Ever wonder what makes your oven cleaner so effective? It seems like you can cook just about anything, let it boil over, and wait a month until you even bother cleaning the oven—and still, your oven cleaner works like a charm!
Well, that’s because most of these heavy-duty oven cleaners use extremely toxic chemicals to dissolve even the toughest baked-on messes.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, many effective over cleaners are made with corrosive ingredients, like lye.
While lye may help get rid of the grease and grime in your oven, it may also burn your eyes and skin. If accidentally swallowed, it can prove to be extremely dangerous.
Is that really something you want in your home? If you have small children or pets, a squeaky clean oven may not be worth the potential costs.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of easy, fast, and effective ways to clean your greasy oven—without adding harsh chemicals to the mix!
How To Prevent Messes
The easiest way to keep your oven spotless is to prevent possible messes. So, if you think your cheesy casserole might boil over, place the dish on a cookie sheet to make cleanup easy from the start. You can also line the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil to keep the mess from getting stuck in hard-to-reach places. Any other minor spills and splatters should be wiped down as soon as possible, before they harden.
How To Make A Natural Cleaning Solution
Forget the expensive sprays with millions of ingredients that you can’t even pronounce. Just make your own non-toxic solution with two simple ingredients: baking soda and white vinegar. These natural cleaners are safe, effective, and cheap.
The simplest way to make your own oven cleaner is by creating a baking soda paste. Just use a spray bottle to mist the entire oven with water and pour a thick layer of baking soda around the whole area (especially the bottom), and let the solution sit for a few hours. When you come back, the paste—and the grime—should wipe right off!
If you still see any patches of baking soda after wiping down the solution, fill your spray bottle with vinegar and mist the oven again. The vinegar should react with the baking soda to create a foamy substance. Take a damp cloth and wipe down the oven. It should look as good as new by the time you’re done!
Do you have any tips for creating an easy DIY oven cleaner? Tell us in the comments!
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