Step 4: Wipe Clean
Using a damp microfiber cloth or sponge:
Wipe away the solution and loosened grime
Rinse the cloth often
For stubborn spots, scrub gently with a non-scratch pad
Repeat if needed — most ovens only need one round.
Step 5: Deodorize (Optional)
After wiping, heat the oven to 200°F (95°C) for 10–15 minutes to dry out any moisture and eliminate lingering odors.
Or place a small bowl of baking soda inside to absorb smells between uses.
🧽 Bonus Tips for a Spotless, Low-Maintenance Oven
Clean monthly
Prevents buildup from returning
Line the bottom with foil
Catches spills (but don’t cover vents)
Wipe spills right away
Easier than waiting for them to bake on
Use stainless steel racks?
Soak them in the bathtub with the same solution
Store extra cleaner under the sink
Ready when you need it
Even better — keep a small spray bottle in the kitchen for quick touch-ups.
🍊 Creative Ways to Customize Your Cleaner
Want to tweak the formula?
Try these upgrades:
Add orange or grapefruit juice
Extra citrus power + sweet scent
Use Castile soap instead of dish soap
For a fully plant-based version
Mix in 1 tsp essential oil (tea tree, eucalyptus)
Adds antibacterial boost
Sprinkle baking soda before spraying
For heavy-duty scrub-free cleaning
Even better — this cleaner also works on stovetops, microwaves, and toaster ovens .
🧠 Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Cleaners Are Already in Your Kitchen
We spend so much money on branded oven sprays that promise results — but come with warnings longer than the instructions.
But the truth is:
The best oven cleaner might already be in your fridge and under your sink.
No scary labels.
No gas masks.
Just lemon, vinegar, and a little elbow grease (okay, barely any).
So next time you open your oven and cringe at the charred chaos inside…
Don’t reach for the chemical spray.
Reach for the vinegar .
Reach for the lemon .
Make the mix.
Because sometimes, the difference between a grimy oven and a sparkling one…
Isn’t in the scrubbing.
It’s in the solution.
And once you see how well it works?
You’ll never go back to the toxic stuff again.
