How to Clean an Oven Naturally With Items From Your Kitchen

August 27, 2025 Shahrukh Ghumro

Nothing is worse than the smell of burnt-on grease wafting from your oven every time you turn it on. A dirty oven is an eyesore; the accumulated grime can impact the taste of your food, produce unpleasant odors, and even pose a fire risk. The thought of tackling that mess might tempt you to reach for harsh chemical cleaners, but in this guide, we will uncover a safer and more effective alternative.

You don’t need potent toxins to get the job done. In this guide, we’ll show you how to clean an oven using simple, everyday ingredients you already have in your kitchen pantry. We’ll walk you through a gentle yet effective process, proving that a sparkling clean oven is possible without the strong fumes and skin irritants.

The secret to this method lies in witnessing the power of everyday pantry items like baking soda and vinegar. These natural wonders are incredibly effective at breaking down tough grease and grime but are also entirely safe for your family and the environment.

By ditching the harsh chemicals, you’re creating a healthier home and avoiding the release of pollutants into the air.

Why Choose Natural Oven Cleaning Methods?

Choosing natural methods to clean your oven is a great way to prioritize your family’s health and the environment. Harsh and store-bought chemical cleaners release toxic fumes that can cause skin irritation. Natural cleaners are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for everyone in your home, including children and pets.

This approach is also incredibly budget-friendly, as you’re using inexpensive pantry staples you already own instead of expensive, specialized products. By opting for natural cleaners, you’re not only getting a sparkling clean oven, but you’re also reducing your household’s chemical footprint. If you are unwilling, or do not have time, or the grime is too much for you to clean, you can always opt for same-day house cleaning by Lazy Susans Cleaning.

What You’ll Need From Your Kitchen Pantry

You don’t need a bunch of expensive and chemical-filled products to make your oven sparkling clean, because we will share some household and readily available items to clean your oven.

We will explore your kitchen pantry as your cleaning supply. Instead of relying on the oven’s self-cleaning function or any cleaning service like Lazy Susans Cleaning Services in USA, you can create what is the best homemade oven cleaner from these common, and often overlooked, ingredients:

Baking Soda: The ultimate secret weapon for scrubbing away stubborn grime.
White Vinegar: Vinegar is perfect for cutting through grease and neutralizing odors, leaving a fresh, clean scent.
Lemon: Adds a natural, pleasant citrus aroma while its acidic properties help to break down caked-on food.
Salt: A gentle abrasive that gives your paste an extra boost for tackling tough spots.
Dish Soap: An optional but practical addition to your cleaning paste for serious grease removal.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Your Oven Naturally

Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your oven naturally:

Step 1: Empty Your Oven

First things first, remove everything from the oven. Take out the racks, any pans, and even the oven thermometer if you have one. This will give you a clear, unobstructed space to work with, making the entire cleaning process much easier.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda Paste

In a bowl, mix around half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Stir until you have a thick, spreadable paste. You’ll want it to be thick enough to cling to the sides of the oven without being too watery.

Step 3: Apply the Paste Inside the Oven

Using a spatula or your hands, spread the baking soda paste evenly over all the interior surfaces of your oven, avoiding the heating elements. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy and apply a thicker layer on areas with heavy grease and grime.

Step 4: Let It Sit Overnight

This is the most crucial step for a deep clean. Let the baking soda paste work its wonder for at least 12 hours, or even better, overnight. This long waiting period allows the baking soda to break down tough, caked-on food and grease.

Step 5: Clean the Oven Racks Separately

While the paste is doing its job, you can tackle the racks. Place them in a bathtub with hot water and a few squirts of dish soap. Let them soak for an hour or two, then scrub them with a sponge to remove any remaining grime.

Step 6: Wipe Out the Oven

After the overnight wait, take a damp cloth or sponge and begin wiping out the dried baking soda paste. You’ll notice that the grime comes off with the paste, leaving a much cleaner surface behind. Rinse your cloth frequently to avoid just spreading the mess around.

Step 7: Spray with Vinegar for Extra Shine

Once you’ve removed most of the paste, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and lightly spritz the inside of the oven. The vinegar will react with any leftover baking soda, creating a light foam that helps to lift and clean away any residue, leaving a streak-free shine.

Step 8: Replace the Racks and Enjoy a Fresh Oven

Give the interior one final wipe-down with a clean, damp cloth, then slide your now-clean racks back into place. Your oven is now sparkling, fresh, and ready for your next culinary adventure. Enjoy the satisfying feeling of a naturally clean kitchen.

Alternative Natural Oven Cleaning Hacks

If you don’t want to wait overnight, then there are several alternative natural methods for how to clean an oven that can provide quicker results. One popular and refreshing hack is the lemon steam method. Simply place a baking-safe bowl filled with water and a few sliced lemons inside the oven. Heat the oven to a medium temperature for about 20-30 minutes, allowing the lemon-infused steam to loosen grease and leave a fresh scent, after which you can simply wipe the grime away.

Another effective trick is the salt scrub for stubborn spots. While the oven is still warm (but safe to touch), sprinkle salt directly onto a fresh spill. The salt will absorb the oil and make it much easier to scrape off once cooled.

These methods are great complements to the more in-depth guide on how to clean an oven naturally with baking soda, giving you more options for maintaining a clean and fresh oven.

Moreover, you can find a more detailed guide on how to clean oven with lemon for a deeper explanation of that method.

How Often Should You Clean Your Oven Naturally?

The frequency of cleaning your oven naturally depends on how often you use it. For average use, a thorough cleaning every three to six months is a good benchmark to maintain hygiene and prevent odors from burned-on grease and food.

However, if you are a frequent baker or regularly roast dishes that splatter, you should deep clean your oven at least once a month. This effective approach will keep your kitchen fresh and prevent tough grime from building up, making the overall task of knowing how to clean an oven much easier and less time-consuming.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, learning how to clean an oven naturally is a simple yet powerful way to maintain a sparkling kitchen without harsh chemicals. By using readily available ingredients, you can make effective homemade oven cleaners that are safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly.

These methods prove that achieving a clean oven doesn’t require specialized products, making it possible to learn how to clean an oven quickly and efficiently. For those stubborn and long-neglected messes, you should prefer a professional touch.

Remember that hiring a commercial kitchen cleaning service is always an option to make your entire kitchen spotless and sanitary.