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### **Step-by-Step Cleaning Process:**
#### **1. Empty and Preheat (if necessary)**
Before you get started, make sure your oven and stove are cool. Remove any oven racks, burner grates, or trays to make cleaning easier. If your oven has a lot of baked-on grease or grime, you can preheat it to around 200°F (93°C) for 5-10 minutes, then turn it off. This helps to loosen any stubborn grime.
#### **2. The Baking Soda Paste (Oven and Stove)**
For the oven and stove, start by creating a cleaning paste using **baking soda** and water.
– In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 2-3 tablespoons of water. Stir until you have a thick paste.
– If you’re cleaning a stove top, especially if it’s covered in grease, you can also add a small squirt of dish soap to the paste for extra cleaning power.
#### **3. Apply the Paste (Oven and Stove)**
– **For the oven**: Use a spatula or your fingers (with gloves) to spread the baking soda paste onto the inside surfaces of your oven, avoiding any heating elements. Be sure to cover areas with visible grease or baked-on food.
– **For the stove**: Apply the paste to the stove top, focusing on areas with grease stains and spills. Be extra careful around burners.
#### **4. Let the Paste Sit**
Let the baking soda paste sit for **15-20 minutes**. The paste will start to break down grime and grease, making it easier to wipe away. If you’re cleaning oven racks, apply the paste to them as well and let them soak in a sink full of warm soapy water for 15 minutes while you work on the oven.
#### **5. Scrub and Wipe**
– Use a **microfiber cloth** or **sponge** to scrub the surfaces. For stubborn spots or corners, use a **toothbrush** to get into the nooks and crannies. The paste should easily lift away grease and grime.
– **For the oven**: If there are any remaining spots, reapply the baking soda paste and scrub again. Don’t forget to clean the oven door, too!
– **For the stove**: After scrubbing, wipe away the paste using a damp cloth, and you should notice a significant reduction in grease and food residue.
#### **6. Rinse with Vinegar**
Once you’ve scrubbed away the paste, it’s time to rinse. **Vinegar** is a powerful cleaner that helps remove any remaining grease and baking soda residue.
– In a spray bottle, mix equal parts **white vinegar** and water.
– Lightly spray the vinegar solution over the oven and stove surfaces. It will bubble and fizz when it reacts with the baking soda, helping to lift any leftover grime.
– Wipe away with a clean microfiber cloth.
#### **7. Final Wipe Down and Dry**
After everything is wiped down, do a final once-over with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. This will remove any remaining moisture and give the surfaces a shiny, streak-free finish.
#### **8. Clean Oven Racks and Stove Grates**
For your oven racks and stove grates:
– After soaking the racks in soapy water, scrub them with a sponge to remove any grease and baked-on residue.
– Rinse thoroughly and dry before placing them back in the oven.
### **Bonus Tips for Keeping Your Kitchen Spotless:**
– **Use liners**: Consider using oven liners to catch spills and crumbs before they get baked on.
– **Wipe spills immediately**: As soon as a spill happens on your stove, wipe it up before it hardens or cooks into the surface.
– **Routine cleaning**: A quick wipe-down after every few uses will keep grease and food from building up in the first place, making deep cleaning less frequent.
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### **Why This Method Works:**
1. **Natural Ingredients**: Using simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap is not only effective but also safe and non-toxic for your home.
2. **No Harsh Chemicals**: This method doesn’t require any harsh chemicals or fumes, making it perfect for homes with kids or pets.
3. **Cost-Effective**: You likely already have these ingredients in your pantry, meaning you won’t have to spend extra money on commercial cleaners.
4. **Easy to Follow**: This method is straightforward and doesn’t require any specialized equipment, just a bit of elbow grease and patience.
5. **Deep Cleaning**: The baking soda paste works wonders on tough grease and grime, while the vinegar helps to break down residue and leave your surfaces shiny.
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### **Final Thoughts:**
A clean kitchen is the heart of a happy home, and with this easy, effective method, you can keep your oven and stove shining without the need for harsh chemicals. By using natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, you’ll not only achieve a spotless kitchen but also ensure that your appliances stay in top condition for longer.
No more dirt, no more grease—just a clean, fresh kitchen that you’ll love spending time in. Try this cleaning method today, and let your kitchen shine!
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Let me know if you’d like any more tips or tweaks to this method! 😊
