I've had pretty similar experiences with homemade cleaners, especially when flipping houses. Lemon juice and baking soda are my go-to for quick wipe-downs and freshening up surfaces—works wonders on countertops, sinks, and even fridge interiors. But yeah, ovens... they're a whole different beast.
A couple months ago, I was prepping a house for sale and the oven looked like it hadn't been cleaned since the 90s. Tried the lemon-baking soda paste overnight trick too, but honestly, it barely scratched the surface. I even tried adding vinegar to see if that fizzing action would help loosen things up—no luck. After about an hour of scrubbing (and some serious reconsideration of my life choices), I finally caved and grabbed a can of oven cleaner spray from the hardware store.
I wasn't thrilled about using chemicals either, but man, did it save me time and sanity. Sprayed it on, waited about 15 minutes, and wiped away years of baked-on grease like it was nothing. Definitely not something I'd use every day, but for those once-in-a-blue-moon deep cleans, it's hard to beat.
One thing I've found helpful though—after using store-bought cleaners—is wiping everything down afterward with a damp cloth dipped in water mixed with a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil. It helps neutralize that harsh chemical smell and leaves the kitchen smelling fresh again.
For regular maintenance though, I'm still team homemade all the way. It's cheap, easy to whip up whenever you need it, and you don't have to worry about breathing in fumes or wearing gloves every time you clean. Plus, there's something satisfying about mixing your own cleaning solutions... feels like you're doing a mini science experiment right in your kitchen.
I've run into similar oven nightmares myself—homemade cleaners just don't cut it for those heavy-duty jobs. One thing I've wondered about though is steam cleaning. I've heard some people swear by placing a bowl of water in a hot oven to loosen grime before scrubbing. Has anyone here actually tried that method, and if so, did it make a noticeable difference? I'm curious if it's worth the effort or just another cleaning myth...
"I've heard some people swear by placing a bowl of water in a hot oven to loosen grime before scrubbing."
I can confirm this method isn't just another cleaning myth. I've tackled my fair share of oven disasters—think baked-on lasagna spills and exploded sweet potatoes—and steam cleaning has genuinely made a noticeable difference for me. The key is patience and timing.
Here's what I usually do: First, remove any loose crumbs or burnt bits from the oven. Then, place a heat-safe bowl or baking dish filled halfway with water on the middle rack. Heat the oven to about 400°F (around 200°C) and let it run for roughly 20-30 minutes. After turning it off, leave the door closed for another 15 minutes or so to let the steam really penetrate and loosen the grime.
When you open the door afterward, you'll notice the grime has softened considerably, making it much easier to wipe away with a damp cloth or sponge. For stubborn spots, I sometimes sprinkle baking soda on them right after steaming and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping again. The combination usually does wonders.
Now, I won't pretend it's a magic bullet—it still requires some elbow grease—but it's significantly easier than scrubbing cold, hardened residue. Plus, it's chemical-free and budget-friendly, which is always a bonus. I've also found that regular steam treatments (once every couple of months) help prevent heavy build-up in the first place.
So, don't be discouraged if homemade cleaners haven't worked for you yet; sometimes it's about finding the right technique rather than a specific product. Give steam cleaning a try—you might be pleasantly surprised at how effective something so simple can be.
I've tried the steam method a couple of times myself, and yeah, it definitely helps loosen things up. But honestly, I've found it depends a lot on how bad the oven is. If it's just normal cooking residue, steam and baking soda usually do the trick without much fuss. But if you're dealing with something truly catastrophic (like the time my wife forgot the Thanksgiving turkey in there for an extra hour and it turned into a charcoal sculpture 😂), sometimes store-bought oven cleaners are just way quicker and more effective.
I've also noticed that some ovens seem to respond better than others to the steam method. Maybe it has something to do with how well the oven seals or the type of grime buildup? Not sure, just guessing here. I've seen ovens where the steam barely makes a dent and others where it practically melts the grime off.
One thing I'd caution about is leaving water in the oven too long or using too much heat. I once had a client who went overboard and ended up warping one of their oven racks—yeah, apparently that's possible. So moderation is key, I suppose.
Personally, I like to start with natural methods first because they're cheap and chemical-free, but I'm not opposed to grabbing a can of oven cleaner if things get really nasty. Sometimes convenience wins out, especially after a long day when you just want to get the job done quick and easy.
Had a similar experience with a client's oven once—steam barely touched the baked-on gunk, even after multiple tries. Ended up using a store-bought spray cleaner to save time. Guess sometimes you just gotta pick your battles, right?
