A simple “set it and loosen” steam trick can make oven grime much easier to wipe away—no heavy scrubbing at the start.
Here’s how it works:
Fill an oven-safe dish with hot water, then add a few tablespoons of baking soda and a sliced lemon (or a splash of vinegar if you don’t have lemons). Place it in the oven.
Heat the oven to about 180–200°C (350–400°F) for 20–30 minutes. The steam softens baked-on grease while the lemon helps cut odors.
Turn the oven off and let it cool just enough that it’s safe to open. You’ll notice the grime on the walls has loosened.
After that, just wipe everything down with a damp cloth or sponge. Stubborn spots usually come off with minimal effort instead of scraping.
It’s not magic, but it does turn a tough cleaning job into a much lighter one—especially if the oven hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
