Natural Cleaners Are Great, But Sometimes You Gotta Go Nuclear
I totally get the struggle. Last year, I tried to save a few bucks and went full DIY with baking soda and vinegar on my oven. It looked like a science fair volcano, but the baked-on cheese didn’t budge. My wallet was happy, but my arms were not—scrubbing for an hour straight is not my idea of fun.
Here’s my “budget homeowner” routine:
1. Try the natural stuff first—baking soda paste, vinegar spray, maybe a little lemon if I’m feeling fancy.
2. If it still looks like a pizza crime scene, I pull out the store-bought cleaner (the kind that makes you open every window in the house).
3. Air it out while I question my life choices and swear I’ll never let it get that bad again.
Honestly, I wish natural cleaners worked every time, but sometimes you gotta pick your battles...and your cleaning products.
Honestly, I hear you on the “science fair volcano” thing. Baking soda and vinegar are fine for light jobs, but once that oven’s got layers of burnt-on stuff, you’re just wasting elbow grease. In my experience,
Couldn’t agree more. For heavy-duty messes, a proper degreaser is just faster and less frustrating. Just be sure to rinse everything well—some of those commercial cleaners can leave residue if you’re not careful.“sometimes you gotta pick your battles...and your cleaning products.”
I get what you mean about the “science fair volcano” approach. My first rental had an oven that looked like it had survived a small fire, and baking soda barely made a dent.
That stuck with me. I’ve tried a few store-bought degreasers since, but I always worry about what’s left behind after rinsing. Has anyone found a cleaner that actually works but doesn’t leave that weird chemical smell?“sometimes you gotta pick your battles...and your cleaning products.”
I swear by a paste of baking soda and a splash of hydrogen peroxide for oven grime. It doesn’t smell like a chemical spill, and it actually works if you let it sit for a bit. Still takes some elbow grease, but at least your kitchen won’t reek.
I’ve tried the baking soda and peroxide combo, but honestly, it still took a ton of scrubbing for me. Ever tried just straight vinegar and steam? I’ve found that loosens up the gunk faster, but the smell isn’t for everyone. Wonder if I’m just impatient or missing a trick with the paste...
