Here’s a great trick you probably didn’t know about to clean your oven.

Many “secret oven cleaning hacks” are just variations of a few methods that actually work. One of the simplest is:

Baking soda + water paste

1. Mix about ½ cup of baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste.
2. Spread it over the inside of the cool oven, avoiding heating elements.
3. Let it sit for several hours or overnight.
4. Wipe it away with a damp cloth.
5. If any baking soda residue remains, spray lightly with white vinegar—it will fizz and help loosen it—then wipe clean.

For stubborn baked-on grease:

• Use a plastic scraper (not metal) to lift residue.
• Repeat the process on heavily soiled areas if needed.

If your oven has a self-cleaning cycle, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove racks first if recommended, ventilate the kitchen well, and keep pets away during the cycle because it generates very high heat.

Avoid mixing cleaning products such as bleach and ammonia or bleach and vinegar, as these combinations can produce hazardous gases.

Despite social media claims, there isn’t a single “magic” ingredient that cleans every oven instantly. The most effective method depends on how much grease and carbon buildup is present.