Keeping the stove and oven clean can be a real hassle, especially when dealing with stubborn grease. But fear not! With a few simple natural ingredients and some elbow grease, you can get your kitchen appliances sparkling clean in no time. As a former professional house cleaner turned DIY cleaning enthusiast, I’m here to share my top tips for cleaning and maintaining your stove and oven without harsh chemicals.

Gather Your Supplies

Before diving into cleaning, it’s essential to gather all the necessary supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Baking Soda: This powerhouse cleaner helps to break down grease and grime without scratching surfaces. Its alkaline properties make it the number one grease and oil stain solvent. 
  • White Vinegar: Vinegar is acidic and great for cutting through grease and deodorising.
  • Dish Soap: Opt for a mild dish soap to help lift grease from surfaces.
  • Microfibre Cloths or Sponge: These are gentle on surfaces and perfect for wiping away any oil-based residue.
  • Spray Bottle: Mix and apply your cleaning solution with a spray bottle.
  • Old Toothbrush: A toothbrush is excellent for getting into tight spaces and corners where grease can build up.
  • Rubber Gloves: Protect your hands from the cleaning solution and grease.

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’re ready to tackle the grease!

A frying pan with some food cooking on a stove

How To Remove The Grease From Your Stove

Start by removing any grates, burner caps, and knobs. Place them in a sink filled with hot, soapy water to soak while you clean the rest of the stove.

Next, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stovetop surface. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps loosen grease and grime. Let the baking soda sit for a few minutes to work its magic.

While the baking soda sits, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar solution over the baking soda-covered areas of your stove. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, creating a foaming action that helps lift grease away.

Using a microfibre cloth or sponge, scrub the stovetop surface, focusing on any areas with stubborn residue buildup. Use circular motions to work the baking soda and vinegar mixture into the grease, breaking it down and lifting it away.

Use an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar for stubborn spots or tight spaces to scrub away the grime.

Once you have thoroughly scrubbed the stovetop, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any remaining baking soda and vinegar residue. Rinse the cloth frequently to ensure you’re not spreading grease around.

Finally, rinse and dry the grates, burner caps, and knobs that have been soaking in hot, soapy water. Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble your stove and admire your sparkling clean appliance!

A flat frying pan on a gas stove

How To Remove Soot And Grease From Your Oven

Cleaning the oven can seem daunting, especially if you have neglected it for a while. But with the right approach, you can get your oven looking like new again!

Start by removing the oven racks and setting them aside to soak in hot, soapy water. It will help to loosen any baked-on grease and grime.

Next, make a paste using baking soda and water. The consistency should be similar to toothpaste. Spread the paste over the interior surfaces of your oven, focusing on areas with heavy grease buildup.

Once you have applied the baking soda paste, let it sit for at least 30 minutes or longer for stubborn stains and soot.

While the baking soda paste works its magic, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After the baking soda has had time to sit, spray the vinegar solution over the baking soda paste. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, causing it to foam and lift away grease and grime.

Using a damp microfibre cloth or sponge, scrub the oven surfaces, working the baking soda and vinegar mixture into any stubborn stains or grease spots. For tough, baked-on soot, you may need to use a bit of elbow grease to loosen it.

Once you’ve thoroughly scrubbed the oven interior, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any remaining baking soda and vinegar residue. Rinse the cloth frequently to ensure you’re not spreading grease around.

After cleaning the oven interior, rinse and dry the oven racks that have been soaking in hot, soapy water. Once everything is clean and dry, reassemble your oven and marvel at how clean it looks!

Maintaining a Clean Stove and Oven

Now that your stove and oven are sparkling clean, it’s essential to maintain them to prevent grease buildup in the future. Here are a few tips to help keep your appliances clean:

  • Wipe up spills promptly: Don’t let spills and splatters sit on the stove or oven surfaces. Wipe them up as soon as they occur to prevent them from baking on the surfaces and becoming difficult to remove.
  • Regularly clean burner grates and oven racks: Make it a habit to clean your burner grates and oven racks frequently to prevent grease buildup.
  • Use a splatter guard: When cooking greasy foods like bacon or fried chicken, use a splatter guard to prevent grease from splattering onto your stove and oven surfaces.
  • Deep clean periodically: Plan to deep-clean your stove and oven at least once a month to keep them looking their best.

By following these tips and using natural materials, you can keep your stove and oven looking clean and grease-free without harsh chemicals. So roll up your sleeves, put on your rubber gloves, and get ready to tackle that grease! Your sparkling, clean kitchen awaits!