An All-Natural DIY Oven Cleaner That Really Works—No Fumes, No Chemicals

If you’re anything like me, residue from last fall’s apple pie drippings might still be dried onto the bottom of the oven. To scrub it off, you have a couple of options: good old-fashioned elbow grease, or using the self-cleaning mode (if your oven has one), which typically means it’ll heat up to 800–1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The latter isn’t exactly appealing when it’s still warm outside, and could even damage the oven.

Elbow grease it is. Now that pie-making season is around the corner, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get the job done. But don’t bother with conventional oven cleaner—the chemicals and fumes can literally be poisonous, potentially leading to issues like throat swelling and pain, vision loss, and organ damage. Yikes!

Know what can get the job done without the health hazards? Citrus, vinegar, and baking soda. Try this easy three-ingredient DIY that’ll dissolve oven stains fast.

DIY Oven Cleaner

Ingredients

Peels of 2 oranges or lemons
2 cups apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
Baking soda

Instructions

Combine citrus peels and vinegar in a mason jar and seal. Let sit 5 days. Transfer liquid to spray bottle.

Sprinkle baking soda all over inside of oven, and especially on grimy areas. Spray your oven cleaner onto surface—the baking soda and vinegar will react and bubble up, helping to lift baked-on food remnants. Wait 15 minutes. Wipe surface clean.