Cleaning & Organizing Cleaning Supplies DIY Oven Cleaner If you don't have a self-cleaning oven (which burns off residue at very high temperatures), try this eco-friendly solution instead. By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 25, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email From sauces that bubbled over to drips of gooey cheese now burnt, your oven is a canvas for spills and splatters of all kinds. And when it comes to cleaning it, chances are you're, well, not. But tackling this appliance doesn't have to be a heavy lift, nor do you need to spend extra money on special cleaning products. In fact, all you need to make your oven sparkle again is baking soda and a few standard kitchen tools. For an extra fresh touch, try enhancing your homemade cleaner with two to three drops of essential oil. Tea tree oil, in particular, can act as a natural degreaser. How often you clean your oven will vary depending on how often you use it, but as a general rule, plan for a deep-clean every few months, or sooner if it smokes when in use. The technique below will help make the walls of your oven look like new. To clean oven racks, soak them in warm, soapy water for several hours (try a tub or utility sink if they won't fit in your kitchen sink). Scrub with a scouring pad, then rinse, and dry. As with many household chores, minimizing the time you spend deep cleaning all comes down to prevention. Top your oven racks with a few sheets of aluminum foil (never place foil on the bottom of the oven, which can cause a fire), especially if you anticipate a dish might spill over. If it does, wipe the stains immediately, before they have a chance to set. What You'll Need Materials Baking soda Water Plastic gloves Plastic spatula Sponge Instructions Mix a paste of baking soda and water. Coat the oven surfaces with the paste (avoiding bare metal and heating elements), let stand overnight. While wearing gloves, use a plastic spatula to remove the paste. Wipe away any remaining residue with a clean, wet sponge.