Cleaning the oven area can sometimes be a big challenge! Milk and soups boil over, meals get spilled on the way out — what can you do, accidents happen, and sometimes it’s just how cooking goes. Our ovens can get filthy fast.
Unfortunately, cleaning an oven usually is a grimy, smelly experience, requiring a lot of effort and even some grazes while doing it. Sounds like no fun, so naturally, we put this task off, or even better, trust the professional oven cleaners for it!
Thankfully, there are some simple alternatives, and you can save yourself time and effort by trying them out.
Vinegar steam – Yes, please!
Save some extra money on special cleaning products by using the hidden treasures in your kitchen cabins. Clean your oven with vinegar steam – this simple product will do much of the hard work.
The versatility of the vinegar is almost mind-blowing. It’s also acidic, which makes it an ideal non-toxic cleaner. Use the power of steaming it as this is an excellent way to remove dried food and stubborn stains from the inside of a dirty oven. No more back-breaking scrubbing while breathing in harsh chemicals. All you need to do is apply the cleaner and removе the food stains easily.
Follow these simple steps:
Step one
Start with removing the inside racks out even if you are using your oven’s self-cleaning function, as the heat during the cycle can warp them. Once removed, fill a large tub with hot water and soap and let them sit in this liquid for a few hours, even overnight, if it is possible!
When you think they are ready, scrub them all over with a heavy-duty scrubber or steel wool pad. Rinse well and let them dry. If you think this is not enough and you’ll need something stronger to remove the stains, try with a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner.
Step two
Vacuum out all leftover spilth inside the oven. This will help you make the process much easier later. Use either a hand-held vacuum or a small attachment on any standard vacuum. If you don’t have this equipment, simply wipe the oven with a wet cloth.
Step three
Create your miracle vinegar cleaner with 1 part vinegar and 1 part distilled water in an ovenproof dish. Vinegar is a fantastic cleaner. It deodorises your oven and removes any strong smells from cooking.
You can add a drop of aroma oil.
For example, the orange essential oil is a really good degreaser and helps break down and remove grease and fat. Others like the cinnamon oil you can use for fun as it makes the house smell incredible – just like cookies!
Step four
It’s time to put the bottom oven rack back, position it in the centre of your oven.
Then put the vinegar solution on the rack, heat the oven to 250 degrees and let the liquid do its magic. Let it steam, bubble, and soak for a few minutes. This process is simple, and the combination of a very hot oven and steam loosens up the grease and dirt perfectly.
Step five
Turn your oven off, put on some gloves, and while being extra careful not to burn yourself, spray the water and vinegar mixture all over the interior of the oven. Close the door and let the solution soak for at least 30 minutes.
When your oven is cool enough to touch, wipe it out. You will see all of the stuck-on spots should come off fairly easy. Use a scrubber to remove the loosened dirt and grime. If there are some more stubborn stains, scrub them with a paste made of baking soda and vinegar or lemon.
Step six
Don’t throw out the vinegar water just yet! When you finish with the stains, dip your sponge in to give the oven a final wipe down. And now you are ready to cook lots of delicious meals in a perfectly clean oven.
One way to reduce how often you need to steam clean your oven is prevention. An easy tip is to place aluminium foil on your bottom rack to catch spills. Also, be careful when you are putting food in and out. Small things like that can keep the interior of your oven looking clean for longer.
The vinegar steam is an amazing natural method for removing stubborn grime, but as you know, this kind of mess doesn’t come off without a fight. The process is a bit lengthy, so you just need some patience and spare time.
In case you prefer to spend your time in a different way, we are here to help! You can count on our professional services, using high-class products to make your oven sparkle again while you take a rest or introduce yourself to a new hobby!