How to Clean Your Oven Naturally Without Harsh Chemicals

Shop-bought oven cleaners work, but many contain caustic chemicals with harsh fumes that linger near your food. You can get an oven just as clean with bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar, for pennies and without the eye-watering smell. Here is the natural method that actually works.

Why clean your oven naturally

Caustic oven sprays can irritate your skin, eyes and lungs, and the fumes are unpleasant in an enclosed kitchen. Bicarbonate of soda is a gentle abrasive that lifts baked-on grease, while vinegar reacts with it to loosen the residue. Both are cheap, food-safe and kind to your home.

What you will need

• Bicarbonate of soda, about half a cup
• White vinegar in a spray bottle
• Water
• A spatula or a plastic scraper
• Rubber gloves and a few cloths

Step by step

1. Make a paste

Mix half a cup of bicarbonate of soda with a few tablespoons of water until you have a spreadable paste. Remove the shelves first, so you can reach every surface inside.

2. Coat the oven

Spread the paste over the inside of the oven, avoiding the heating elements and the fan. Focus on the greasy patches, where the paste may turn brown as it works. Leave it overnight, or for at least a few hours.

3. Wipe and spray

Wipe out as much paste as you can with a damp cloth. Spray white vinegar over any bicarbonate that remains; it will foam gently as the two react. This helps lift the last of the grease.

4. Final wipe

Give everything a final wipe with a clean, damp cloth until no residue is left. A plastic scraper helps with any stubborn spots without scratching the surface.

Cleaning the racks

Soak the shelves in hot water with a good squirt of washing-up liquid and a handful of bicarbonate of soda. Leave them for an hour or two, then scrub with a brush and rinse. For heavy grime, lay them on an old towel in the bath so the water covers them.

Watch out for the fan and elements

Keep the paste and liquid away from the heating elements and the fan opening, as trapped moisture can damage them. Wipe these parts with a barely damp cloth only. If your oven is self-cleaning or catalytic, check the manual first, as bicarbonate can harm the special lining.

The glass door

Make a thicker bicarbonate paste, spread it on the glass and leave it for 20 minutes. Wipe it away to reveal a clear door, then buff with a little vinegar for a streak-free finish.

Keep it easier next time

Wipe up spills once the oven has cooled, and use a baking tray or liner to catch drips. A quick clean every few weeks stops grease baking on and saves you the big job later. Warming the oven for a few minutes first also softens the grease and makes it wipe away more easily.

No time to wait for the bicarbonate to work its magic? Book a GlowSpark cleaner from £19 an hour and come home to a fresh, sparkling kitchen.