Plenty of ovens have a self-cleaning option and if that fits you, it fits you. However, if you’re worried about your oven getting that hot (usually 500 degrees or higher) and have stuck on layers that could cause smoke – you may want to consider cleaning your oven manually. It uses less energy and keeps your home from getting hot.

There are options when it comes to cleaning your oven.

I’ll be walking through a natural option that may involve a little more time, but can be done with items you probably already have at the house. It will give you a similar clean to using a heavy-duty product.

When to choose to clean your oven is up to how your oven is performing and how often you use it. If there’s something stuck on that smokes each time you use it – it’s time. If you use it most evenings, you might consider cleaning it every month to two months. Like with most things in life, tasks like this can get away from you, but just do it when you think of it. If it gets done sometimes, I think that’s better than never, right?

You can clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar. Here’s a great breakdown from a cooking site on how to do this option well!

You can also clean with lemons, which is what I chose to do. I always have lemons and the smell is unmatched – except maybe for limes.

It’s so easy!

• Preheat your oven to 250 – 300 degrees (whatever you’re feeling!)
• Grab an oven-safe container and fill it with boiling water.
• Cut some lemons and put them in the container. You can use at least two, more if you have extra, but you don’t need to.
• Place the container into the oven.
• Leave for at least an hour. Then after turning the oven off, leave the door ajar so the oven can cool.
• After time has passed and you can carefully test to see that it is warm to the touch but doesn’t burn you – you’re ready to begin. Remove the lemon water container and grab some gloves. Take some cloths you don’t mind to get dirty, or an you can use an old t-shirt and cut it in to rags to wipe down the oven. A strong scrubber will work too!  Wipe the inside of the oven with caution to avoid the bottom heating unit (if you have one). Wait a bit more time to clean underneath the unit.
• Once you’re done, and the oven has cooled, you can go back to beneath the heating unit. If there are still some tough areas, wet the area and add some baking soda. Then use some elbow grease to scrub out the issue area.

More Kitchen Cleaning Ideas!

Now your oven is ready for your next delicious meal!

We love these affordable, natural options for cleaning. You don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals around your kids or animals – or even yourself! With a little extra time, you have a healthy clean and you can feel fine putting food back into that oven without harm.