Oven Cleaner

GREEN CLEANING RECIPE

Grease and baked-on food often need more than a quick spray and wipe. This recipe turns your multi-purpose Cleaning Paste into a freshly mixed oven cleaner, helping soften greasy residue so it is easier to scrub and remove.

The paste provides soap and alkalinity, while sodium percarbonate adds oxygen-based cleaning action. You can use ingredients already in your cleaning toolkit, without buying another specialised product.

Expect some scrubbing, particularly on old, heavily burnt deposits. Cleaning regularly makes the job more manageable.

Back to blog

The Recipe

Ingredient(s)

  • Prepared Cleaning Paste
    1/4 cup
  • Sodium percarbonate
    1 tablespoon
  • Boiling water
    1-2 tablespoons

Use prepared Cleaning Paste, rather than the dry Cleaning Paste Mix. Make only what you need for the cleaning session.

What to do

  1. Switch it off and allow it to cool completely. Remove the racks and loose food debris. Check your oven manual to confirm which surfaces can be cleaned with an alkaline cleaner.
  2. Place the Cleaning Paste in a large, open, heatproof bowl. Carefully stir in the boiling water until smooth.
  3. Allow the mixture to cool to warm before stirring in the sodium percarbonate. It may foam and expand, so keep the bowl uncovered. Use promptly.
  4. Wearing gloves, spread a thin layer over the greasy areas using a sponge or soft brush. Keep it away from heating elements, fans, vents, door seals and aluminium parts. Test a small area first.
  5. Allow a short contact time, start with 10–15 minutes, keeping the paste damp. Gently work over the residue with a non-scratch sponge suitable for the surface. Repeat on stubborn areas rather than scrubbing aggressively.
  6. Wipe away the loosened grime and paste with a damp cloth. Wipe repeatedly with clean water until no cleaner remains, then dry. Remove all residue before using the oven again.

Good to know

Safety and handling
  • Avoid breathing in percarbonate dust and prevent contact with eyes and skin.
  • Keep children and pets away while mixing and cleaning.
  • Never seal or store the mixture once percarbonate has been added. It can release oxygen and build pressure inside a closed container.
  • Do not mix with vinegar, citric acid, chlorine bleach or other cleaning products.
  • Avoid aluminium, painted surfaces and specialist oven coatings. Do not apply to catalytic liners or use during a self-cleaning cycle.
Why add sodium percarbonate?

Cleaning Paste helps loosen grease and lift dirt. When dissolved in water, sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate, adding oxidising and alkaline cleaning action. It can help with food staining and stubborn organic residue, but it will not dissolve every burnt deposit.

Why let the boiling water cool before adding percarbonate?

The boiling water helps soften the prepared paste. Percarbonate does not need boiling water to work, and excessive heat speeds up its breakdown. Letting the mixture cool to warm also makes mixing and application easier to handle.

Can I make a jar and keep it for next time?

No. Store your plain Cleaning Paste separately and add percarbonate only when you are ready to clean. Never return the mixed oven cleaner to your original jar.

Can I use it on oven-door glass?

Only if your oven manufacturer permits this type of cleaner. Apply to cool glass, test first and use a soft, non-scratch sponge. Keep the mixture away from seals, trim and openings between the glass panels.

Can I leave it overnight?

Start with a short contact time instead. The paste can dry into a residue that is harder to remove, while the percarbonate loses activity over time. Repeat the process with a fresh small batch if needed.

Will it remove thick, black burnt-on residue?

It may soften some build-up, but heavily carbonised deposits can need repeated cleaning or a manufacturer-approved method. Avoid sharp tools or aggressive scouring that could damage the oven finish.

Can I add essential oils?

Leave them out for oven cleaning. They are unnecessary for this recipe and can leave fragrance behind.

Shop what you need, all in one spot.