How to Clean an Oven With Vinegar & Water

You rely on your oven to be available to you when you need it. Over time, oven interiors can become dingy, greasy and even coated in drippings that could become a fire hazard. By regularly cleaning the inside of your oven, you can maximize its uptime and ensure your safety. Fortunately, it's fairly simple to get your oven clean with water and white vinegar.

Whenever cleaning your oven, be certain that it is cool to the touch before you begin. Wait several hours after your oven or stove was last used before you begin to clean.

In addition, unplug the appliance from the wall before you attempt to clean it. If you cannot reach the outlet or want to be extra cautious, you can turn power off to the oven at the circuit breaker. Especially if you will be using water to clean the oven, you need to be sure it is not live and could not be turned on.

Instruct young children who might be present while you clean your oven that it's unsafe to ever touch the inside of the appliance without an adult present. Ideally, this project should be undertaken when little ones are not present.

To clean an oven with water and vinegar, first mix a solution of half warm water, half white vinegar in a bucket or dishpan. CNET recommends you could use a spray bottle of water and vinegar as a means of application. You can also try a sponge or microfiber cloth to apply the mixture to the inside of the oven. If you have tough grease or food buildup that must be dealt with, allow the vinegar solution to sit on the interior of the oven for 10 minutes to begin the dissolution process.

Wipe away the grime inside your oven with your sponge or cloth, scrubbing as necessary. Be sure to rinse your cleaning tool regularly to ensure you are not simply moving dirt and food around inside the oven. Change out sponges or cloths partway through the cleaning process, if need be, to ensure a clean surface to scrub the oven.

The best oven cleaner for baked-on grease may just be the above-outlined water and vinegar solution and a bit of baking soda. Martha Stewart suggests that you create a paste of water and baking soda and apply it to the inside of your oven. Allow it to sit for several minutes. Then, scrub in a circular motion with a cloth or sponge, allowing the abrasiveness of the baking soda to remove food waste buildup.

Then, use your water and vinegar solution to clear away the baking soda paste. You will likely need to wring out your cloth or sponge several times, as the baking soda paste is very gritty and thick and may be resistant to coming off your cleaning implements.

When it comes to answering the question, "what's the best homemade oven cleaner?" vinegar is a clear winner. It is all-natural and nontoxic. Paired with water and baking soda, if needed, you have a safe and inexpensive alternative to potentially harmful chemicals that are commercially produced.