The Best DIY Oven Cleaner Recipes to Get Rid of Grime

Homemade oven cleaner recipes

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 20 - 45 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins - 9 hrs
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5-10

Shop the household cleaning products aisle and you'll see dozens of commercial oven cleaners. Some of them work great but you don't need to buy one because you can create DIY oven cleaner recipes with products you probably have on hand in the pantry! Whether you have a self-cleaning oven or not, there will come a time when you'll need to hand-clean a stubborn spill or a glass oven door.

How Often to Clean an Oven

The frequency of cleaning an oven depends upon your cooking routine. Spills and overflows should be cleaned as soon as possible. If the oven is used frequently, it should be thoroughly cleaned at least seasonally or when you encounter:

  • Smoke when the oven is turned on
  • The bottom of the oven is covered with crusty food or burned residue
  • A burning or greasy odor when the oven is turned on
  • The door splattered with grease or baked-on grime

Warning

Since cleaning an oven requires reaching into a small, enclosed space, it is best to wear safety glasses or protective eyewear in case cleaning supplies splatter. Protective gloves are also recommended to keep your hands safe.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Protective gloves and eyewear
  • 1 to 2  Microfiber cloths or sponges
  • 1 Melamine sponge (Mr. Clean Magic Eraser)
  • Plastic bucket or large tub
  • Small bowl
  • Paintbrush (optional)
  • Large, ovenproof dish
  • Large sink, bathtub, or garden hose
  • Spray bottle

Materials

  • Baking soda
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Dishwashing liquid with degreaser
  • 1 to 2  Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags
  • 1 roll Newspapers or dropcloth

Instructions

Materials needed to clean the oven

The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Baking Soda and Vinegar Oven Cleaning Recipe

Baking soda works as a gentle abrasive to scour away baked-on grime while the distilled white vinegar helps cut through greasy residue on the oven racks.

Tip

To make oven cleaning easier, use steam to loosen the grime before you spread on the baking soda paste. Place an oven-safe bowl in the oven and heat until steam fills the oven. Let the oven cool and then begin cleaning.

  1. Mix a Baking Soda Paste

    In a small bowl combine:

    • 1 cup baking soda
    • 2 tablespoons water

    Stir well to make a thin, spreadable paste. You may need to adjust the amount of water slightly.

    Mixing a baking soda oven cleaning paste

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  2. Empty the Oven

    • Remove the racks and any other items in the oven.
    • Protect the floor with newspapers or a drop cloth.
    Emptying the oven before cleaning

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  3. Spread the Paste and Wait

    • Wearing gloves and protective eyewear, use a sponge or an old paintbrush to spread the paste.
    • Cover all surfaces, including the door, except for electrical heating elements and gas vents.
    • Close the oven door and allow the paste to sit for at least an hour or overnight.
    Spreading the oven cleaning paste

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  4. Clean the Racks

    • Place the racks in a large sink, bathtub, or heavy-duty plastic garbage bags.
    • Spray the racks with distilled white vinegar.
    • Sprinkle with baking soda and watch the foaming action.
    • When the foaming stops, add hot water to the sink, tub, or plastic bag until the racks are fully submerged.
    • Allow them to soak for at least one hour or overnight.
    Removing and cleaning the oven racks

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  5. Clean and Reassemble the Oven

    • When the paste has had time to work, open the oven and wipe down all of the surfaces with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth.
    • If stuck-on food remains, scrub it away with a melamine sponge (Mr. Clean Magic Eraser).
    • Finish by dipping a clean sponge or microfiber cloth in a solution of 50 percent water and 50 percent distilled white vinegar and wipe away any remaining cleaning products.
    • Remove the racks from the soaking water and wipe with a sponge to remove the grime on each side.
    • Dry the racks and put them back in the oven.
    Cleaning the racks before reassembling the oven

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Dishwashing Liquid Oven Cleaning Recipe

If your oven hasn't been cleaned regularly and it is heavily soiled with a greasy film, use a cleaning recipe that includes a good dishwashing liquid that contains degreasing agents.

Tip

When selecting a dishwashing liquid, choose one that states it includes a degreasing agent, like Dawn.

  1. Make a Paste

    In a small bowl combine:

    • 1 cup baking soda
    • 1 tablespoon water
    • 1 tablespoon dishwashing liquid

    Stir well to make a thin, spreadable paste. You may need to adjust the amount of water slightly.

    Mixing a baking soda cleaning paste

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala

  2. Clean the Oven

    Follow the cleaning steps listed above.

    Closeup of cleaning the oven with baking soda paste

    The Spruce / Adelyn Duchala