What is a safe alternative to using oven cleaner to clean my oven?

Question

I know that the chemicals in oven cleaners are bad to be around when your pregnant, but i really need to clean my oven! I refuse to harm my baby and use chemicals so is their any safe way to clean it? i have heard of vinegar and water or something like that, anyone know what im talking about? please help, im desperate to clean! thanks:)

Answer 1

Make a paste with baking soda and a little water, and rub it on the oven. Let it sit - overnight if you can, but the longer the better. It will have to sit longer than the spray cleaners, and those usually say to sit for 2 hours. When it has loosened the grime, scrub it with steel wool and then wipe it out with a clean, wet cloth. Then, as someone else said, line it with foil so it doesn't get dirty again!

You might also try putting a bowl or pan of vinegar in the oven, and heating it until it steams up the oven really well. This will probably help loosen the baked-on crud. I've never tried it in the oven, but it works really well in the microwave. Your house will stink for a long time though.

Answer 2

For really heavy stains try club soda and let it sit. Lemon is good too.

Also if you can find it PURE orange oil, I used it when I worked in an industrial kitchen it will strip it for sure, and it is perfectly safe and food safe (well if you drank a large quantity it would likely make you sick). Sadly "orange oil" became trendy and it is now hard to find the real deal, instead you find a small amount mixed in with toxic cleaners sold as "orange oil cleaners"

Baking soda isn't advisable as it may scratch, however if your oven is old and already lost it's shine go for it.

Another thing that may work is a steam cleaner. I've always wanted to try one. I hear they work great.

Answer 3

Buying a new oven takes care of the problem for you. I use a degreaser, and a soft scouring pad, and then if anymore needs to be done, or more abrasive action is needed, then baking soda, or even a little comet, also. Whe I am done, to get rid of anything that may be harmful afterwards, I use an all surface cleaner (mainly soap...non-toxic) and wipe all the areas again.

Answer 4

Vinegar can work, vinegar and a lot of elbow grease. I always get a friend (my hubby screws it up). Same with the cat litter, I offer my neighbors teenager 10 bucks to change the litter and 30 to clean the fridge. Her mom helps her with the oven and I take my kids to the park for awhile. She does a much better job then my hubby. When its done, line the lower rack with aluminum foil so that you can avoid cleaning it for the rest of the pregnancy.

Answer 5

baking soda and water! works like a charm -

here is what you do.. pour a nice layer of baking soda on the bottom of the oven - and then sprinkle water over it. let it stand overnight - and wake up in the morning and wipe it off with a cloth.

your oven should be looking much better!

Answer 6

Ask your husband (or another family member) to do it :)