The headline “Here’s a simple old-fashioned trick for cleaning an oven” isn’t necessarily misleading, but it’s often used as clickbait. Many traditional oven-cleaning methods can work, though they’re not always the fastest or most effective.
One common old-fashioned method is:
Baking soda paste
- Mix about ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to make a spreadable paste.
- Spread it over the inside of the oven, avoiding the heating elements.
- Let it sit for several hours or overnight.
- Wipe it away with a damp cloth or sponge.
- If any baking soda residue remains, wipe with a little diluted vinegar to help remove it.
This method is effective because baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps loosen baked-on grease.
A few tips:
- Avoid using abrasive scrubbers on self-cleaning or delicate oven interiors unless the manufacturer says they’re safe.
- Don’t mix baking soda with bleach or commercial oven cleaners.
- If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as manual cleaning methods may not be recommended for all surfaces.
If the article recommends a different “old-fashioned trick,” paste it here and I can tell you whether it’s likely to work and whether it’s safe.
