Cleaning the oven can be one of the worst chores in the home as no one wants to spend hours scrubbing at stuck-on grease. However, it turns out the Victorians discovered an easier and effortless way to remove oven stains.
The Weald & Downland Living Museum has shared that baking soda was first introduced in 1846, and Victorians quickly discovered it was incredibly useful outside baking cakes. They said: “Baking soda was seen as a multi-purpose cleaning agent. Used to scrub ovens, polish silverware, and clean copper pans. It became an essential household item, primarily because it was new and exciting and seemed to work.”
The Museum experts added: “Much like how modern homeowners might turn to a trusty product out of habit, Victorian housewives swore by the wonders of baking soda.”
Baking soda is still incredibly effective at cleaning as it is mildly alkaline, which means it can dissolve acidic grease, oil, burned food, and other common oven stains.
It is also abrasive, which physically helps loosen tough stains without scratching the surface. It is also very absorbent, banishing any odours and helping your kitchen smell fresher.
Unlike many modern-day commercial cleaners, baking soda is not toxic, making it perfect for anyone who prefers to use a natural cleaning method rather than a product with harsh chemicals.
How to clean an oven with baking soda
To begin, remove any oven racks or other items inside the oven and place them in the sink. Fill the basin with hot, soapy water and leave them to soak.
Prepare the oven by gently wiping the surface with a damp cloth to remove any crumbs or food particles.
Next, mix together roughly 120g of baking soda with a few tablespoons of hot water until it forms a paste.
Aim for a consistency resembling cake batter, thick enough to cover stains but not dried out.
Then, use your hands or a sponge to spread the baking soda paste all over the inside of the oven, avoiding the heating element.
Let the baking soda sit for a few hours or overnight, if possible, to give the cleaning solution time to break down the grease.
Once the time is up, use a wet cloth to wipe away the dried baking soda in the oven, and stains should easily come away.
If the stains are still stubborn, let the baking soda sit for longer or add a few stops of white vinegar if you have any. White vinegar and baking soda will fizz when mixed together, which should help lift any remaining grime.
Give the oven a final wipe to remove any baking soda residue, which should be sparkling clean. Add the racks back to the oven and ensure they are completely dry before switching the oven on again.