Cleaning the oven is a tough job but it becomes even harder when there is burnt on grease – but there is a simple cleaning hack which will get rid of it
Cleaning the oven is often the most gruelling of household tasks, with stubborn burn marks that refuse to vanish, no matter how much elbow grease you put in. Food and grease splatters become a baked-on mess due to the high temperatures, turning into a sticky nightmare.
This hardened residue traps food particles every time you cook, creating an almost adhesive grime that is tough to tackle as many cleaners fail to cut through the grease. But fear not, the cleaning gurus at Oven Detailing have divulged a natural, but highly effective, method to swiftly cut through grease: the humble cornstarch.
They shared: “Cornstarch is a common kitchen staple that, when combined with other natural cleaners, can effectively help lift and absorb grease from your oven’s surfaces.
“It’s non-toxic, gentle, and safe to use, making it an excellent alternative to harsh chemical degreasers.”
Cornstarch possesses remarkable absorbency, which means when you dust it over grease spots, it sponges up the oil to aid in loosening the mark, reports the Express. What’s more, cornstarch can also enhance the strength of other cleaning solutions like lemon juice, white vinegar or baking soda by thickening the mix.
This thickened solution clings to stubborn stains such as baked-in grease, easing the removal process. Cornstarch works its magic by softening the greasy layers so they no longer stick to the oven surfaces whilst boosting the stain-penetrating power of other cleansers, ensuring you can clean your oven without any vigorous scrubbing.
How to clean an oven using cornstarch
You will need:
- Cornstarch
- White vinegar or lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Soft cloth or sponge
Method
To start, mix two tablespoons of cornflour with warm water to create a thick paste. Next, add one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of lemon juice or white vinegar.
Stir everything together and then apply the paste to any greasy marks on your oven. Ensure to fully cover greasy areas but avoid applying to the heating element as it could cause damage.
Then, let the mixture sit for 15 to 30 minutes in the oven to allow the cornflour more time to soak up the grease.
Once the time is up, use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe away the grease stains. They should now be loose and very easy to remove, but if there’s any resistance, then let the paste sit for a longer period of time such as overnight.
When the grease is gone, use another wet cloth to remove any leftover paste and then wipe down the oven to dry it. Your oven should now be spotless without having to scrub so you don’t have to dread cleaning your oven ever again.
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