How to Clean Your Oven Without Harsh Chemicals
Of all the questions Saskatoon homeowners ask us, "how do I clean my oven?" is in the top three. Traditional oven cleaners are full of caustic chemicals that leave your house smelling like a chemistry lab for days. There's a better way — and it costs about $2 worth of pantry ingredients.
What You'll Need
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2–3 tablespoons water (more as needed)
- 1 small spray bottle of white vinegar
- Microfiber cloths or paper towels
- Rubber gloves
- An old toothbrush (for crevices)
Step 1: Empty the Oven
Remove the oven racks and anything else inside — pizza stones, baking sheets, that thermometer you forgot was in there. Set the racks in your bathtub or laundry sink for a separate soak (more below).
Step 2: Make the Baking Soda Paste
In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. You want a spreadable paste — like thick yogurt. Add water slowly; it's easier to add more than to recover from too much.
Step 3: Coat the Oven Interior
Put on your rubber gloves and spread the paste across the inside walls of your oven. Avoid the heating elements. Cover stained or greasy spots more thickly. The paste should look slightly grey or brown wherever there's grime — that's the baking soda starting to lift the grease.
Step 4: Let It Sit
This is the secret. Leave the paste on overnight — or at minimum 8 hours. The baking soda needs time to chemically loosen the baked-on grease and carbon. Rushing this step is the #1 reason people think this method "doesn't work."
Step 5: Wipe Out the Paste
The next morning, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe out the paste. Most of the grime will come with it. Use the toothbrush for corners and the area around the door seal.
Step 6: Spray with Vinegar
Anywhere baking soda residue remains, spritz with white vinegar. It will foam slightly as the two react. Wipe clean with a fresh damp cloth. The reaction breaks down any remaining residue.
Step 7: Clean the Racks
For the oven racks, soak them in hot water with 1/2 cup of dish soap and 1/2 cup of baking soda in your bathtub or laundry sink for 2+ hours. Scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse and dry thoroughly before returning to the oven.
Step 8: Clean the Door Glass
For interior oven glass, apply more baking soda paste, let sit 30 minutes, then scrape gently with a plastic spatula or razor blade (held at a low angle). Wipe clean with vinegar spray and microfiber.
How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?
Deep clean every 3–4 months for households that cook regularly. Wipe up spills as they happen (a baked-on spill from a roast becomes a 30-minute job; the same spill cleaned the next day takes 30 seconds).
Self-Cleaning Ovens: Use With Caution
Modern self-cleaning ovens reach temperatures of 900°F+ which can damage some oven components and produces nasty fumes. The baking soda method is gentler on your oven and your indoor air quality.
Don't Want to Do It Yourself?
Our deep cleaning service includes a complete oven clean inside and out. Call 306-700-6576 to book.