Oven doors are notorious for burnt-on grime that refuses to budge despite vigorous scrubbing. The internet is awash with DIY hacks and product suggestions, ranging from white vinegar and baking soda to all sorts of cleaning products from different brands.
Becca Dwyer, who is part of the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook group, was let down by five oven cleaning methods while assisting her mother. Fortunately, she stumbled upon a product that worked on even the most stubborn stains, leaving the oven door ‘sparkling’ once more. She shared her experience: “Hi. This is the glass from my mother’s oven door. I was cleaning her oven today as she can’t bend down.
“I’ve tried Pink Stuff paste, Elbow Grease cream, dishwasher tablet, aerial pod, also baking soda and vinegar, but nothing shifted it.”
Despite baking soda and vinegar is a popular cleaning duo, Dri-Pak experts say: “One thing that isn’t really the best solution, despite lots of internet tips, is to use bicarbonate of soda and then add white vinegar.
“The effect will be reduced because the acid white vinegar is neutralising the alkalinity of the baking soda, and it’s that which dissolves the grease.”
Becca ultimately found success with an unexpected yet straightforward alternative.
She exclaimed, “Someone then suggested soda crystals to me, and it worked so much better than anything I’ve tried. It’s now sparkling.”
Dri-Pak has given a ringing endorsement of the product, stating: “Soda crystals are excellent for dissolving grease and working on stubborn, burnt-on food.”
These versatile crystals can be applied either as a solution or in liquid form, left to act for 20 minutes, and then simply wiped clean. For more persistent stains, using dry soda crystals can provide a gentle abrasive action to remove any lingering dirt.
Soda crystals are not only effective but also economical, with online prices starting from just £3.60 at Big Green Smile, or you can get two 1kg bags for £4.58 from Ethical Superstore.
For those looking for an even more cost-effective option, liquid soda crystals are available on eBay for as little as £1.76, and Big Green Smile offers them for £2.05.