HOMEMADE OVEN CLEANER – A NATURAL AND EFFECTIVE SOLUTION FOR A SPARKLING KITCHEN

2. **Add Essential Oils (Optional)**:
– If you’re adding essential oils for fragrance, now’s the time. Add about 5-10 drops of lemon, tea tree, or your preferred essential oil to the paste. Stir well to combine.

3. **Apply the Paste to the Oven**:
– Make sure your oven is turned off and cool before you begin. Using a spatula or sponge, spread the baking soda paste generously over the interior of your oven, focusing on areas with built-up grease and food spills. Be sure to cover the bottom, sides, and door of the oven. If your oven has a lot of stubborn stains, you can let the paste sit for 15-20 minutes to work its magic.

4. **Spray with Vinegar**:
– In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and water (about 1/4 cup of each should do). After you’ve applied the paste, spritz the vinegar solution over the baking soda paste. You’ll notice it fizzing and bubbling—this reaction helps to lift grime and grease from the oven walls. Let it sit for another 5-10 minutes to allow the fizzing action to break down the buildup.

5. **Scrub and Wipe Away**:
– After the fizzing has slowed down, take a sponge or soft cloth and start scrubbing away the paste. The grease and grime should come off easily, leaving your oven spotless. For any stubborn areas, apply more paste and give them a bit of extra scrubbing.

6. **Rinse and Finish**:
– Once you’ve scrubbed all surfaces, use a clean damp cloth to wipe away any remaining residue. Repeat this process until your oven is gleaming, free from any paste or cleaning solution.

7. **Polish and Dry**:
– To add a nice shine and ensure no residue is left behind, wipe the oven down with a dry cloth or paper towel. Your oven should now be sparkling clean!

### **Additional Tips for Oven Cleaning**

– **Clean Regularly**: For best results, try to clean your oven every few months, depending on how often you use it. The more frequently you clean it, the less buildup you’ll have to scrub away, and the easier it will be to maintain.

– **Use a Protective Liner**: If you want to reduce the amount of grime that collects on the bottom of your oven, consider using a non-stick oven liner. This simple step can make cleaning much easier and less frequent.

– **Tackle the Racks**: Don’t forget to clean your oven racks! You can soak them in a mixture of baking soda and warm water, or use the same paste you created for the oven itself. After soaking for about 30 minutes, scrub them clean, and they’ll look as good as new.

– **Don’t Forget the Oven Door**: The oven door often accumulates grease and food splatters. Use the same method for the door, paying attention to both the glass and any metal trim. If you have stubborn grease on the glass, a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water will usually do the trick.

### **Why This Homemade Oven Cleaner Works**

The combination of **baking soda and vinegar** is a tried-and-true method for natural cleaning. The baking soda’s gentle abrasiveness helps to scrub away grease and grime without damaging your oven’s surfaces, while the vinegar’s acidity breaks down tough stains and neutralizes odors. This one-two punch is effective at cutting through even the most stubborn grease while keeping your kitchen safe and clean.

Essential oils like lemon also add an extra layer of power to the mix. Not only do they provide a fresh scent, but many essential oils, such as tea tree oil, have antibacterial properties that add an extra level of cleanliness.

### **Conclusion**

Making your own homemade oven cleaner is simple, safe, and effective. With ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils, you can clean your oven without the harsh chemicals found in many commercial cleaners. Plus, you can feel good knowing that you’re using natural ingredients that are safer for your health and the environment. So, next time your oven is in need of a deep clean, skip the store-bought products and whip up this easy, eco-friendly solution for a sparkling kitchen!