USA High Times

How to Clean an Oven with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Linus Castillo
Inside view of a spotless oven with clean racks and tray after using baking soda and vinegar cleaning method

A clean oven interior with sparkling steel racks—achieved using a natural cleaning method with baking soda and vinegar.

Introduction

Oven looking like a crime scene? Burnt-on food, smoky smells, and greasy grime don’t just ruin your dinner—they quietly wear down your appliance over time. But here’s the good news: learning how to clean your oven doesn’t require harsh chemicals, expensive tools, or hours of scrubbing. In fact, the best solutions might already be in your kitchen.

Baking soda and white vinegar are more than just pantry staples—they’re powerful, natural cleaning agents that cut through oven grease without damaging the interior or triggering your smoke detector. These simple ingredients can restore shine to your oven door, racks, and even the heating elements—without introducing dangerous fumes or wrecking your skin.

According to The Kitchn, a paste made from baking soda and water is one of the safest, most effective methods for deep cleaning your entire oven. Add a little vinegar, and the fizzy reaction helps lift grime without the need for chemical oven cleaners.

This guide covers every effective method—from natural solutions to the self-cleaning oven feature, including the tools you’ll need, what not to do, and how to keep things spotless moving forward. Whether you’re cleaning up after a major roast or just staying ahead of the mess, you’ll walk away with the exact steps to make your oven clean and shiny again.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you jump into the actual cleaning process, it’s smart to gather everything in one place. You won’t need a dozen specialty tools—just a few common household items and optional extras if your oven’s in rough shape.

🧂 Ingredients:

🧰 Tools:

🧠 Pro tip: Always remove the oven racks and let the oven cool before cleaning. If you’re using the self-cleaning feature, check your manufacturer’s manual—each home appliance behaves a bit differently. KitchenAid explains it well.

🔐 Safety First:

🔗 Bonus: Watch It in Action

Here’s a quick, beginner-friendly demo that shows the full baking soda and vinegar method in action:

Method 1 – Clean Your Oven with a Baking Soda Paste

This is the go-to method for anyone who wants real results without resorting to commercial oven cleaners. Baking soda paste is safe, effective, and works wonders on the inside of the oven—even if it hasn’t been cleaned in months.

Step 1: Make the Paste

In a small bowl, mix about ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of warm water. Stir until you have a spreadable paste. You want it thick enough to cling to surfaces but smooth enough to apply easily.

Step 2: Apply the Paste to the Entire Oven

Remove the oven racks and set them aside (we’ll cover those soon). Using a sponge, cloth, or even your hands (gloves on), coat the surfaces of your oven—especially the back wall, bottom, and side panels—with the baking soda paste.

Avoid the heating elements, and don’t forget the inside of the oven door.

Let it sit for hours or overnight. The longer it rests, the easier the grime will come off.

Step 3: Wipe It Clean

After the paste has dried (it will likely turn brown or gray), use a damp cloth to wipe down all the surfaces. A plastic scraper or spatula helps lift off stubborn bits.

Step 4: Spray with Vinegar

Lightly mist any leftover residue with white vinegar using a spray bottle. The vinegar and baking soda will fizz up—this helps break down anything the paste missed. Wipe again with a clean, damp cloth to finish.

🧽 Cleaner tip: This method leaves your oven clean and shiny without filling your kitchen with chemical fumes.

🎥 Visual Walkthrough

Here’s another great video that shows a variation of this method using only baking soda and vinegar—perfect if you’re more of a visual learner:

Method 2 – Use Vinegar Steam for a Deep Clean

If your oven isn’t coated in baked-on disasters, a vinegar steam clean might be all you need. This method is quick, uses no abrasives, and is perfect for oven maintenance in between deeper scrubs.

Step 1: Prep the Vinegar Solution

Fill an oven-safe bowl with a mix of 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice for a fresher scent, or a splash of dish soap if the oven has visible oil residue.

Step 2: Steam the Entire Oven

Place the bowl on the middle rack of your empty oven. Close the door and set your oven to a low temperature—around 250°F (120°C)—for 30 to 45 minutes. As it heats, steam will loosen grime and soften grease buildup on all interior surfaces.

