7 Oven Cleaner Alternatives That Are Already Hiding In Your Kitchen

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Cleaning your oven is no easy task, especially if you have some caked-on grease or burn spots that never seem to want to come off. Traditional store-bought oven cleaners can work, but many of them contain harsh chemicals, or might release toxic fumes that are harmful to your health. The ingredients could also be dangerous to touch. So, if the cleaner gets on exposed, unprotected skin, it can become a problem. It's important to be aware of oven cleaning hacks that you should avoid so you don't make your oven (or your health) worse. All these safety concerns have increased the need to find safer, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly options when cleaning your oven. Some oven cleaner alternatives you can use that are already hiding in your kitchen include a dishwashing tablet, vinegar, baking soda, and aluminum foil.

You should deep clean your oven once every few months , or even more frequently to keep grease and grime at bay. Foods that drip while baking or stuck-on bits that are left in the oven could cause smoke when you use it (which can set off your smoke detector alarm), and also stink up your kitchen. If left on there for too long, they can damage parts of your oven, too. It's essential to keep this appliance clean in between baking so finding clever cleaning tips and tricks to keep your oven sparkling is helpful. 

Believe it or not, your dishwasher tablets pack a powerful punch when it comes to attacking grease and grime. That's why they can make an excellent cleaner for your oven as well as your dishes! Simply soak your tablet in a bowl of water so it starts to dissolve, then use the mixture on stains, scrubbing in a circular motion and then wiping them clean with a damp cloth. Be sure not to use tablets that contain any bleach since they can release fumes or react with other cleaning products.

Your dish soap is another incredibly effective cleaner you can use freely on your oven. We recommend this Dawn Platinum Dish Soap Liquid. Wet your sponge, then put about five drops of dish soap directly on it (or spray it if you have dish soap spray). Wipe thoroughly and use the scrub side on tougher spots, letting them soak a bit beforehand by squeezing out the sponge. Then you can rinse with water or a damp towel, and take a dry towel to wipe your oven clean.

Baking soda is one of the easiest, non-toxic ways to clean your oven racks (and your oven). The best thing about baking soda is that it's food-safe yet abrasive, making it a good scrubber for tough or baked-on foods in the oven. Make a paste with 1 cup of water and ½ cup (or more) of baking soda. Spread it on areas of your oven that need it most, but cover as much as possible. Let it sit overnight for the best results to break down the grime, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.

White vinegar is an acidic product that breaks down dirt and grease in your oven. You can steam clean your oven by preheating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, take a deep baking pan or bowl, fill with water, and add ¾ cup of vinegar. Place it in the hot oven and wait until you see steam. Turn the oven off, let the pan sit for 30 minutes before removing. Once the oven is cool, spray a mixture of vinegar and water, and use a sponge or a damp cloth to wipe everything down. 

If you have aluminum foil in your kitchen, this is an excellent way to make your oven door sparkle. It removes grease and crusty foods with ease. This hack involves taking aluminum foil and rolling it into a ball, pouring hot water on the glass inside your oven, sprinkling some baking soda, and then using the foil to scrub to lift off all the grime. You then just wipe the inside clean with a dry, microfiber cloth. Scrubbing with foil makes your glass spotless!

Lemons are excellent for cleaning due to their antibacterial properties. The acids help remove stains and fight rust. You'll want to create a steam in your oven using a baking pan, water, and sliced lemons. Squeeze the lemons so the juice mixes with the water, too. Heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake it for 20 minutes at that temperature. Turn the oven off, allow it to cool and then dip a cloth in the mixture and scrub away. You'll be surprised at how clean it is (and the lemony scent is an added bonus).

If you're concerned about spills and messes that happen in the oven while baking, you'll be pleased to know that good old table salt can make cleaning your oven a breeze. The salt works to absorb some of the spill so it doesn't get stuck on. Leaks from foods or bubbled over messes are no match when you quickly apply salt on them after you bake. It's best if you do this while the oven is still hot. Once the oven cools, you can easily lift the mess with a spatula or scraper.