In a surprising breakthrough, cleaning guru Kacie Stephens is letting us in on her secret for tackling tough oven stains – and it doesn’t require harsh chemicals.
Brace yourselves, because the unsung hero in this domestic hack is none other than a common pumice stone, typically associated with smoothing calloused feet.
Stephens showcased the power of her cleaning hack by effortlessly scrubbing away layers of grime from the bottom of a neglected oven.
“This is a professional cleaner’s tip for removing the build-up on the bottom of your oven,” she said in a video posted to social media.
“A pumice stone or stick is a must have for your cleaning kit whether you’re a professional cleaner or someone cleaning your own home.”
However, the brilliance doesn’t end there, according to Stephens, this unassuming stone isn’t limited to oven duties alone.
“The stone will scrape off build-up in your oven and the limescale on the bottom of a toilet bowl,” she said.
“The alternative to this is a razor blade but this is a much more entry level method… Get yourself one.”
The response from the cleaning community was swift, with users taking to social media to express their gratitude and admiration.
While harnessing the power of a pumice stone seems to work wonders, remember to use the stone when it’s wet to ensure a scratch-free cleaning experience.
Caution is key – steer clear of using this non-toxic method on glass and stainless steel. The pumice stone’s abrasiveness, while excellent for certain surfaces, can leave scratches on these materials. Stick to its wet application for porcelain and ceramic surfaces, and you’ll have a cleaning ally that keeps things sparkling without a trace of damage.
Stephens’ trick for doing away with oven grime isn’t the only hack wowing the cleaning community. In a video shared to TikTok, content creator Yagmur ingeniously employs a sliced lemon and a bowl of water to tackle the stubborn grime within an oven.
The process begins with placing a sliced lemon into a generous bowl of water. With the oven switched on, the bowl is carefully positioned inside the grimy appliance, allowing the lemon-infused water to work its magic. After around 20 minutes, the bowl is removed from the oven, and the now lemon-infused water is used with a microfiber cloth to wipe down the oven’s surfaces. The grime on both the oven door and interior lifts away, with the microfiber cloth collecting the remnants of old grease.
“This just saved my life,” Yagmur wrote alongside the video. “Natural oven cleaning hack. I will also clean my air fryer and microwave this way.”
Please note: It is essential to exercise caution when attempting any cleaning method involving electrical appliances. Always ensure the oven is switched off and follow proper safety protocols to minimise any risks.
If you’d rather skip both the pumice stone and the lemon steam, a baking soda paste remains one of the most tried-and-tested non-toxic oven cleaning methods around, and it’s worth having in your back pocket alongside the other two.
Mix around half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water until it forms a thick, spreadable paste. Spread it generously over the inside surfaces of the oven, avoiding heating elements, and leave it to sit for at least 12 hours, or overnight for the most stubborn buildup. Wipe away the paste with a damp cloth, using a plastic scraper for any remaining stuck-on residue, then go over the surface once more with a clean, damp cloth to remove any leftover powdery residue. For extra grime-cutting power, a light spray of white vinegar over the dried baking soda paste before wiping will cause a gentle fizzing reaction that helps lift grease further.
While these three hacks are excellent for tackling grime that’s already there, a little prevention goes a long way toward making your next clean considerably easier.
Use an oven liner or tray. A reusable oven liner placed on the base of the oven, or simply lining it with foil (checking your oven manufacturer’s guidelines first, as this isn’t suitable for every model), catches drips and spills before they bake onto the oven floor itself.
Wipe up spills while the oven is still warm, not hot. Once the oven has cooled to a safe, warm temperature after use, a quick wipe of any fresh spills is far easier than waiting for them to bake on repeatedly over multiple uses, hardening into the stubborn stains these hacks are designed to remove.
Check whether your oven has a self-cleaning function. Many modern ovens include a self-cleaning or pyrolytic cycle, which uses high heat to burn off grime into ash that’s easy to wipe away afterward. If your oven has this feature, it’s worth using it regularly rather than reaching for a pumice stone at all.
Comments 0
Join the conversation. Comments are reviewed before they appear.
Be the first to comment.
Join the conversation
Tell us who you are to post a comment. We'll remember you next time.