How to Clean an Oven With Vinegar & Water

Safely clean an oven with vinegar and water.

Most oven cleaners contain sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, which can corrode skin, eyes or internal organs. Not only are these chemicals harmful if exposed to the skin, they are usually fatal if swallowed. Many people are using natural methods to clean their ovens for safer alternatives to the harsh chemicals in oven cleaners. Vinegar is a popular all-purpose cleaner used on ovens, as it is inexpensive, effective and nontoxic. Mixed with water and baking soda, vinegar can clean the grime in any oven.

Things You'll Need

• 2 empty spray bottles
• Water
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Sponge or cloth

Instructions

1. Fill a clean, empty spray bottle with water. Dampen your oven by spraying water on all of the surfaces of the oven's interior.

2. Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda all over the dampened surfaces. Allow the baking soda to sit and dry for about three hours. Baking soda is a sodium bicarbonate, which neutralizes acids and bases on a surface.

3. Fill another clean spray bottle with white vinegar and spray the vinegar over the baking soda. Fizzing will occur, which means the dirt and grime are coming off the oven.

4. Dampen a sponge or cloth with water and wipe down the oven surfaces to remove the baked-on food and grime. The grime should come off easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the oven is completely cool before cleaning it.

References

• TV Lesson: How to Clean Your Oven Using Baking Soda & Vinegar
• Hint and Things: How To Clean An Oven
• Purdue: Oven Cleaner