⚠️ Tip: Keep an eye on it. Do not use this method while your oven’s self-cleaning function is active.

Step 3: Let the Oven Cool Slightly and Wipe Down

Once the oven has cooled enough to touch safely (but is still warm), use a soft cloth or sponge to wipe the inside of the oven. The loosened debris should come off with minimal scrubbing. For tricky spots, spray a little extra vinegar solution and wipe again.

Method 3 – How to Clean the Oven Door Glass

The oven door glass is where splatters, oil mist, and sugar drips love to hang out. Over time, it clouds up and makes your whole oven look grimy—even if the interior is spotless. This method tackles it directly without scratching or using harsh chemicals.

Step 1: Make a Targeted Baking Soda Paste

In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with a few drops of warm water to form a thick, gritty paste. This version should be a little drier so it sticks to vertical surfaces.

Spread the paste over the glass door using your fingers or a soft sponge, avoiding the edges where the door seals.

Step 2: Let It Sit and React

Leave the paste in place for 15–20 minutes. During this time, it will break down the grease, light stains, and any dried food stuck to the surface.

Step 3: Spray with Vinegar and Gently Scrub

Spray the area with white vinegar using your spray bottle. As it reacts with the baking soda, it will bubble slightly—lifting more of the baked-on grime.

Use a soft cloth or microfiber towel to wipe clean. For tougher buildup, gently use a plastic scraper at a 45° angle. Never use anything metallic or sharp—it can scratch the glass.

Step 4: Final Polish

Once all residue is gone, give the oven glass a final wipe with warm water and a dry towel. If you want that extra shine, a quick swipe with glass cleaner finishes the job.

🔄 Maintenance tip: Wiping the inside of your oven door after every use (once it cools) makes deep cleaning less necessary in the long run.

Method 4 – Cleaning Oven Racks Separately

The oven racks take the worst of the mess: baked-on cheese, burnt sauce, and sticky oil all cling to them over time. Cleaning them inside the oven rarely works. The best approach? Take them out and treat them like dishware—with soaking and scrubbing.

Step 1: Remove the Racks

Slide the racks out of your oven and place them in a large sink, plastic tub, or bathtub lined with an old towel (to prevent scratching). This gives you space to fully soak and clean each steel or stainless steel rack.

Step 2: Soak with Dish Soap or Baking Soda

Fill the tub or sink with hot water, then add:

Let them soak for 4–8 hours, or overnight if they’re heavily coated.

Step 3: Scrub the Grime Off

After soaking, use a scrub brush, sponge, or an old toothbrush to remove loosened grease, grime, and food debris. For really stubborn areas, a sprinkle of baking soda on a wet sponge adds extra abrasion without scratching the metal.

Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a towel before placing them back inside the oven.

🧽 Optional Add-On: If you prefer, you can run oven racks through a dishwasher cycle—but only if the manufacturer confirms it’s safe for your home appliance model.

Method 5 – Use the Self-Cleaning Feature Safely

Most modern ovens come with a built-in self-cleaning function—but many people avoid using it. Why? It heats up to extreme temperatures, sometimes triggers the smoke detector, and can leave behind strong odors. Used correctly, though, it’s a powerful tool for tackling heavy buildup.

Step 1: Understand What the Self-Cleaning Cycle Does

The self-cleaning oven feature works by raising the oven temperature to around 880°F (470°C). This incinerates grease, grime, and food particles into ash, which you can wipe away after it cools.

Refer to your oven’s manual—some models use steam cleaning at lower temps instead.

🔗 Here’s a clear guide from Home Depot explaining self-cleaning cycles by oven type.

Step 2: Prep the Oven

Step 3: Run the Self-Clean and Let It Cool

Start the cycle. It usually takes 2 to 5 hours, depending on your oven model. The door will lock automatically for safety.

After it completes, wait until the oven has fully cooled before wiping out the ash with a soft cloth or paper towel.

⚠️ Caution: Never use oven cleaner or baking soda paste inside a self-cleaning oven before running the cycle—it can damage the coating and heating elements.

Optional: Commercial Oven Cleaners (When You’re in a Hurry)

Sometimes the mess is too baked-in—or you just don’t have the time to wait overnight. That’s where commercial oven cleaners come in. While they’re effective, they come with trade-offs: strong odors, chemical residue, and potential damage if used incorrectly.

