Oven Cleaner

Oven Cleaner

🌱 A natural oven cleaning system for grease, baked-on grime and oven residue

 

This recipe is for a simple, alkaline cleaning paste that forms the foundation of many DIY oven-cleaning routines.

It’s designed to loosen grease, baked-on food and general grime so it can be wiped or scrubbed away. On its own, it works well for regular maintenance and lighter build-up. For heavier jobs, it’s best used as part of a broader cleaning approach.

 

What this paste does 

This paste is alkaline, which means it’s good at breaking down grease and food residue. It is:

  • Effective on greasy, baked-on mess
  • Safe for regular use when applied correctly
  • Simple to make and easy to adjust

It is not:

  • A one-step solution for every oven
  • Designed to dissolve heavy carbon build-up instantly
  • A replacement for soaking, heat or mechanical cleaning where needed

 

How this paste fits in

This paste is a starting point, not a complete oven-cleaning solution on its own.

I use it as part of a broader oven-cleaning process, especially for regular maintenance and loosening grease. For tougher jobs — like heavy carbon build-up, oven racks and trays, or stubborn staining on oven glass — I bring in a few other products and methods to get the job done properly.

👉 See the Oven Cleaning Guide for a full, step-by-step approach, including the other products I use and how I decide what to use based on the condition of the oven.

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Recipe & Instructions

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Coconut Soap Flakes
  • ½ cup Washing Soda
  • ½ cup Borax
  • 3–4 cups water


Makes

Approximately 1 to 1.5 litres of cleaning paste


Method

  1. Add all dry ingredients to a large heatproof bowl.
  2. Carefully pour over boiling water, stirring continuously until fully dissolved.
  3. Allow the mixture to cool — it will thicken as it sets.
  4. Once cool, blitz with a stick blender or mash until smooth and creamy.
  5. Transfer to a container with a lid.


Important Use Notes

  • This is an alkaline cleaner, so a little goes a long way.
  • Avoid aluminium and painted or varnished surfaces.
  • Always spot test on delicate or unfamiliar materials.

Optional: Supercharging the Paste (Use-Time Only)

For tougher jobs, you can boost the paste at the time of use only.

  1. Scoop out the amount you need into a separate bowl.
  2. Add 1–2 teaspoons of sodium percarbonate.
  3. Add boiling water slowly until it bubbles and activates.
  4. Apply, scrub, then rinse well.

⚠️ Do not store paste that has been activated with percarbonate. Discard leftovers after use.

Do I need to ventilate the area while using this paste?
Yes, it’s always a good idea to ventilate when cleaning an oven. Opening a window or running an exhaust fan helps keep fresh air moving through the space. That said, this paste does not release fumes in the way commercial oven cleaners do. It’s not producing gases or vapours, and unless you’ve added essential oils, it won’t give off fragrance or fumes. Ventilation here is about comfort and airflow, not safety concerns.

Can I add essential oils to the paste?
You can, but it’s not recommended for oven cleaning. Essential oils don’t improve cleaning performance, and heat can intensify their smell. This recipe works perfectly well without them. The option to add oils simply shows how flexible the paste can be in other cleaning situations.

There’s a lot of mess - is that normal?
Yes. Oven cleaning is messy by nature. As grease and baked-on residue break down, the paste will loosen and spread. This is completely normal and part of the process. Having paper towels or cloths ready for wipe-out makes clean-up easier.

How do I clean oven racks?
Oven racks are best cleaned separately. Place them in the hottest water possible and add a couple of tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate. Let them soak for several hours or overnight. The grime will loosen and lift away, and you can finish with a bit of steel wool or a scouring pad to remove any remaining residue.
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