Making sure your oven is clean is an important part of food hygiene. However, if you’re concerned about the environmental and health impacts of using harsh chemicals in your home, check out this method to get your oven looking shiny and new without reaching for bleach or other intense chemicals.
Step One: Remove Any Trays
Remove all grill pans and trays from the oven and start them soaking in very hot water and some dishwashing soap. Leave them for at least 10 minutes.
Step Two: Freshen The Oven
Meanwhile, turn your oven onto a medium heat. Fill an oven proof tray half up with fresh water, and a whole lemon cut in half. Place the tray on the bottom of the oven, shut the door, and leave it for 20 minutes. This should steam clean your oven and start to remove any grease and grime.
Step Three: Baking Soda
Drain the dishwater you’ve been soaking the oven trays in. Place some baking soda on a sponge or cloth and moisten it with a little water. Work this mix over the trays, focusing on scrubbing away at any particularly greasy or grimy parts. You may need to do this several times. When you’re done, mist the trays with vinegar in a spray bottle, and then soak them once again in hot water and dish soap.
Step Four: Scrub The Oven
Turn your oven off and remove the lemon water tray. Allow the oven to cool with the door open, before using a mix of vinegar and lemon juice water, or a ecologically friendly cleaning spray, to scrub at the oven’s sides and door. Rinse off with a cloth dipped in clean, cold water.
Once you’ve rinsed the trays and dried them, you can return them to the oven. Although this process may take some time, it really does work to get your oven looking shiny and new, without using any harsh chemicals.