Step 1: Choose the Right Product

Look for products labeled:

Popular brands like Easy-Off and Zep are widely used, but always check the label. Never use them on heating elements or stainless steel oven walls unless clearly stated as safe.

Step 2: Apply in a Well-Ventilated Area

Spray the oven cleaner evenly inside the entire oven, including the back, sides, and oven door glass. Avoid getting product on the rubber door seal or exposed wires.

Wear gloves and keep windows open—even “fume-free” versions can irritate your lungs.

Step 3: Let It Sit, Then Wipe Thoroughly

Let the cleaner sit for the time listed on the label—usually 20 minutes to 2 hours. Then wipe with a damp cloth or sponge, followed by a final rinse using warm water.

⚠️ Tip: Any leftover residue can release fumes during your next bake. Make sure you rinse with a damp cloth several times.

This method is fast and strong, but not for everyday use. Rely on it when all else fails or you’re prepping for a deep clean before a move or holiday meal.

Pro Tips for Ongoing Oven Maintenance

You don’t need to deep clean your oven every week—but a little attention after heavy use goes a long way. These tips will help reduce buildup, prevent smoke, and make each future clean easier.

Wipe the Inside After Big Meals

Once your oven cools (but is still slightly warm), use a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a few drops of dish soap to wipe away any splatters. This prevents grime from baking on during the next use.

Catch Spills Before They Stick

Place a sheet of foil or a silicone oven liner on the rack under your food—not on the bottom of the oven, which can block airflow. This catches drips from roasts or pies before they burn into the surface.

Use the Steam Method Weekly

Even if you don’t do a full clean, a quick vinegar steam after every few uses can keep your oven smelling fresh and looking clean. Just follow the method we shared earlier using a spray bottle and vinegar solution.

Avoid Harsh Scrubbing on Surfaces

Don’t use steel wool or abrasive tools—they can damage oven surfaces, especially enamel coatings and glass doors. Stick to a plastic scraper, soft sponge, or old toothbrush.

Schedule a Self-Cleaning Cycle Every Few Months

If your oven supports it, run a self-cleaning cycle seasonally or after heavy cooking periods (holidays, meal preps). Just remember: never use additional cleaners before or during this function.

FAQs About Cleaning Your Oven

How often should I clean my oven?

For most households, a deep clean every 2–3 months is enough. If you bake often or roast greasy foods, clean monthly. Quick wipe-downs after messy meals can help reduce buildup in between.

Can I clean an oven with lemon juice instead of vinegar?

Yes. Lemon juice has natural acidity similar to vinegar. While not as powerful, it smells fresher and works well for light grease and odors when combined with warm water.

Is baking soda safe for all oven types?

Absolutely. Baking soda is non-toxic and safe for enamel, stainless steel, and most home appliance surfaces. Just avoid applying it to heating elements or electrical components.

Can I clean the oven door glass from the inside?

Yes. Use a baking soda paste or glass cleaner on the interior of the oven door glass. For between-the-glass cleaning, check if your door opens for internal access (some do, some don’t).

What’s the fastest way to clean an oven?

If you’re in a rush, try the vinegar steam method or a store-bought oven cleaner. Both can cut through surface messes quickly—but always ventilate and rinse with a damp cloth afterward.

Do I need to remove the racks before self-cleaning?

Usually, yes. Most manufacturers recommend removing oven racks during a self-cleaning cycle to prevent discoloration and warping. Always check your user manual.

Conclusion: The Best Way to Clean Your Oven

A spotless oven doesn’t require harsh sprays, expensive tools, or a service call. Whether you’re using a baking soda paste, vinegar steam, or the built-in self-cleaning feature, each method can be effective when used at the right time and with the right tools.

If you want a clean oven without the fumes and scrubbing marathon, natural methods like baking soda and vinegar are often the best balance of effort and safety. For deep grime, occasional help from commercial cleaners or a self-clean cycle makes sense—as long as you follow precautions.

The key is consistency. Wipe the inside of your oven after messy meals. Soak your oven racks periodically. And when the grime builds up? Now you’ve got a complete guide to handle it.

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