Natural Oven Cleaner Questions

**waterlover** · 07-12-2005, 11:20 AM

I did a search on FV and came up with the following: Mix Baking soda and Vinegar, make into a paste, apply and leave on over night. Clean the next day.

My questions: Is it best to have a hot, warm or cold oven when applying the paste?

What is your experience in using this combination as an oven cleaner?

And are there any other natural cleaners besides baking soda and vinegar that you have use with success and what was your method?

**bridge** · 07-12-2005, 11:53 AM

I'm not sure about ovens but I use the baking soda vinegar combo on my bath tub and it works great!!
I sprinkle bakingsoda allover my tub then spray with vinegar/water solution. Let set while I vaccum, then I take a scrub brush and scrub and rinse. It works very well!!

**waterlover** · 07-12-2005, 01:13 PM

bridge - Thats a great idea, I'll have to try that.

I'm trying to use natural cleaners, which at this point I'm using vinegar to clean almost everything, now adding baking soda to my minimual cleaning list is a great idea.

We moved into an apt. that doesn't have a self cleaning oven and I don't want to use store bought oven cleaner, even the fumeless.

**psjkmom** · 07-12-2005, 01:18 PM

I've used just baking soda mixed with a little h2o to clean an oven quite successfully. I left the paste on the cold oven overnight and scrubbed it the next am. It takes a little more elbow grease than the potent chemicals but worth it to keep the toxic stuff out of the house and our lungs!

**QuilterMom** · 07-12-2005, 05:33 PM

Here's what Clean House, Clean Planet: Clean Your House for Pennies a Day The Safe, Nontoxic Way by Karen Logan says.....

* Never Clean an Oven Again oven cleaner
Use an aluminum oven liner (look in the baking supplies section of your grocery store) or you can use a cookie sheet or aluminum foil.
An aluminum oven liner is a thin cookie sheet-like tray that you put in the bottom of your oven. It's the best option as cookie sheets and aluminum foil don't always stay in place.
If you use a cookie sheet and it gets crusted and icky, soak it overnight with a paste of baking soda and water - add a little dishwashing detergent if you wish. The next day just scrub the yuck off.
Effectiveness rating: 95%

* Sleep It Off oven cleaner
You'll need salt, baking soda, and a spray bottle of diluted liquid soap and water.
Start by plugging any holes in the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil. This will prevent anything from getting into the broiler area. Spray down the oven with plain water or dliluted liquid soap and water mixed. Mix the salt and baking soda together in a shaker (like an old Parmesan cheese can) and shake the mixture on. Spray the oven again with water until the mixture is slightly damp and pasty.
For the side walls, make a thick paste of 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup salt, and 3/4 cup baking soda. Smear the paste on the walls with a sponge. (Salt can corrode metal so try not to get the paste on any metal parts.)
Let sit overnight and in the morning have read a putty knife or other flat spatula-type scraper, green-backed sponges, fine steel wool (grade 0000), paper towels, a rag or sponge for rinsing and drying, spray bottle of soap and water, and a squirt bottle of vinegar (may scent with an essential oil if you like). Use the putty knife to scrape off the goop and pile it onto the paper towels. Use the green-backed sponges or steel wool to work off any stubborn spots (be gentle and don't rub off the enamel). Wipe down the oven with the soap and water spray (you may need to do a second rinse).
Finish off with a total oven squirt of vinegar (or scented vinegar) to dissolve any baking soda residue. Dry the oven. Take the foil out of any holes that you plugged.
Effectiveness rating: 75%