the racks may be too large for your sink.

Once the racks have soaked, the grime usually comes off easily with a good scrub.

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5. Get Back to Work on the Oven

After waiting 12 hours, you can return to work on the oven. Get a damp cloth and start wiping away all the baking soda from the inside of the oven. There may be some stubborn areas, so be prepared to use a scraper or spatula if necessary. Of course, don’t be too rough. You don’t want to scratch the inside of your oven, either.

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6. Spray Vinegar

Next, put white vinegar in a spray bottle and soak the oven inside. You don’t want the vinegar to pool at the bottom, but you want to get everywhere. The vinegar interacts with the leftover baking soda, helping it clean the tough spots.

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7. Clean the Oven Glass

The oven’s glass often gets overlooked, but it can easily make the whole thing seem uncleaned. If your oven has glass, you need to clean it thoroughly. To do so, make another baking soda paste and spread it over the window. Wait about 30 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp rag. You can also use vinegar for this step, but it typically isn’t necessary.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning an oven with baking soda is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is make a paste to allow the baking soda to stick to the inside of the oven. Then, provide the paste for at least 12 hours to lift the grime from the oven’s surface. Wiping the paste off should remove most of the grease, and spraying the oven with vinegar can remove whatever is left.

Of course, because you have to let the paste sit for a bit, be sure you have enough time before you start. It works best to start cleaning in the evening and then let the paste sit overnight.

See also: How to Clean Grease From an Oven – Best Tips & Tricks

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Featured Image Credit: Denys Niezhientsev, Shutterstock