Cleaning & Home

How to clean an oven with baking soda and vinegar

Baked-on grease does not need a harsh cleaner. Here is the step-by-step with baking soda and vinegar, what it handles and where it falls short.

By the Vida no Bolso team · Updated on November 2, 2026

An oven with burnt grease on the floor and walls makes you want to grab the strongest product on the shelf. Before you do, try a cheap method with no chemical smell that handles everyday grime: baking soda paste and vinegar.

Does it really work?

It works well on splatters, roasting grease and the thin crust from normal use. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and, as a damp paste, it softens grease over time. Vinegar helps lift the residue and cut the smell. The fizz you see when the two meet is carbon dioxide, and it does not clean any better because of it.

On old grease, burnt on in several layers, the result is often partial. In that case, repeat the process instead of using more force.

What you will need

• 3 tablespoons of baking soda
• Water, just enough to make a paste (about 2 to 3 tablespoons)
• White vinegar in a spray bottle
• A soft sponge, a silicone spatula and two damp cloths
• Gloves

Step by step

1. Oven off and cold. Take out the racks, trays and thermometer.
2. Make the paste. Mix the baking soda with water until it looks like toothpaste.
3. Spread it. Cover the dirty areas, avoiding electric heating elements, burners and gas outlets.
4. Let it sit. Overnight is ideal. For light grime, an hour or two.
5. Scrape. Use the silicone spatula and a damp cloth to lift the paste and loosened grease.
6. Spray vinegar on the whitish leftovers. It will foam a little. Go over it with the sponge.
7. Rinse. Wipe with a clean damp cloth as many times as needed until no residue is left, and leave the door open to air out.

Racks and the door glass

Racks come clean best when soaked: put them in the sink or tub with very hot water, dish soap and a cup of baking soda for about an hour, then scrub. On the door glass, spread the paste, wait around 30 minutes and wipe with a damp cloth. I believe the ideal time varies with how dirty it is, so watch and repeat if needed.

How to keep it cleaner next time

• Use roasting pans with sides and lids when you can, to cut splatter.
• Wipe splatters with a damp cloth as soon as the oven cools. Fresh grease comes off in minutes.
• Do a quick clean every few weeks. A little buildup needs only a little paste.

When it does not work

If the crust is still hard after two rounds, the next step is a commercial oven cleaner, following the label, with gloves and a window open. The paste is still a good first try, because it costs little and rarely damages anything.