There’s nothing like a delicious home-cooked meal straight out of the oven. But after your belly is full, it’s time to clean up the mess. Sometimes the dishes we make in the oven leave behind burnt-on or sticky messes that can take some extra elbow grease to remove. This cleaning method using baking soda and vinegar from TheKitchn.com can help you bring back the sparkle and shine to your oven.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
You’ll need baking soda, vinegar, a bowl, spoon and measuring cup, a new paintbrush, rubber gloves, aluminum foil, a spray bottle, clean towels and sponges.
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Step 2: Empty Oven and Plug Openings
While wearing protective gloves, remove cooking ware and racks from the oven. Use aluminum foil to fill any openings so that the cleaning mixture does not drip into them, says MarthaStewart.com.
Step 3: Make the Cleaning Paste
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of warm water and stir to a paste-like consistency. If you have a bigger oven, you may need a larger batch of paste, or you may need a little more water to make the paste more spreadable. Adjust the mixture as needed.
Step 4: Spread the Paste in the Oven
Spread the mixture all over the interior of your oven with the paintbrush. Be sure to avoid getting the paste on any heating elements. Let the paste sit overnight for 12 hours.
Step 5: Clean the Oven Racks
Meanwhile, place the oven racks in a sink or tub. If you use a bathtub, place towels underneath the racks so they don’t scratch the surface of the tub. Sprinkle baking soda all over the racks, says BobVila.com, and then pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz the racks thoroughly. You’ll then want to submerge the racks in warm water and let them soak overnight for about 12 hours as well.
Step 6: Wipe Mixture Away
After the 12 hours are up, remove the dried baking soda paste with a damp towel. If needed, you can supplement the towel with a plastic spatula to aid in the removal of the paste.
Step 7: Spray Oven With Vinegar and Scrub
Next, spray the oven with vinegar. Be sure to keep the broiler openings plugged with foil as you complete this step. Then, using a sponge, scrub the interior of the oven to remove any remaining burnt-on messes and baking soda residue.
Step 8: Wipe the Oven Clean
Wipe down the oven with a damp towel or sponge. Repeat this step until the oven is clean and then use a new, dry towel to give the oven a final wipe down.
Step 9: Replace Oven Racks
Use a sponge to scrub off any remaining residue and dry the racks with a towel. Place them back in the oven.